Breville lifts profit, flags uncertainty

Breville lifts first half profit four per cent, but the kitchen appliance maker warns that patchy global conditions will make future results unpredictable.

Kitchen appliance maker Breville has lifted half year profit four per cent but warns its future financial performance will be "unpredictable".

The company made a net profit of $30.8 million for the six months to December 31, up from $29.7 million a year ago.

Breville, which owns popular brands Kambrook and Ronson, boosted revenue by 12.7 per cent to $331 million.

It expects mid-single digit earnings growth for the full year, but has flagged patchy international economic conditions as a major challenge going forward.

"Given the continued sporadic business conditions across the globe, the group believes future financial performance will be relatively more unpredictable," the company said.

Breville's North America operations performed strongly thanks to sustained growth in the beverage and cooking categories, with revenue up 30.8 per cent on the previous corresponding period, or 10.9 per cent on constant currency basis.

But business in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) continues to face stiff price competition and rising costs stemming from the strengthening greenback. Revenue in ANZ slipped 2.8 per cent.

Chief executive Jim Clayton said Breville was working on new ways to improve the future profitability of this segment.

"The benefits of these initiatives will commence in the second half of the 2016 financial year," he said.

Breville's Sage brand in the United Kingdom, endorsed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, continues to build momentum and report solid growth.

BREVILLE BOOSTS BOTTOM LINE

* Net profit up 4pct to $30.3m

* Revenue up 12.7pct to $331.2m

* Interim dividend of 14.5 cents per share, up 0.5 cents


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Source: AAP


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