Pilkington Reports Best First Half Performance For A Decade

Pilkington plc has turned in its best first half year results for a decade with a turnover of £1.47bn, an increase of 8% over 2000. Operating profits before goodwill amortisation were £156m, showing an increase of 10% with the impact of exchange rates changes being minimal. Profit before tax, after deducting a goodwill charge of £5m and exception items of £13m (restructuring and redundancy costs), was £102m against £79m in the first half of 2000. Earnings per share before exception items increased by 21% to 5.1 pence.