Nichols profits jump 39%

 

Soft drinks group Nichols reported a 39% jump in first-half pre-tax profit, helped by a surge in Vimto sales.

The launch of Cherry Vimto in January contributed to a 38% rise in sales of the brand, which lifted the group's overall revenues for the period by 17.6% to £44.2m.

Nichols also continued to increase its market share. the company, which also makes the Panda and Sunkist brands, hiked its interim dividend by 10% to 4.45p.

Shares increased by 10.55p, or 2.55%, to close at 423p.