Retailer WH Smith Plc's (SMWH.L) six-month Group pre-tax profit rose 5% to 69 million pounds, from 66 million pounds, and Group profit from trading operations advanced by 4% to 77 million pounds, from last year's 74 million pounds.
Profit for the period totaled 57 million pounds, an increase from 54 million pounds a year back, with half-yearly earnings per share rising to 44.2 pence, from 40.0 pence in the prior-year period.
However, the firm clocked Group sales of 638 million pounds, versus the prior year's 665 million pounds, with like-for-like sales down 5%. Further, the board has declared an interim dividend of 9.4 pence per share, a 13% increase on last year.
Separately, WH Smith reported appointing Henry Staunton as Non-Executive Chairman and the retirement of Walker Boyd, the current Non-Executive Chairman. Henry Staunton would become Chairman on September 1, 2013. He joined the board on September 1, 2010 and is currently the Senior Independent Director.
He replaces Walker Boyd, as Chairman of WH Smith who would step down on August 31, 2013. Boyd would retire from the board as part of a programme to reduce his work commitments. Meanwhile, Drummond Hall would become the Senior Independent Director, effective September 1, 2013.
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