Helloworld shares have slumped nearly 10 per cent, with investors apparently not impressed with the travel group's dividend increase and 5.4 per cent increase in first half profit.
The company said it made $21.9 million after tax following business acquisitions the previous year, including Magellan Travel Group, Flight Systems Group and Asia Escape Holidays.
These acquisitions, which were completed between March and May last year, helped lift total revenue by 7.7 per cent to $182.2 million for the six months to December 31.
However, a strong Helloworld Australian retail division was partly offset by lower sales in New Zealand and other world segments.
The company's share price plunged on Monday's result, down 9.68 per cent to $5.60 at 1548 AEDT from a near nine-year high of $6.20 at Friday's close.
Helloworld shares were trading at $4.80 a year ago.
Helloworld, which provides international and domestic travel products and services to jet-setters around the world, said it was riding positive momentum and that it expects sustainable long term growth.
"In the second half of FY19, Helloworld Travel is focused on driving the business forward through profitable revenue growth, new revenue initiatives, maintaining cost control and extracting further efficiencies from its investment in technology developments, enhanced travel platforms, improved product offerings and increasing brand recognition," the company said in a release on Monday.
A rebranding initiative for the company's Australian retail division includes a media partnership with News Corporation and a Helloworld television show.
The travel distribution company reported underlying revenue growth in Australia was slightly lower in the second quarter period of trading.
Helloworld reported an interim dividend of 8.0 cents, fully franked, up from 7.0 cents the previous year.
HELLOWORLD HY PROFIT UP
* Net profit up 5.4pct to $21.9m
* Total revenue up 7.7pct to $182.2m
* Interim dividend of 8.0 cents per share, fully franked, up from 7.0 cents a year ago
