Singtel's first-half underlying profit rises 14%

Singapore Telecommunications Z74 posted a 14% rise in first-half profit on Wednesday, boosted by robust performance from its Australian unit Optus and regional associates.

Southeast Asia's largest telecom firm said underlying net profit was S$1.35 billion ($1.04 billion) for the six months ended September 30, compared with S$1.19 billion last year.

That was slightly below Visible Alpha consensus estimate of S$1.37 billion.

($1 = 1.2942 Singapore dollars)