[SatNews] Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited has announced its 2010 interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2010.

Financial Summary

• Turnover — HK$689,776,000 — +27 percent
• Profit attributable to equity holders — HK$305,216,000 — +21 percent
• Earnings per share — HK$0.78 — +20 percent
• Dividend per share — HK$0.08 — no change
Operational Highlights
• Construction of new satellite AsiaSat 7 on schedule
• AsiaSat‟s in-orbit satellites continued to perform well
• Overall utilization rate remained stable at 65 percent
• Subsidiary SpeedCast continued to report revenue and profit growth
• New DTH TV joint venture DISH-HD Asia Satellite launched
• Secured significant DTH customer for AsiaSat 5

AsiaSat's Executive Chairman, Peter Jackson, said, “The first half of 2010 was encouraging and our core businesses continue to perform well. The recent global economic downturn had relatively low impact on our industry and on AsiaSat in particular. That said, while not being complacent, we have full confidence in the services we provide as well as in our core financial strength, debt-free balance sheet and market-leading position. These assets will serve us well in the future.”