Australia's Myer Holdings dives on annual profit slump, dividend cut
Sept 20 (Reuters) -Shares of Myer Holdings MYR.AX tanked as much as 12% on Friday to hit their lowest levels in more than a month, after the Australian mid-cap retailer posted a drop in annual profit and also halved its dividend payout.
The departmental store chain reported a net profit after tax of A$52.6 million ($35.78 million) for the fiscal year 2024, down 26% from the previous corresponding period, due to closure of stores and cost pressures.
Customers have increasingly cut down on discretionary spending, as savings take a hit due to inflationary pressures and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook.
"Today's results reflect the challenging macroeconomic environment for Australian retailers," Myer Executive Chair Olivia Wirth said.
The company said in a statement that the underperformance of its wholly owned fashion label sass & bide, and Marcs and David Lawrence brands, accounted for half the decline in its fiscal profit.
Myer also cut its final dividend to 0.5 Australian cents apiece, down from 1 AU cents declared in fiscal year 2023.
The company's stock was trading at A$0.770 apiece, as of 0100 GMT, underperforming a 0.5% rise in the benchmark index .AXJO. More than 3 million shares changed hands, about twice the 30-day average.
"We are laser-focused on improving our profitability, performance and shareholder returns," Mirth said.
The company said the due diligence process for a potential combination with Premier Investments' PMV.AX apparel brand business is underway, and will look to postpone its investor strategy session, which was initially scheduled for October.
($1 = 1.4699 Australian dollars)
Reporting by Archishma Iyer in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips
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