Perpetual said its net profit in the six months ended December 31 jumped 10 per cent to $64.4 million but its revenue dropped 2 per cent to $239.7 million. It will pay a fully franked dividend of $1.25 per share, up from $1.15 last year.
Volatile equities markets were a drag on the performance of Perpetual Investments, the funds management business, during the period compared to the previous corresponding period. The company said Perpetual Investments' profit before tax was 57.2 million, $3.1 million or 5 per cent lower last year.