Kathmandu Holdings' shares jumped to their highest level since April after the retailer said annual profit rose as much as 13 per cent on faster sales growth across the Tasman and new contributions from its Oboz Footwear acquisition.
The outdoor equipment chain said normalised net profit was $55.5-$57 million in the year ended July 31, up from $50.5 million a year earlier, with total sales up 9.6 per cent at $545 million.
The audited results will be released in September. Same-store sales increased 0.6 per cent on a constant exchange rate basis as a 2.7 per cent increase in Australia offset a 3.9 per cent decline in New Zealand.
"We were particularly pleased with the second half performance in Australia, given we were cycling strong growth in our key winter period last year. New Zealand conditions were challenging," chief executive Xavier Simonet said.
"Oboz, acquired in April 2018, continued to deliver strong sales and ebit (earnings before interest and tax) growth in 2H, with continued progress anticipated in FY2020 and beyond."