Greencore Posts Rise In Profit

Greencore Group PLC (ADR) GNCGY reported an increase in its earnings for the 26 weeks ended March 27. Its operating profit jumped to £40.1 million, versus £37.2 million in the year-ago period. Greencore's pretax profit for the half year surged 14 percent to GBP26.3 million, versus GBP8 million in the year-earlier period. Its revenue gained 6.5 percent to GBP639.8 million. Greencore announced its plans to pay an nterim dividend of 2.4 pence per share, a 9.1 percent gain year-over-year. "The group delivered good financial and strategic progress in the first half of the year," Chief Executive Officer Patrick Coveney said.