 shares of coles group ltd colax gain as much as 25 to a1716 their highest since jan 11  australias secondlargest supermarket chain posted betterthanexpected h1 profit as it controlled pandemic costs and its earnings were boosted by lockdowndriven consumer spending read more  net profit after tax fell 2 to a549 mln 3948 mln but beat jefferies estimate of a517 mln  expenses moderated lately after spending a30 mln in covid19 costs in january  barrenjoey says coles seems to have managed a difficult trading period well relative to woolworths  as results are more or less as expected  a solid clean result with the key supermarket and liquor businesses both better than expected due to higher margin  jefferies  delays to melbourne ocado dc was probably expected outlook statement mixed and will need clarification  barrenjoey  stock down 67 this year as of last close reporting by arundhati dutta and harish sridharan in bengaluru