By MarketWatch
LONDON--Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC (FSTA.LN) Friday said first-half profit before tax rose 16% while recent trading was boosted by the Rugby World Cup.
The brewing company increased the interim dividend for the six months to Sept. 26 to 6.9 pence from 6.4 pence a year earlier as pretax profit climbed to GBP21.2 million ($32.4 million) from GBP18.3 million. Revenue rose 10% to GBP177.7 million.
"We have had a strong first half with all areas of the business in growth, demonstrating the clear trading momentum underway in the business," said Chief Executive Simon Emeny.
"The second half of the year has started well, with a number of our pubs--particularly in West London--benefiting from a boost during the Rugby World Cup," he added.
Comparable revenue from managed pubs and hotels rose 5.8% through the first 33 weeks of the year.
Write to Ed Ballard at ed.ballard@wsj.com
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