"Performance" CHINA GAS HOLD's net profit for the half year is 1.334 billion yuan, a decrease of 24.2%, with an interim dividend maintained at 15 cents

CHINA GAS HOLD (00384.HK) announced its interim results for the period ending September this year, with a revenue of HKD 34.481 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 1.8%. Net profit was HKD 1.334 billion, a year-on-year decline of 24.2%; earnings per share were 24.73 cents. An interim dividend of 15 cents was declared, the same as the same period last year, with an option to receive shares in lieu of cash.

During the period, gross profit was HKD 5.506 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 6%, with an overall gross profit margin of 16%, down 0.7 percentage points year-on-year.

During the period, total natural gas sales volume increased by 1.7% year-on-year to 17.414 billion cubic meters. The number of new residential connections decreased by 25.2% year-on-year to 677,300 households, while new industrial connections fell by 7.8% to 1,213 households; new commercial connections dropped by 18.3% to 20,360 households