Australian slot machine giant Aristocrat Leisure Limited has announced a half-year net profit after tax of AU$346 million (US$269 million) for the six months to 31 March 2021, driven by strong recovery in its key United States and Australia-New Zealand markets.
The company’s 1H earnings guidance revealed a 12% year-on-year increase in normalized net profit to AU$412 million (US$320 million) and a 6% increase in normalized EBITDA to AU$750 million (US$583 million).
Profit growth was due to exceptional product performance and customer engagement coupled with stronger than expected consumer sentiment and economic conditions in the United States and ANZ region, Aristocrat explained.
“These results reflect the fact that we have the right strategy and made the right choices to sustain our investment in outstanding people and product, customers, talent and culture throughout the COVID-impacted period,” said Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker.
“As a result, we have continued to take share and maintained our leadership of key Gaming markets and segments, while also growing our share in Digital games, where we are now a top five game publisher in tier 1 Western markets.
“We expect economic conditions across key markets over the full year to remain uncertain, as a result of ongoing COVID-driven volatility. We are closely monitoring key factors including consumer sentiment, gaming venue patronage and currency headwinds.
“We will continue to rigorously execute our strategy over the second half of fiscal 2021, with increased investment in D&D, UA to support new game launches and existing games and strategic capabilities that will sustain our longer term growth.”
