Kerry to continue acquisitions in 2012

Kerry Group is likely to make further acquisitions this year on the back of a strong 2011, which saw the business generate a record trading profit of over €500m.

The Tralee-headquartered diversified food group reported a good set of full-year figures yesterday broadly in line with analyst projections. Revenue was up by 6.9% to €5.3bn, while 2011 also saw Kerry generate adjusted pre-tax profits of €449.1m, which constituted a year-on-year increase of nearly 11% .

Adjusted earnings per share rose by over 11%, to 213.4c; with a final dividend of 22.4c being declared, bringing the total 2011 dividend for Kerry’s shareholders to 32.2c — nearly 12% higher than 2010’s payment.