Spirent Communications H1 Profit Falls; Ups Dividend By 10%

(RTTNews) - Spirent Communications plc (SPT.L, SPM) Thursday reported lower profit for the half year, with a decline in revenue, reflecting the lower order book at the start of 2013 and near-term caution in capital spending by customers.

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the parent Company was $13.4 million or 2.07 cents versus $38.7 million or 5.86 cents last year.

Profit before tax stood at $14.5 million, compared to $52.8 million in the prior year.

Revenue came down to $190.4 million, compared to $236.1 million a year ago.

The company said board has declared an interim dividend of 1.53 cents per Ordinary Share, an increase of 10 per cent.

The company also said July order intake levels have been satisfactory combined with key new product launches, giving confidence in the performance for the third quarter.