Telstra H1 Profit Up 8.8%

Telstra

reported an 8.8% rise in its first-half net profit. Telstra's net profit for the period surged to 1.6 billion Australian dollars (US$1.65 billion), from A$1.47 billion, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a profit of A$1.59 billion. Telstra shares closed at $23.69 yesterday.