Group Highlights
· Sales increased 1% organically
· Trading margin improved to 9.0%
· Profit before tax (management basis) up 4%
· Reported profit before tax was £212 million (2014: £224 million)
· Earnings per share up 1%, impacted by an increased tax rate of 24% (2014: 22%)
· Interim dividend increased 4% to 2.9 pence per share
· Free cash flow of £21 million (2014: £19 million)
· Net debt of £708 million (31 December 2014: £624 million), reflecting normal seasonality
· Acquisition of Fokker Technologies and placing announced separately today.
