Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers Ltd WES.AX reported a 10.4 percent rise in first-half profit, defying a retail downturn on a strong performance of its domestic hardware business in its first results after spinning off supermarket chain Coles Group.
The company on Thursday reported net profit from continuing operations of A$1.08 billion ($773.28 million) for the six months to December, compared to A$978 million a year ago.
Revenue from continuing operations for the period rose 4.2 percent to A$14.39 billion.
($1 = 1.3966 Australian dollars)