Kathmandu shares rise as retailer lifts forecast profit 42pc KATHMANDU has surprised the market with an interim profit upgrade, propelling shares in the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer to a 12-month high yesterday. The company said a combination of strong sales in the first quarter and a "satisfactory trading performance" in December and last month would lift first-half net profit to between $NZ9.5 million ($7.7m) and $NZ10.5m -- potentially 42 per cent higher than its interim profit last year, which came in at $NZ6m.