Spanish discount retailer DIA has recorded an increase in first-half profit, boosted by a “good business performance” in Iberia, Argentina and Brazil.

Net earnings in the six-month period amounted to EUR61.7m (US$75.8m), an 18.5% increase on the prior-year period, the retailer reported today (2 August).

Dia attributed the increase to the “good performance of operating income” in Iberia, Argentina and Brazil, with Spain in particular recording a 6% improvement in sales to EUR2.41bn, “despite a challenging economic context”.

Adjusted EBITDA in the period climbed 11.5% to EUR260.6m, while net sales grew 4.8% to EUR5.01bn.