Webjet takes off with profit boom

 

webjetWebjet shares are flying high after the online travel group lifted its half year profit by 60 per cent.

Webjet made a net profit of $9.1 million in the six months to December 31, up from $5.6 million in the same period a year earlier.

The company’s integration of Hong Kong and Singapore’s leading online travel agency Zuji helped to lift revenue by 64 per cent to $52.2 million, while earnings rose 45 per cent to $12.3 million.

Webjet shares were up 58 cents, or 23 per cent, at $3.08 at 1156 AEDT.

John Guscic, CEO, said investments in cloud technology, marketing and product development had resulted in clear success in the first half of the 2013/14 financial year.

“We have delivered exceptional results following the transformation and integration of Zuji and major margin improvement in the core business,” he said.

But he said it was too early in 2014 to make any change to the company’s full year financial guidance, Guscic said.

Webjet has previously forecast full year earnings of $21.5 million.

The company plans to extend Zuji into Chinese language sites across Asia throughout 2014, while continuing to release exclusive deals in Australia.

Webjet will pay shareholders an interim fully-franked dividend of 6.25 cents per share, up from six cents 12 months earlier.

AAP

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.