Haw Par ointments soothe Q2 earnings

HAW Par Corp's ointments do not just soothe sore muscles, they also keep a company growing, even when its aquarium attractions are hurting.

The maker of Tiger Balm muscle rubs posted a 10.2 per cent increase in its second-quarter net profit as its growing health care business and higher dividends from investments offset declines in its leisure and property arms.

The company earned S$59.5 million or 27.2 cents per share in the quarter ended June. That took six-month net profit to S$71.7 million, a 16.2 per cent increase from the year-ago period.