(Adds CEO comment, details)
July 29 (Reuters) - South Africa's third biggest bankBarclays Africa Group Ltd reported a 7 percent rise inhalf-year profit on Friday, a slower growth rate as risinginterest rates at home hit consumption and investment spending.
* Diluted headline earnings per share, South Africa's mainprofit measure, increased 7 percent to 856.7 cents in the sixmonths ended June 30 compared with a growth rate of 11 percent ayear earlier.
* "In South Africa, business confidence remains weak, andthe combination of weak job growth, higher inflation and risinginterest rates have placed a strain on consumer finances," ChiefExecutive Maria Ramos said in a conference call.
* Ramos said Barclays Plc, which owns a majoritystake in Barclays Africa, exploring strategic and capital marketoptions to reduce its shareholding in Barclays Africa.
* Declared a 2 percent higher interim dividend of 460 centsper share
* Credit impairments increased 46 percent to 5.2 billionrand ($367.06 million) resulting in a 1.29 percent credit lossratio from 0.97 percent.
* Revenue grew 13 percent to 36.5 billion rand, as netinterest income increased 14 percent and non-interest incomerose 10 percent.
* Net interest margin (on average interest-bearing assets)improved to 4.97 percent from 4.7 percent. Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: ($1 = 14.1668 rand) (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Barclays (BARC)
