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LONDON (Alliance News) - James Halstead PLC on Friday posted an increase in profit for the first half of its financial year, in what was described as a "satisfying" period.
For the six months to the end of 2018, the commercial floor coverings manufacturer posted pretax profit up 3.3% to GBP24.5 million from GBP23.7 million a year ago.
Revenue however remained flat at GBP126 million.
"We have supplied flooring to installations as diverse as the Spence Copper Mines in the Atacama Desert in Chile to the Hard Rock Cafe in Guyana and with profits growth, increased cash and new ranges developing well - a satisfying first half, cemented with a record interim dividend," Chief Executive Officer Mark Halstead said.
Furthermore, the firm upped its interim dividend 3.9% to a "record" 4.00 pence per share from 3.85p a year ago.
Looking ahead, the company said it has seen a good sales increase in sales since the beginning of the second half, increasing market penetration and giving it confidence of "continued progress through 2019".
James Halstead shares were trading up 2.9% at 460.00 pence each early Friday morning.
