Australian supplier of pallets Brambles posted a bottom-line decline of 2.7 per cent for the first half ended on December 31, 2009 on account of sluggish sales in its key markets, the US, UK and Spain.

Net profit after tax dropped to $207.1 million from $212.8 million in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal.

However, the company was confident and positive about its outlook in the long-term. Chief Executive of the company Tom Gorman said, "The board is confident in Brambles' long term outlook for profitable growth."

Net income from continuing operations of the company also dropped 23 per cent to A$208.3 million missing the market expectations. However, sales of the group registered a slight increase of just one per cent to $2.09 billion from $2.07 billion.

Meanwhile, a point to be worried for the company was its expectations of losing some market value in the US due to a three per cent fall in pallet sales.

The company announced 12.5 per cent interim dividend for the period less than 17.5 per cent it announced for the same period in the previous financial year.