Independent News & Media posted a 14.7 per cent rise in adjusted earnings per share today and said it was confident of delivering double-digit full-year earnings growth.
Independent News, reporting under new financial accounting standards for the first time, said fully-diluted EPS, climbed to 6.7 cents in the six months to the end of June from 5.9 cents in the same period last year.
Operating profit before exceptional items grew 12.4 per cent to €141 million.
"The board remains confident of your group's ability to deliver double-digit full year earnings growth for 2005 and to sustain superior earnings growth into the future," Sir Anthony O'Reilly said in a statement.
Chief Operating Officer Gavin O'Reilly said this growth would be in the mid-teens this year and that the group's operating margin should reach 19 percent by year-end from 17.6 percent at the half year.
