Fosters reports loss

Brewer and winemaker Fosters Group Ltd has reported an 88% fall in its annual profits but declined to provide guidance for the 2009 fiscal year while the Australian company conducts a strategic review of its troubled wine operations.

Fosters posted a net profit for the fiscal year ending June 30 of AUS$111.7m (€65.2m), declaring a final dividend of AUS$14.25 cents (€8.32) per share, fully franked.