Listed property company GPT Group is eyeing earnings per share growth of at least 3 per cent in full-year 2014 despite a fall in first-half profit.
Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders fell 6.4 per cent to $240.6 million in the six months to June 30, compared with the prior corresponding period.
The profit beat market expectations after analysts surveyed by Bloomberg tipped a profit of $228.8m.
Revenue slid 4.9 per cent to $444.1m in the half.
Over the first half the company reported earnings per share growth of 4.5 per cent on the prior corresponding period, but maintained its forecast for EPS growth of at least 3 per cent.
A key part of the company’s business, its funds management arm, delivered a 9.7 per cent return to the group. GPT hopes to grow its $4 billion funds management business by $10 billion over the next few years.
GPT chief executive Michael Cameron said the contribution to group earnings from its unlisted funds business was set to grow following several major acquisitions during the period totalling $1 billion.
“GPT expects to launch a Metropolitan Office Fund before the end of the year, while an industrial fund remains subject to the purchase of suitable assets from the market,” Mr Cameron said.
GPT will pay a dividend of 10.5c per stapled security in mid-September to shareholders who were on the register at June 30.
Mr Cameron noted improved conditions in the retail sector during the half, as well as signs of recovery in the Sydney and Melbourne office markets.
“While the value of the GPT portfolio increased by $30.8m, this was offset by the impact of asset sales in the second half of 2013 and a negative mark-to-market movement on derivatives,” he said.
The group also noted growth from $1.1 billion in acquisitions during the period.
The group was on track to meet its total return target of 9 per cent for the year, he said.
“GPT is in a good position as the team continues to work the portfolio hard to deliver consistent returns,” Mr Cameron said.
“There is the opportunity to add further value as the group completes a number of logistics developments and continues to deliver growth in funds under management.”
The group lengthened its debt expiry profile and further diversified its debt sources during the period.