Aug 12 (Reuters) - Rail operator Aurizon Holdings Ltd AZJ.AX on Monday reported a 13% decline in full year underlying net profit after tax, hurt by increased maintenance expenditure and depreciation costs, but flagged it expects higher earnings this year.
Underlying net profit after tax fell to A$473.3 million ($320.8 million) from A$542.1 million a year earlier, however the coal hauler's result was better than analysts' estimates around A$445.5 million, according to Refinitiv data.
($1 = 1.4756 Australian dollars)