Food group Kerry has reports pre-tax profits of €162.3 milion for the first half, compared to €115 million a year earlier.
The company said sales revenue increased by 6.7 per cent to €2.4 billion during the period, while trading profits rose 12.9 per cent to €204 million.
Revenue in the group's ingredients and flavours division rose by almost 4 per cent to €1.8 billion, while profits increased 9.3 per cent to €164million. Revenues in the consumer foods division was unchanged at €885 million, while profits were up 4 per cent at €63 million.
Adjusted earnings per share grew 19.3 per cent to 80.2 cent while a 14.3 per cent higher interim dividend of 8.8 cent has been declared.
The company also increased its earnings guidance for the full-year.
“Kerry delivered strong profitable growth in the first half of 2010, growing continuing business volumes by 5.8 per cent on a group-wide basis," said chief executive Stan McCartney.
"Based on our strong performance to date in 2010, we now expect to achieve mid-teen growth in adjusted earnings per share for the full year,” he added.
