New Zealand Refining interim profit up 7.5%
Margins up but squeezed by high New Zealand dollar.
Margins up but squeezed by high New Zealand dollar.
New Zealand Refining Company (NZX:NZR) has reported an interim net profit after tax of $31 million for the six months ended June 30, 7.5% up on the same period last year.
The company increased its revenue to $157.9 million, up 16.9% on the same period last year.
In the first six months of the year, margins averaged $US6.56 per barrel.
As a result, NZ Refining has been able to strengthen its liquidity position substantially, reducing debt from $86 million at the beginning of the year to about $54m at the end of June.
However, margin gains have been countered by the weakening US dollar, which has had a “marked” impact on the company’s processing fee revenue.
Since January, the dollar has ranged from 74c to 89c, averaging 78c during the six month period to June.