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Basic earnings per share rose 20%, from 5.5p to 6.7p, slightly below expectations of 7.37p. The firm increased its dividend payment for the year by 6% from 3.25p to 3.45p, ahead of forecasts of 3.43p.

"Our markets look set to remain challenging in the year ahead. To offset these macro headwinds we are taking action to deliver cost reductions and group synergies. We will also continue to generate further returns from our ongoing investment programme and through a renewed focus on operational performance," stated Dilnot.

The Netherlands remains the group's major revenue earning, with revenue up 5% to £380m from £362m the year before, while trading profit in this region rose 3% to £38.2m from £37.2m the year before. Belgium's revenue was flat at £172m while trading profit edged up to £11.0m from £10.8m while in the UK revenue rose £6m to £186m, while trading profit shot up 39% to £6.9m from £5.0m the year before.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation was up 4% (3% on a constant exchange rate basis) from £98.6m to £102.4m. Peter Dilnot, Group Chief Executive of Shanks, said: "Earnings growth has been driven by increasing returns from our strategic investment programme and focused management action to streamline operations. The strong performance from our UK, Organics and Hazardous Waste businesses has also offset difficult trading conditions in Benelux Solid Waste."

The old adage that where's there's muck, there's brass held true at Shanks Group, as the waste management firm delivered profits ahead of expectations. Underlying pre-tax profit in the year to March 31st increased by 10% (8% using constant exchange rates) from £35.2m to £38.8m, ahead of expectations of £37.65m, on revenues which rose by 5% from £717.3m to £750.1m. Excluding the positive effect of currency translation of £9m, revenue was 3% up on the prior year.

"With our strong balance sheet, our excellent track record of delivery and our great people, we remain well placed to win new work, particularly in our chosen growth markets, to strengthen the business both now and over the medium term, which will enable us to maintain our progressive dividend policy."

In a statement the firm said: "The group's trading performance remains in line with our expectations. In particular, our order books in Construction and Services remain robust and our net cash position remains healthy. "The positioning of our business, with a presence on nearly 90 frameworks across the group, together with our Property division increasingly providing good quality work to our other divisions, gives us a competitive advantage and balances the trading pressures of open market opportuni

In Services, the order book continues to provide long-term visibility of revenues, delivering an expected 4.5% operating margin. In the year to date it has secured awards totally £150m. The Property division has maintained its targeted 15% return on capital employed, while the Home business expects to complete over 600 news properties in the year, slightly ahead of previous forecasts.

Its Construction division has continued to be resiliant, the firm said, and maintained operating margins above two per cent. In the year to date the company has secured more than £400m-worth of new work and its order book of secured and probable work represents its entire forecast Construction revenue for the current financial year and 80% of its forecast Construction revenue for the 2013 financial year.

Construction, services and property group Kier shares were up after the firm said it remains on course to meet its expectations for the current financial year and is performing well in the current market.

In total its expects to open between 25 and 30 new restaurants this year with a strong pipeline developing for 2013 and beyond. It said the group's balance sheet remains strong and continues to benefit from good cash generation from its operations

Trading for the first 19 weeks has been strong with total sales 8% ahead of the previous year and like-for-like sales up 4%. Margins are in line with expectations. During the first 19 weeks the group has opened one new Frankie & Benny's restaurant, two new Garfunkel's and one new Pub restaurant. These sites are trading well and are set to deliver strong returns, it said in a statement.

Shares of Frankie & Benny's restaurant chain operator, Restaurant Group rocketed after it said since the end of February it has seen a significant uplift in sales with good growth in March, April and May to date. it is trading in line with expectations and is on track to report a strong first half performance.

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The interim dividend has been increased by 5% to 2.2p from 2.1p last year; Charles Stanley had expected the group to maintain last year's interim dividend. Chief executive Ralph Findlay said: "We have delivered a good performance in the first half of the year against a weak consumer backdrop."

Turning to current trading, the group said that LFL sales in its managed estates were up 2.4% year-on-year in the 32 weeks to May 12th, with LFL food sales up 2.7% and "wet" sales up 2.3% on a LFL basis. In the same period, tenanted and franchised profits are estimated to be up 3%, while volumes of Marston's-brewed beer have also grown.

Marston's has around 1,650 tenanted and leased pubs and a further 500 managed outlets. The managed estate grew revenues to £190.4m, up 5% over last year, while the franchise network grew a whopping 14% to serve a glass-definitely-half-full £98.1m in revenues. The Brewing operation, which makes Pedigree and Hobgoblin beers, saw turnover frothing at £53.6m, a 6.6% gain on 2010/2011.

The company resisted the urge to put up prices; instead growth came from increased volumes driven by two-for-one offers. Pre-tax profits for the period climbed 15% from the £29.2m at the interim stage of the prior year to hit £33.5m, ahead of the £30.9m forecast by Charles Stanley.

At the time of its last update, in mid-March, the group said LFL sales in the 23 weeks to March 10th were 3.5% ahead of last year in its managed estate, so sales growth picked up a bit in the second half of March. Group revenue was up 7.6% to £342.1m from £317.9m the year before, comfortably ahead of the £328.5m forecast by broker Charles Stanley.

Marston's, the pub and brewing firm behind the Pitcher & Piano chain, tasted impressive sales growth over the six months to the end of March as its food offering fed profits. Like-for-like (LFL) sales at its managed pub network were 3.6% higher than the same period in the prior year, with food leading the way, up 3.9%.