Diverse interests see DCC profits up 14%

THE diversity of its business interests helped distribution and support services group DCC to a solid first-half performance, underlined by a near 14% rise in pre-tax profits and a 41% increase in group revenue, it claims.

The Dublin-based group — which is involved in a number of industries from healthcare and recycling to food and computer game console distribution — yesterday reported pre-tax profits of €50.5 million for the six months to the end of September, on a turnover of just under €3.2 billion. Group operating profit was up by 17.4% on a year-on-year basis, to €60.6m and adjusted earnings per share rose by 13% to 54.84c. There was also a 10% rise in the interim dividend for shareholders, to 22.61c.

The group’s energy and technology divisions were the best performing during the period, with the food and beverage arm the least productive in terms of performance.