GUD expects trading earnings around & #36;63m

GUD expects trading earnings around $63m in fiscal 2009 to be around the same level of earnings from continuing businesses last year. GUD, which owns the Sunbeam electrical appliance brand and last month announced the sale of its iconic Victa lawnmower business, on Thursday booked an annual net profit of $37.4 million for fiscal 2008, up 11.1 per cent on the prior year. The company declared a final dividend of 38 cents per share, up from 34 cents in the prior corresponding period. The total dividend for the year was 68 cents, compared to 61 cents in fiscal 2007. GUD managing director Ian Campbell said the company was strongly positioned to sustain earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) from its continuing businesses despite the competitive and less certain macro environment. "Our objective for trading EBIT for the full 2009... [read full story]