TRANS HEX BOOSTS EARNINGS

SOUTH African diamond miner Trans Hex reported a 18.3% increase in headline earnings per share (excluding exceptionals) to 80.3 cents in the six months to September 30, the company said this week. Trans Hex – the world’s second largest alluvial diamond producer after De Beers – raised its dividend 16.7% to 14 cents. The company said the outlook for global diamond demand remained buoyant for the remainder of the fiscal year. It said higher fuel costs were having an impact on its operations. Shares in the firm closed up 9.55% at 860 cents on the Johannesburg bourse before the release of the financial statement. – Reuters

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