Sports Direct H1 earnings rise 7 pct, boosted by flagships

LONDON, Dec (Shanghai: 600875.SS - news) 14 (Reuters) - Mike Ashley's Sports Direct reported a 7 percent rise in first-half adjusted earnings on Thursday, and said its new flagship stores, designed to move the discount brand up-market, were trading well.

The company, which has been criticised for its corporate governance regime, reported underlying earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation of 156.1 million pounds ($209 million) for the six months to 29 Oct (Shenzhen: 000069.SZ - news) , on group revenue up 4.7 percent to 1.71 billion pounds. ($1 = 0.7452 pounds) (Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)