Adjusted pre-tax profit from continuing operations up 6% to 60.8m (2011/12: 57.5m) on revenue up 6% at 298.1m (2011/12: 280.0m).
Organic growth at constant currency: Profit up 3%, Revenue up 3%.
Strong growth in Asia Pacific and Australasia with revenue up 17% including 32% growth in China. Good overall revenue performance in developed regions, with USA up 19% offsetting weaker demand in UK and Europe
Health and Analysis and Industrial Safety Sectors performed strongly with double-digit profit growth. Infrastructure Sensors profit marginally lower - Elevator Safety reorganisation completed on schedule.
High level of returns maintained: Return on Sales of 20.4% (2011/12: 20.5%), Return on Total Invested Capital of 16.4% (2011/12: 16.9%) and Return on Capital Employed of 71.6% (2011/12: 68.8%).
Three acquisitions and one disposal completed during the period, acquisition pipeline remains healthy.
Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations up 5% to 12.34p (2011/12: 11.75p). Statutory earnings per share up 25% to 13.14p (2011/12: 10.52p).
Interim dividend of 4.06p per share, up 7% (2011/12: 3.79p).
Net debt of 74m at period end (March 2012: 19m). Borrowing facilities of 260m in place until 2016, providing significant financial capacity for further organic growth and value adding acquisitions.
Andrew Williams, Chief Executive of Halma, commented:
"Halma made good progress during the period, achieving record revenue and profit and strong returns.
Our focus on building strong positions in markets with sustainable, long-term growth drivers such as Health and Safety regulation, increasing demand for healthcare and the need for life-critical resources (including energy and water) is providing both resilience and opportunities to grow. Order intake continues to be slightly ahead of revenue and Halma remains on track to make further progress in the second half of the year."
