Telecom Plus Share News (TEP)

UK multi-utility supplier Telecom Plus reported an 11 per cent hike in customer numbers during the first quarter and expects first half profit to be better than last year.The group, which provides fixed-line telephone, broadband internet, gas and electricity services, said the increase was helped by strong distributor recruitment levels.The number of distributors climbed 6% in the quarter ended June 30th to 39,848."We have seen a strong start to the current quarter, supported by a short-term promotion launched at the start of July," the company said in a statement.Telecom Plus said its mobile business is growing particularly well, with annualised growth running at more than 34%.Chief Executive Andrew Lindsay said: "Confidence within our distribution channel remains high, and we anticipate further strong organic growth over the coming months.""Profits for the first half are expected to be modestly ahead of the corresponding figures for last year, and we look forward to reporting record figures for turnover, profits, earnings and dividends for the full year, in line with market expectations."CJ