Ebos shares drop 4pc in first half

Shares in medical and dental products company Ebos group fell 4 per cent after the company reported an 18 per cent drop in first half profit.

Turnover was up almost 5 per cent to $150.3 million compared to the corresponding period in 2005. Before finance costs, profitability was down 13 per cent on the previous year to $7 million and net profit after tax was $3.8 million.

Ebos chairman Rick Christie said the company had traditionally not provided profit forecasts but he expected a stronger second half result.

An interim dividend of 9.5 cents per share was declared. The company expected to introduce a dividend reinvestment plan to coincide with its annual result. Ebos shares fell 25c to $5.40.