Admiral Group Hikes Dividend, G4S Net Swings to Profit

Nigel Thomas
13 Aug, 2014
New York City

G4S net swung to profit of

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – G4S net swung to profit of £85 million after revenue jumped 4%. Admiral Group profit climbed 5% to £144.4 million but revenue fell 2%. Lookers net surged 40% to £29 million on 23% increase of revenue. Michael Page net soared 9% from a year ago to £24 million.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index rose 0.4% or 24.26 to 6,656.68 and in Frankfurt the DAX index climbed 1.6% or 129.41 to 9,198.88.

In Paris, CAC 40 index gained 0.8% or 32.63 to 4,194.79.

G4S Plc jumped 2.9% to 267.43 pence after the U.K.-based security services provider said revenue in the first-half ending in June climbed 3.8% to £3.37 billion from £3.25 million a year ago period.

Net in the period swung to profit from a year ago to £85 million compared to a loss of £192 million and diluted earnings per share swung to 5 pence from a loss of 14 pence.

Admiral Group Plc declined 5.7% to 1,368.02 pence after the U.K.-based automobile insurance company said group revenue in the first-half ending in June fell 2.2% to £444.6 million from £454.8 million a year ago period.

Profit in the period jumped 5.4% from a year ago to £144.4 million compared to £137 million and diluted earnings per share rose to 52.7 pence from 50 pence.

Lookers Plc jumped 2.1% to 335.70 pence after the U.K.-based new and used vehicles provider reported revenue in the first-half ending in June soared 23% to £1.60 billion from £1.24 billion a year ago period.

Net profit in the period surged 39.7% from a year ago to £29.05 million compared to profit of £20.8 million and diluted earnings per share increased to 7.43 pence from 5.25 pence.

Michael Page International Plc slipped 1.1% to 441.90 pence after the U.K.-based recruitment consultancy company reported revenue in the first-half ending in June increased 1.8% £512.22 million from £503.25 million a year ago period.

Profit in the period soared 9.4% from a year ago to £23.5 million compared to £21.4 million and diluted earnings per share rose to 7.5 pence from 7 pence.