Half Yearly Report/Accounts

Document date:  Thu 24 Apr 2003
Published:  Thu 24 Apr 2003 08:27:15
Document No:  203518
Document part:  E
Market Flag:  Y
Classification:  Half Yearly Report , Half Year Audit Review , Half Year Directors' Statement , Half Year Accounts , Dividend Record Date , Dividend Pay Date , Dividend Rate 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP       2003-04-24  ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Melbourne                                                     

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HIGHLIGHTS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JOHN MCFARLANE

HALF YEAR RESULTS

                                         CHANGE          MAR '02

Net profit after tax   $1,141 million    up 8.7%         $1,050m
Earnings per ordinary 
share                      72.0 cents    up 8.6%         66.3 cents
Cash EPS                   74.0 cents    up 10.4%        67.0 cents
Interim dividend           44 cents      up 12.8%          39 cents

* Net specific provisions, improved to $259 million, from $366
million
* Return on ordinary shareholders equity weakened to 20.3%, from
21.6%

Half year results excluding significant transactions 1

                                        CHANGE            MAR '02

Net profit after tax   $1,141 million   up 7.0%           $1,066m
Earnings per ordinary 
share                      72.0 cents   up 6.8%          67.4 cents
Cash EPS                   74.0 cents   up 8.7%          68.1 cents
Return on ordinary
shareholders' equity          20.3%     down 1.7%          22.0%
Cost to income                45.6%     down 0.9%          46.5%

1. Significant transactions during half year ended 31 March 2002 were
NHB recovery ($159 million after tax) and special provision for
doubtful debts ($175 million after tax)

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