Acal plc provided group earnings guidance for the first half ended September 30, 2016 and fiscal full year 2017. For the first half, the group expects to report further good progress with double digit growth in underlying operating profit as anticipated. Orders were 18% higher than the previous year, and sales 10% higher. In the Design & Manufacturing division, sales were 24% higher and in Custom Distribution 2% lower.

The company's outlook for the year remains unchanged.

For the first half, the group organic orders and sales were 1% and 8% lower respectively. The business continues to perform well despite the general economic uncertainty. As anticipated and reported in July, first half organic sales were slower. However, as gross margins have remained robust along with tight cost control, profitability levels have been maintained.