British retailer Sainsbury (J) Plc (SBRY.L, JSAIY.PK) Wednesday said its profit before tax for the 28-week period rose 2.5 per cent to 405 million pounds from 395 million pounds last year. Underlying profit before tax increased 5.4 percent to 373 million pounds.
Basic earnings per share were up 4.9 percent to 17.0 pence from 16.2 pence, while underlying basic earnings per share grew 9.4 percent to 15.2 pence from 13.9 pence last year.
For 28 weeks, total sales, including VAT and fuel, rose 4 percent to 13.365 billion pounds from 12.848 billion pounds, while total sales, before VAT, but after fuel, grew 4.0 percent to 12.160 billion pounds. Like-for-like sales, including VAT and excluding fuel, grew 1.7 percent.
The group announced an interim dividend of 4.8 pence per share, up 6.7 per cent from last year's 4.5 pence per share.
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