UK builder reveals dividend boost

Construction company Costain announced its first dividend payment in 17 years today after hailing a recovery in fortunes for the firm.

The Maidenhead-based firm – builder of the Thames Barrier – will pay out £3.1m (€4.04m) in dividends after all its divisions returned a profit for the first time since 1990.

Shares soared almost 13% on the news as Costain also unveiled pre-tax profits of £19.8m (€25.8m) for 2007, recovering from losses of £61.7m (€80.6m) the previous year.