Arif Habib Securities Limited (AHSL) posted Rs 872.900 million profit after taxation for the six months ended December 31, 2004. This profit of Rs 872.900 million translates into an EPS of Rs 43.65 as compared to Rs 852.949 million (EPS Rs 106.62) profit announced by the company during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 2.34 percent.

The company attributed the burgeoning operating revenue for this increase, which jumped by staggering Rs 193.054 million or 101.00 percent to Rs 384.194 million from the previous Rs 191.139 million of the last year.

However, the net capital gain on investment dropped by 60 percent to Rs 182.832 million against Rs 459.581 million last year. The negative repercussions of this decrease were partially offset by an increase in net gain due to change in market value of investment which moved up by 44.65 percent from Rs 278.191 million during 1HFY04 to Rs 402.413 million.

The AHSL has already given a 100 percent interim dividend to its shareholders.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005