australian coal miner new hope corp said it returned to firsthalf profit and declared a special dividend after benefiting from a jump in commodity prices the company reported a net profit of 3304 million australian dollars us244 million for the six months through january it recorded a loss of a554 million in the same period a year earlier directors declared an interim dividend of 17 australian cents a share as well as a special dividend of 13 australian cents both dividends are fully franked that reflected its significant cash build the nearterm price outlook and the companys generous franking credit balance new hope said revenue more than doubled on the yearearlier period new hope said enabling it to fully repay debt from operational cash flow the miner reported an increase in average realized prices to a19238 a metric ton from a7798 a ton a year earlier prices rose over the half to a closing realized price of a23666 a ton new hope said the miner said it also benefited from costcontrol measures it had been implemented in response to earlier weakness in prices new hope said it expects demand for highquality loweremission thermal coal to remain strong in the short to medium term because supply is constrained this ongoing shortage is expected to keep prices at levels not previously experienced said new hope coupled with disciplined cost control ensuring operating costs remain in the lowest cost quartile in comparison to other seaborne thermal coal producers the company will continue to generate exceptional shareholder returns