Gaming and hotel group Sun International on Tuesday released results for the six months to December, as it continued to benefit from an upbeat economy, higher disposable incomes and lower borrowing costs.

The group said fully diluted headline earnings per share for the period had increased by 61 percent compared with the year earlier period to 252 cents.

Revenue for the period under review grew by 15 percent to R2.512-billion and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was better by 21 percent at R809-million.

The group realised an increase of 33 percent in net profit from R223-million in the 2003 interim period to R297-million for the 2004 interim period.

The interim dividend was doubled to 90 cents.

The group attributed the results to strong casino revenue growth, improved operating margins and lower borrowing costs.

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