Alesco takeover hits DuluxGroup profit Paint maker DuluxGroup's first half profit has dropped 31 per cent because of costs from its takeover of building products and garage door supplier Alesco. DuluxGroup made a net profit of $32.9 million in the six months to March 31, down from $47.9 million in the same period the previous year. The result included $10 million in costs from its takeover of Alesco, which was finalised in December. DuluxGroup said conditions were soft during the six-month period, and likely would remain so for the remainder of its fiscal year. However, managing director Patrick Houlihan said the renovation sector, where the majority of its revenue comes from, was proving resilient to the downturn in the housing and construction markets. He has forecast a full year profit of about $89 million. DuluxGroup declared a fully-franked interim dividend of eight cents per share, up half a cent from the same time last year.