* FY headline EPS from continuing ops down 43 percent
* Restructuring charges, strong rand hits profit
* Shares rally 4 percent
(Adds analyst comment, share price)
By Serena Chaudhry
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 16 (Reuters) - South African industrial group Barloworld expects 2010 to be challenging after posting a drop in full-year profit on Monday, hit by restructuring charges and a stronger domestic currency.
Barloworld, which represents leading international brands such as Caterpillar earthmoving machines and Avis car hire, said headline earnings per share from continuing operations for the year to end-September fell 43 percent to 351 cents, in line with its own forecast range of 40-50 percent.
Revenue fell 10 percent to 42.2 billion rand ($5.65 billion) and operating profit -- after charges related to a black economic empowerment deal -- fell 25 percent to 2 billion rand.
The group declared a total dividend of 110 cents per share for the year, down from 250 cents a year ago.
Barloworld's shares rallied 4 percent as investors cheered the firm for posting no surprises, analysts said. By 0745 GMT shares rose 4.10 percent to 51.74 rand, ahead of a slightly firmer JSE Mid-cap index.
"The result is largely in line with our expectations. They proved resilient in tough economic circumstances, particularly in their southern African businesses, they performed really well," a Johannesburg-based industrials analyst said.
"But obviously tough circumstances in the foreign operations, showing they couldn't escape the full impact of the economic downturn ... It looks like it will be another tough year for them."
Barloworld said its southern African and Australian motor retail operations had increased their market share in the year and its Avis car rental business improved its margin.
Trading conditions in its international operations were challenging and restructuring charges of 139 million rand, mainly in Iberia, dented profit, the firm said.
It expected the construction sector in Iberia to remain under pressure because of oversupply in the residential market. It is also trying to sell its Scandinavian car rental business.
Barloworld has suffered as recession hits car sales and slows demand for earthmoving equipment products, but a building boom ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup has helped cushion the blow.
The company said it expected the construction market in South Africa to be slow in 2010 despite support from demand in public infrastructure projects.
The firm said it expected its car rental business to remain under pressure in the first half of its new financial year, but said the build up to the World Cup would help boost business in the second half. ($1=7.472 Rand) (Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)