NZ's Mainfreight posts profit, pays dividend

WELLINGTON May 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand transport group Mainfreight Ltd MFT.NZ said on Thursday annual profit before one-offs was NZ$40 million ($25 million), on par with prior year.

The company, which has cargo handling businesses in New Zealand, Australia, Britain, the United States and China, declared a full year dividend of 18.5 cents a share, compared with 18 cents last year.

Shares in Mainfreight closed on Wednesday at NZ$4.90. The stock is marginally firmer so far this year, compared with a near 2 percent rise in the benchmark top 50 index .NZ50. ($1=NZ$1.62)