SING Tao Holdings yesterday reported a 73.6 per cent rise in profit before extraordinary items to $168.64 million for the six months to September 30. However, the publishing group posted an extraordinary loss of $9.2 million representing professional and other fees relating to restructuring of the company's indebtedness. Profit attributable to shareholders was $159.43 million and an interim dividend of 10 cents a share will be paid. Turnover rose 13.4 per cent to $1.09 billion from $963.9 million and earnings per share were 54.3 cents, compared with 31.3 cents previously. The company said the operating profit of $305 million reflected the strong performance of its newspaper publishing business in Hongkong. Its newspapers operation in Hongkong, its overseas newspapers and the commercial printing business contributed operating profits of $214.3 million, $27 million and $52.4 million, respectively. The company said the Sing Tao Daily had benefited from a strong demand from property developers in China advertising properties for sale to Hongkong people.