First Active growth gets a warm welcome

FIRST Active's declaration that core growth will increase by 20% this year drew positive responses from stockbroking analysts yesterday who recommended different tactics to shareholders.

First Active has been one of the star performers of the Irish Stock Exchange this year with the shares increasing in value by 65% in 12 months at a time when the overall value of the market has fallen by 27%.

Yesterday, the company said: "We expect growth in core operating profit before tax for the full year of approximately 20%."