Healthcare services company United Drug posted a 13 per cent rise in first-half earnings today and said it expected strong profit growth in 2008.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the six months to the end of March rose to 12.13 cents from 10.73 cents a year earlier.
The Dublin-based wholsaler said it expected the strength of current trading to continue into the second half.
"The weakness in the value of sterling relative to the euro will continue to adversely impact on the translation of profits but full-year profits and earnings are still expected to show strong growth over the 2007 results," it said in a statement.
The company, which supplies drugs and medical equipment to pharmacies and hospitals here and in the UK, said it remained positive about the fundamentals of its core markets.
"We have the opportunity and internal resources to continue to expand both organically and through acquisition to continue the development of United Drug," it said.