First Active profits to rise

PROSPECTIVE takeover target First Active is expected to announce an increase in pre-tax profits of close to 9.4% for the first half of the year.

The former building society will announce its interim results on July 22.

Davy Stockbrokers are forecasting pre-tax profits of 33.3m and diluted earnings per share of 18.9c which represent growth of 9.4% and 4.8% respectively on the first half of 2001.