Funeral services provider Dignity plc (DTY.L) reported 6.6% higher pre-tax profit of GBP 24.3 million versus GBP 22.8 million a year ago.
Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders were GBP 17.2 million or 27.0 pence, up from GBP 16.2 million or 25.5 pence a year before.
During the period, underlying profit before tax was GBP 24.0 million, up 5.7% from 22.7 million last year.
First-half underlying earnings per share rose 5.1% to 26.6 pence from 25.3 pence in the prior year.
Half-yearly revenues grew 5.5% year over year to GBP 100.9 million from GBP 95.6 million.
The group declared an interim dividend of 4.43 pence per share, representing a 10% year on year increase. The dividend will be paid on October 29 to shareholders on the register at close of business on September 29.
"This is a good performance by the Group. The operating performance in the first half of 2010 is more consistent with the average of the last five years than last year. As expected, the operating performance in all three businesses in the second quarter of 2010 was very strong compared to the prior year. Our expectations for the full year continue to be positive and remain unchanged," said Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity.
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