CSL H1 Profit Up 24%

CSL CMXHY reported a 24% rise in its first half profit. CSL's net profit for the period surged to US$626.9 million, from US$504.3 million, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a profit of US$602.5 million. CSL announced its plans to pay an interim dividend of 50 U.S. cents per share, versus 37.57 U.S. cents per share in the previous year. CSL shares closed at $29.69 yesterday.