Wellington, April 24 - Australia's second-biggest brewer Lion Nathan Ltd reported a higher first-half profit on better beer sales and raised its outlook, underlining its attraction as a takeover target for its major shareholder.
The company said on Friday net profit rose 6.9 percent to A$176 million ($126 million) for the six months to March 31, and it expected full-year profit growth at between 12 and 16 percent.
Lion said its core Australian and New Zealand markets were weathering recession.
"Our core beer markets have remained robust despite the economic circumstances, with premium beer remaining attractive as an affordable luxury," said chief executive Rob Murray.
The forecast range for full-year profit was lifted to A$305 million to A$315 million from A$300-A$315 million.
On Thursday, Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings, which owns 46.1 percent of Lion, said it planned to make an offer for the rest of the shares it does not own.
Lion, maker of XXXX Gold and Hahn beer, and its bigger rival Foster's Brewing Group Ltd dominate the high margin Australian beer market, which is seen as appealing to Japanese brewers looking to expand beyond a shrinking home market.
Analysts have suggested the Kirin offer could be worth at least A$3.3 billion, based on the prices paid for other brewers and Japanese brewers' history of offering generous premiums.
Last year, Kirin offered to pay A$11.50 each for Lion Nathan shares as part of the funding for Lion's failed A$7.6 billion bid for Australian bottler Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd .
A media report on Friday said Kirin had made an initial proposal of A$11 a share, but Lion was seeking a better price. [nSYD384141]
First-half group earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were up 8.4 percent to A$307 million on a year ago, with Australia showing the strongest growth on higher tap beer sales and for its James Boag label, based in Tasmania, which it acquired in November 2007.
However, the company's wine business was struggling in the face of tougher economic conditions, particularly in the United States and Britain.
Lion Nathan shares, still on a trading halt pending the outcome of talks with Kirin, last traded on Wednesday at A$8.31.