Pre-tax profit hits €336m as shares soar to new high

INTERNATIONAL food and ingredients maker Kerry Group has delivered earnings per share at the upper end of market expectations for last year.

Pre-tax profit at the group hit almost €336 million, up 6% on the previous year.

In a tough trading environment, volume sales rose 2.2%, with ingredients up 2.9% while consumer sales were flat, reflecting tough trading conditions in both the Irish and British markets where its consumer division is focused.