By Michele Maatouk
Date: Thursday 23 Jul 2015
LONDON (ShareCast) - (ShareCast News) - Breedon Aggregates posted a 92% rise in first-half pre-tax profit amid growing revenue, as the company said it looks set to beat market expectations for the full year.
Pre-tax profit for the six months to 30 June came in at £17.5m from £9.1m the previous year, on revenue of £160.5m, up 28% from £125.2m.
Underlying basic earnings per share came in at 1.29p from 0.73p, while net debt fell to £58.3m from £63m.
The company said it had enjoyed a strong trading performance, with 4.5m tonnes of aggregates sold versus 3.6m in the same period in 2014, 0.9m tonnes of asphalt sold compared with 0.7m and 0.4m cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete versus 0.3m.
Executive chairman Peter Tom CBE said: "Trading during the first half was strong, with both the underlying business and recent acquisitions performing ahead of our expectations. March was a record month for the group, with exceptional performances from both England and Scotland.
"Assuming that current trading conditions continue through the second half of 2015, we believe that market expectations for the year will be exceeded."
At 14:48, shares were up 1.9% at 53.50p.