Kingfisher weathers B&Q pressure

B&Q owner Kingfisher today forecast a 20% rise in annual profits after strong international growth offset continued tough trading in the UK.

The group expects adjusted pre-tax profits for the year ending last month to be at the top end of City expectations, which range from £661m (€784.6m) to £672m (€797.7m), after strong sales in countries such as Poland and Russia.