Spark raises dividends as underlying profits improve

(Telecompaper) New Zealand operator Spark reported revenues for its fiscal year to June down 2.9 percent to NZD 3.531 billion, as growth in mobile and IT services revenues was offset by the continued decline in calling and access revenue. EBITDA from continuing operations rose 2.8 percent to NZD 962 million, helped by a 5 percent fall in operating costs, and net profit increased 16.1 percent to NZD 375 million. Including discontinued operations, net profit was down 18.5 percent following a