SHAW Brothers, the flagship of film mogul Sir Run Run Shaw, has posted a 29 per cent leap in profits.
This was ahead of market expectations at $228.6 million, compared with $177.5 million for the previous year to March 31.
Analysts had been expecting a slightly more modest, though still very respectable, 19 per cent growth in profits to $211 million.
Directors have proposed a final dividend of 23 cents a share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 30 cents a share.
Earnings per share were 57 cents, against 45 cents previously.
Company secretary Daniel Yuen said this year's profits were buoyed by a number of big movie successes, including Justice, My Foot and Casino Tycoon II.
He also put the healthy rise down to increased dividend payments from 34.5 per cent-owned subsidiaries Television Broadcasts (TVB) and TVE (Holdings).