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Elders Monday 17 May 2021 2021 Half - Year Results Announcement Elders delivers $ 73.8M Underlying EBIT , up 40 % on PCP , and determines an increased dividend of 20c per share ( 20 % franked ) Elders Limited ( ASX : ELD ) today released its half - year results for the six months to 31 March 2021 . Elders reported statutory net profit after tax ( NPAT ) of $ 68.2 million and underlying earnings before interest and tax ( EBIT ) of $ 73.8 million , a 40 % increase on 1H20 . Elders also announced a partially franked ( 20 % ) interim dividend of 20c per share , up from 9c ( fully franked ) at the previous half year . The results reflect growth across all state geographies and product lines . Retail Products was particularly strong , due to both sales growth and margin improvement as Elders ' own brand share of crop protection and animal health product sales increased largely as a result of the company's backward integration strategy . Elders ' wholesale business , AIRR , continues to deliver above pre - acquisition expectations , generating $ 29.3 million ( $ 17.4m pcp ) gross margin . Elders ' Agency , Real Estate and Financial Services businesses also delivered solid growth , supported by strong livestock and property prices and positive farmer sentiment . Feed and Processing Services experienced decreased margin during 1H21 , mostly due to pricing pressure on feeder cattle at Killara Feedlot . Elders ' rolling 12 months return on capital ( ROC ) of 20.1 % was 2.1 % up on 1H20 , and above the hurdle of 15 % set in the new , three - year Eight Point Plan . Financial Metric 1H21 Result ( $ m ) 1H20 Year - on - Year Change Result ( $ m ) $ m % Sales revenue 1,100.5 900.2 200.3 22 % Statutory profit after tax 68.2 52.0 16.2 31 % Underlying profit after tax 67.0 47.5 19.5 41 % Underlying EBIT 73.8 52.8 21.0 40 % Underlying return on capital ( % ) 1 20.1 % 18.0 % n.a 2.1 % Operating cash flow 23.9 27.4 ( 3.5 ) ( 13 % ) Underlying earnings per share ( cents ) 42.9 31.2 11.7 38 % Interim dividend per share ( cents ) 20.0 , 20 % franked 9.0 , fully franked Elders ' Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mark Allison attributed the strong financial results during the period to the achievement of a number of key strategic initiatives . “ Elders ' recent acquisitions , backward integration strategy and customer focus combined with the resilience of our supply chains positioned us well to capitalise on favourable growing conditions and livestock prices , " Mr Allison said . 1 Return on capital = Rolling 12 months Underlying EBIT / ( working capital + investments + property , plant and equipment + intangibles ( excluding Elders brand name ) - DTL on acquisitions - lease liabilities - provisions ) Elders Limited ABN 34 004 336 636 . Registered Office : Level 10 , 80 Grenfell Street , Adelaide SA Australia 5000