DCC cuts growth estimate over mild weather

Energy-focused support services group DCC has lowered its full-year profit guidance, despite seeing a strong first-half performance.

The Dublin-based group, which has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since last year, yesterday reported a 6.4% increase in operating profit (before exceptional items) for the six months to the end of September, to £73.2m (€93.2m).

Adjusted earnings per share were up by 7.2% to 62.53p, net profit was 3.1% ahead of the previous year’s first half at £60.3m, and group revenue showed a near 2% annualised jump to just over £5.5bn.