Consultant posts £23m pre-tax profit for first half of 2008, with turnover up 40%

Consultant WSP has reported a 43% profit rise and a record order book in its half-year results.

The company posted pre-tax profit of £23m for the six months to 30 June. Turnover was £363.5m, up 40% on last year.

It said its June order book stood at £1.2bn, up from £900m in December, and had been boosted by public-sector transport contracts and international project awards, particularly in the Middle East.

The board said it was confident that key transport and infrastructure markets would remain “largely unaffected” by the financial turmoil and that the company would continue to perform in line with expectations.

“Notwithstanding the wider economic uncertainties, the group is in a strong position, with good momentum in its many varied markets, which we believe will present us with excellent opportunities in the future,” said the group.

The interim dividend rose 25% to 5p.

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