Macquarie Group have recovered strongly since bottoming out to fresh 12-month lows in October, and have continued to trade higher after reporting an interim half-year net profit of $2.3 billion, which is a -13% decline on its previous half-year period, but +13% percent higher than the half-year profit it reported this time last year - benefits of its diversified source of earnings helping a lot within a challenging environment. Looking forward, Macquarie Chief Shemara Wikramanayake said the company would maintain “a conservative approach” but was on the lookout for investment opportunities for its $30 billion in “dry powder”.