The guidance boost, up from a previously forecast $10-12 million in net profit after tax for this financial year to $12-14 million, equated to potential growth of 45-70% on the previous year NPAT of $8.25 million.

“Strong margin growth in the energy division has been the primary driver of the group’s performance in the first half although we expect that margins from that business will moderate in the second half,” WDS said yesterday.

“The operating environment in the coal sector continues to be particularly challenging, which has impacted on the mining division’s contribution to the group during this period, with little expectation for improvement in the remainder of financial year 2014.”