Admiral Posts Upbeat H1 Profit, Lifts Interim Dividend

Admiral Group PLC AMIGY posted a surge in its first-half pretax profit. Admiral's pretax profit for the period rose 7% to GBP171.8 million, versus GBP160.6 million, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a pretax profit of GBP167.7 million. Net profit attributable to shareholders climbed to GBP128.1 million, versus GBP116.5 million. Admiral also lifted its interim dividend by 15% to 45.1 pence per share, versus 39.1 pence per share. Admiral shares gained 2.50% to close at $18.86 yesterday.