Flight Centre expects 4pc rise in net profit for first half

SYDNEY - Travel agent Flight Centre Ltd expects to post a pre-tax profit of between A$55.3 million ($62.8 million) and A$57.3 million for the first half, and a 4 per cent rise in net profit.

The company said the result excluded a one-off gain of A$22.4 million from the sale of its Brisbane headquarters.

Adjusting for other one-off items in the previous corresponding period's result, the company said the first half net profit was likely to be up to 4 per cent increase on the underlying trading performance in the previous first half.

Total transaction value increased by 10.4 per cent for the half year ending December 31, 2006.

Final results are expected to be released on February 22.

- AAP