Halfords Group Posts Rise In Profit, Lifts Dividend

Halfords Group Plc HLFDY reported a rise in its profit for the 53 weeks to April 3 and lifted its dividend. Halfords Group's pretax profit for the year climbed to 83.8 million pounds ($128.7 million), versus a year-ago profit of GBP72.6 million. Excluding items, the company's profit before tax gained to 84.1 million pounds from 72.8 million pounds. EPS jumped to 33.3 pence versus 28.2 pence. Its revenue surged to GBP1.03 billion from GBP939.7 million. The company's board declared a final dividend of 11.0 pence per share, versus 9.1 pence last year.