ASX H1 Profit Down 2.5%

ASX (OTC:

) reported a 2.5% drop in its first-half profit. ASX's net profit for the period fell to A$171.1 million Australian dollars (US$175.5 million), from A$175.6 million, in the year-ago period. Its underlying profit declined 5.3% to A$171.1 million, from A$180.7 million, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting underlying profit of A$168.3 million. Its cash market revenue dropped 18% to A$54.9 million. ASX also announced its plans to pay an interim dividend of 87.9 cents, versus 92.8 cents in the year-ago period. ASX shares closed at $38.01 yesterday.