By Max De Haldevang
LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - British property consultancySavills Plc said property markets in the UK and Asiawere strong as it reported a 40 percent profit rise for thefirst half of 2013.
The company said on Thursday underlying profit before taxgrew to 26 million pounds ($40.3 million) in the six monthsthrough June from 19.7 million in the same period last year, onrevenue up 13 percent to 399 million.
Savills, which competes with CBRE Group Inc andJones Lang LaSalle Inc, said its first-half performancehad also been helped by restructuring and reinvestment incontinental Europe, reducing losses there.
The group said it expected no change in its overall outlookfor the rest of 2013, but performance in Hong Kong was predictedto slow after the government increased stamp duty.
"Savills has delivered a strong first half performance inline with our expectations as a result of our strength in key... markets in the UK and Asia Pacific and a continued reductionin losses in continental Europe," Group Chief Executive JeremyHelsby said.
Dublin, Germany, France and possibly Spain would be theprime areas of growth over the coming 12 to 18 months, Helsbyadded.
Shares in Savills, which have increased 35 percent since thestart of the year, were trading up 0.2 percent at 631.5 pence by0736 GMT.