JB Hi-Fi Ltd's stock soared 5.18% during intraday trading on Monday, following the release of its fiscal first-half financial results.
The retailer reported earnings per share of AU$2.797, beating analyst expectations of AU$2.75, with revenue reaching AU$6.09 billion compared to AU$5.67 billion a year earlier. Sales momentum continued through the second quarter, with The Good Guys business performing particularly well against tough year-ago comparisons. The company also reported robust gross margins, indicating strong supplier support.
In addition to the strong earnings, JB Hi-Fi announced an increased interim dividend of AU$2.10 per share, up from AU$1.70 a year earlier, and revealed a board decision to raise the dividend payout ratio from 65% to a range of 70-80% of net profit after tax. Analysts viewed the results positively in what they described as a tricky retail environment, noting that the outcome was good amidst weaker updates from other retailers.