Kerry group announce half year results

Kerry Group has reported interim results for the half year ended 30 June 2007 and the appointment of chief executive designate.

These include sales revenue of €2,332m, an increase in trading margin from 7.2% to 7.4%

Trading profit growth is up 6.2% to €172m while adjusted earnings per share up 7.1% to 58.8%.

Commenting on the results Kerry Group chief executive Hugh Friel said: "During the first half of 2007, Kerry delivered solid organic growth across all Group businesses and territories. Group food ingredients and consumer foods businesses generated 5.6% organic revenue growth and 20 basis points margin improvement.

"We have successfully managed continued input cost inflation through cost recovery and business efficiency programmes and expect a good outturn for the full year."