Seek profit rises 11.5% in first half: Midday roundup

Employment group Seek announced an 11.5% increase in first-half profit this morning.

The company said in a statement net profit for the first half was $67.5 million in the six months to December 31, while total revenue increased by 32% to $275.3 million.

In a statement, the company also said earnings from the Australian and New Zealand employment businesses remained flat at $120.9 million.

“This was another record half year result that was achieved despite weak macro-conditions and a re-investment focus in our international businesses,” chief executive Andrew Bassat said in a statement.

Australian shares open well

Australian shares opened positively this morning after the Dow Jones closed 53.9 points higher at 14035.67 last night.

The S&P/ASX200 benchmark was up 17.3 points at midday to 5099.2 at midday.

Mining companies BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are down $0.42 and $0.98 respectively as the entire materials sector struggles.

Jeep the latest company targeted in company Twitter hacks

Hackers have been at it again, this time posting on the Jeep company Twitter page the company has been “sold to Cadillac”.

Yesterday Burger King’s Twitter declared the company was to be sold to McDonald’s after they too were hacked.

The hackers devised a new motto for the Jeep brand: “Just empty every pocket”.

Shortly after the account was compromised, Jeep regained control of their Twitter, posting: “Hacking: Definitely not a #Jeep thing. We’re back in the driver’s seat!”

The hack came as Apple also confirmed some of its users had been hacked due to a software vulnerability. The company announced an update to address the problem.