LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - British online grocer Ocado on Tuesday reported a 11.4 percent rise in first halfcore earnings and reiterated its target of signing a firstagreement with an overseas retailer during 2015.
The firm said that in the 24 weeks to May 17 it madeearnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation(EBITDA) of 38.2 million pounds ($60 million).
That compared with analyst forecasts of about 36 millionpounds and is up from 34.3 million pounds made in the sameperiod last year.
Ocado, whose range includes products supplied by upmarketgrocer Waitrose, said gross retail sales rose 15.7percent to 511.9 million pounds, having been up 15.2 percent inits first quarter.
"Discussions continue with multiple potential internationalpartners to adopt Ocado Smart Platform with (a) target to sign(a) first agreement in 2015," the firm said.($1 = 0.6361 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young)