Ardagh Plc - Report And Financial Statements To December 1997

Turnover at £21.5m increased by 6% on last year while Group trading profits at just over £3m rose by 5.5%. Profit after interest received of £603,000 and a taxation charge of £613,000 was just over £3m which represents an increase of 11.6% on last year. This was a very satisfactory performance and reflects some improvement in market demand and an increase in market share. However, as anticipated, the surplus capacity throughout Europe is beginning to impact on prices. The Board announced an interim dividend of 1.300p per share to be paid on 10th April 1998, to those shareholders on the Register at the close of business on 20 March 1998. This represents an increase of 12.6% on the interim paid last year.