Telstra's half-year profit soars by 26 per cent

Telstra plans to cut almost 500 workers in an attempt to "remain competitive". Photo: AAP

8:57am, Feb 16

Live

Telstra has posted a 26 per cent increase in first-half profit, driven by momentum from its mobiles business and the Digicel Pacific acquisition.

Net profit for the six months to December 31 rose to $934 million, up from $743 million a year ago.

Total income rose 6.4 per cent to $11.58 billion, while underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) climbed 11.4 per cent to $3.9 billion.

“We are a growing business with a lot to be excited about in our future, and our T25 strategy provides a clear road map to get us there,” CEO Vicki Brady said in a statement.

The telecommunications giant will lift its interim dividend by 6.3 per cent from a year ago to a fully franked 8.5 cents a share.

– AAP