Downer EDI back on track as profit lifts 24pc DOWNER EDI has returned to form by delivering a better than expected interim profit, reiterating full-year guidance and surprising the market with a return to dividends. The contractor yesterday posted a 24.1 per cent jump in underlying net profit after tax to $105.5 million for the six months ending December 31, beating market expectations, while underlying earnings before interest and tax came in at $180.8m, up 12.7 per cent.