LIU Chong Hing Investment yesterday reported a 4.09 per cent rise in profit attributable to shareholders to $153.49 million for the six months to June 30. Directors said most of the profit came from the sustained strong performance of Liu Chong Hing Bank and sales of previously completed properties. Turnovers for Liu Chong Hing Bank and Liu Chong Hing Finance are excluded from Liu Chong Hing Investment's turnover as they are exempted under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. Turnover fell 41.48 per cent to $138.99 million. Earnings per share rose to 40.23 cents. Directors have declared an interim dividend of 18 cents a share. Managing director Liu Lit-mo said the group had diversified into China on the banking side by opening a Liu Chong Hing Bank branch in Shantou and on the property side by acquiring a 600,000 sq ft site in Chiu Chow, Guangdong province, for a multi-phase property development. In Hong Kong, Liu Chong Hing Bank is opening two branches, at Kwong Tin Estate and Tak Tin Estate in Kowloon.
