Feb 8 (Reuters) - AGL Energy Ltd AGL.AX , Australia's biggest power producer, on Thursday reported a 27 percent rise in half-year underlying profit, benefiting from soaring electricity prices.
Underlying profit for the six months ended Dec. 31 rose to A$493 million ($385.5 million) from A$389 million a year ago. Analysts at Citi had forecast an interim profit of A$500 million.
AGL reaffirmed that it expects underlying profit for fiscal 2018 between A$940 million and A$1.04 billion. company raised its half-year dividend to 54 Australian cents a share from 41 Australian cents a year ago. ($1 = 1.2789 Australian dollars)