SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Australian rubber products maker Ansell Ltd ANN.AX said on Monday it had received several expressions of interest for its condom business, as it reported flat profits for the half-year ended Dec. 31.
Ansell in August flagged the possible sale of its profitable condom-making business, sending shares soaring, despite an earnings hit then from foreign exchange fluctuations. have received multiple expressions of interest with several parties now advancing in a process supported by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS)," Ansell Chairman Glenn Barnes said in a statement.
Half-year profit was $69.8 million, Ansell said on Monday in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange. That compared with $69.6 million previously. Earnings per share were 47.7c, tracking slightly behind full-year guidance of between $1 and $1.12, although the company reaffirmed that guidance.
The company declared an interim dividend of 20.25c, edging higher than 20c a year ago.
The company reports in U.S. dollars, so all figures are in that currency.