NZ's Hallenstein Glasson H1 profit down 7 percent

WELLINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - New Zealand clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson Ltd. (HLG.NZ: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Wednesday reported a 7 percent fall in first half net profit due to tough trading conditions.

The company, which has mens and womens clothing stores in New Zealand and has expanded into women's fashion in Australia, posted a net profit after tax of NZ$9.2 million ($7.4 million) for the six months to Feb 1, down from NZ$9.9 million a year earlier.

Shares in Hallenstein Glasson last traded up 4 percent at NZ$3.65, having traded between NZ$3.35 and NZ$5.15 over the past year.

It declared a dividend of 17 cents a share, unchanged from last year.

On Jan 25 the company said it expected a half year profit around NZ$9 million, after sales for the first half ran about 2 percent behind last year. ($1=NZ$1.24)