INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE 26 WEEKS ENDED 30 MARCH 2013
Increased interim dividend reflects full year confidence
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
· Group revenue - £358.1 million (2012: £342.1 million).
· Underlying operating profit - £66.6 million (2012: £67.6 million).
· Underlying PBT - £27.6 million (2012: £33.5 million), reflecting higher finance costs.
· Underlying earnings per share - 3.8 pence per share (2012: 4.7 pence per share).
· Innovative £101 million long-term financing - extends maturity of Group debt.
· Interim dividend - up 4.5% to 2.3 pence per share (2012: 2.2 pence per share).
· Current trading - good start to H2, which will benefit from £12 million profit initiatives.
