Huntsworth plc announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the six months ended June 30, 2018. For the six months period, the company reported turnover of GBP 159,601,000 against GBP 111,949,000 a year ago. Revenue was GBP 102,184,000 against GBP 94,200,000 a year ago. Operating profit was GBP 11,170,000 against GBP 10,121,000 a year ago. Profit before tax was GBP 10,339,000 against GBP 9,183,000 a year ago. Profit for the period was GBP 7,715,000 against GBP 5,301,000 a year ago. Profit attributable to the company's equity shareholders was GBP 7,628,000 against GBP 5,301,000 a year ago. Basic and diluted earnings per share were 2.3 pence against 1.6 pence a year ago. Net cash outflow from operating activities was GBP 5,237,000 against net cash inflow from operating activities of GBP 3,063,000 a year ago. Purchases of property, plant and equipment was GBP 1,001,000 against GBP 887,000 a year ago. Adjusted profit before tax was GBP 10,982,000 against GBP 10,039,000 a year ago. Adjusted earnings
were GBP 8,699,000 against GBP 7,830,000 a year ago. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share were 2.6 pence against 2.4 pence a year ago. Net debt as on June 30, 2018 was GBP 38.9 million against GBP 26.8 million as at June 30, 2017. Headline operating profit was GBP 11.8 million against GBP 11.0 million a year ago. Headline basic and diluted earnings per share were 2.60 pence against 2.35 pence a year ago.

The group expects to see a good performance across the Group in the second half of the year 2018, which will be further enhanced by the first-time inclusion of Giant. This period will see the Group focus on the successful integration of this agency and an improvement in profitability in the Communications division. The group continues to have an active pipeline of small-scale M&A opportunities that it will monitor into the second half of the year. The balance sheet remains strong as it heads into the stronger cash-generating second half of the year. The Board remains confident in the full year outcome and the longer-term prospects of the Group.