** Next up 2.3%, second top FTSE 100 riseras posts 7.1% rise in H1 profit
** PBT £347.1 mln v £343 mln est flagged by one broker inthe pre-market & v £324.2 mln in same period last yr
** Group also reiterates FY outlook
** Stock back up at levels seen end last week, beforedeclining amid Exane BNP Paribas downgrade (broker more cautiouson investment cases predicated on UK consumer strength) &downbeat UK retail data
(RM: tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)