Earnings doubled at Swank

OPTICAL goods manufacturer Swank International Manufacturing has turned in a 117 per cent rise in first-half profits to $30.89 million.

Earnings per share for the six months ended June were 11.1 cents.

Turnover rose to $365.04 million from $295.22 million a year earlier.

Directors have proposed an interim dividend of three cents a share.

Company chairman Lam Yin-sang said profit contribution of new retail outlets in China was minimal at this stage, but he expected retail sales on the mainland would become one of the group's major sources of revenue in the next few years.