Hochschild Mining HOC is increasing its interim dividend by 42% for the six months to the 30th June, as the exploration pogramme starts delivering exciting results. Attributable gold production for the half year rose by 14% and silver by 8%. Adjusted basic earnings per share were up by 67%. Record gold production at Immaculada helped to make the first half a strong one. The rise in the price of gold during the first half was offset by a fall in the price of silver but still led to an 8% rise in revenue.
Balfour Beatty plc BBY saw basic earnings per share rise five fold from 2p to 10.1p per share during the six months to the 29th June and the interim dividend is to be increased by 33%. Underlying operating profit increased by 69% to £66 million from £39.m in 2017. and the order book rose by11%.
Hikma Pharmaceutical HIK was another first half winner, producing a performance which exceeded expectations. Operating profit rose by 54% in the six months to the 30th June, after group revenue rose by 11%. Basic earnings per share were up by 53% and the interim dividend is being increased increased from last years 11 cents to 12 cents per share.
CLS Holdings plc CLI claims delivery of robust and disciplined first half growth with profit before tax for the six months to the 30th June falling from 119.4 m. last year to 64.9m this year. Basic earnings per share collapsed from 24.5% to 14.9%. As can often happen in these circumstances growth is limited to the dividend which is being increased by 7.3% to 2.2p per share. The Executive Chairman pronounces that the strong half year results underline the benefits of the company’s geographical diversification across Europe’s three largest economies, the UK, Germany and France.
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