Hayleys six months PBT- Rs. 3.6 billion

Hayleys PLC has reported profit before tax of Rs. 3.6 billion for the six months ending September 30, 2011; nearly triple that of the first half of 2010-11.

Improved operational indicators in most key sectors of business and substantial capital gains from disposal of investment by some group companies were contributors to this performance.

According to interim financial statements filed with the Colombo Stock Exchange, the Blue chip conglomerate's profit after tax of Rs. 3.1 billion for the six months reflects a growth of 3.6 times over that of the corresponding period of 2010-11.

Profit attributable to equity holders of the company quadrupled from Rs. 502.4 million for the first half of 2010-11 to Rs. 2 billion for the six months reviewed.

Group turnover increased by 25 percent to Rs. 31 billion.

Commenting on the Group's results for the half year, Hayleys Chairman Mohan Pandithage said: "All key business sectors with the exception of Textiles have either improved their performance or made worthwhile contributions."

Hand Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Products made significantly higher contributions to Profit.

The Transportation and logistics and the Purification sectors also made worthwhile contributions to performance.

The stabilisation of operations at the Group's textile manufacturing company Hayleys MGT Knitting Mills PLC is taking longer than envisaged, Pandithage said.