News: Aurizon H1 profit surges, puts knife to costs

.

Aurizon Holdings Limited (ASX:AZJ) has significantly improved its interim profit and detailed plans to generate savings of $100 million next year and beyond. 

The rail haulage company’s net profit surged 188 per cent to $308 million in the first half of the 2015 financial year. 

Aurizon has maintained its coal haulage outlook for the full year and is aiming to achieve between 210 million and 220 million tonnes.

The cost cutting program is expected to contribute significantly to achieving enterprise financial targets by looking at structures, resources and processes.

An unfranked interim dividend of 10.1 cents per share has been declared, rising 26 per cent from the year before.