Feb 19 (Reuters) - Australia's Telstra Group TLS.AX on Thursday posted a 9.4% rise in its half-year profit, supported by steady contributions from its mobile business, while cost-cutting initiatives further boosted the company's bottom line.

The country's top telecom firm reported profit attributable of A$1.12 billion ($788.03 million) for the six months ended December 31, compared to A$1.03 billion logged last year.

($1 = 1.4213 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Shivangi Lahiri and Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))