Soap maker PZ Cussons has posted a 21% rise in first-half profit after sales of anti-bacterial hand washes surged in the wake of swine flu fears. Sales of its Carex range were significantly ahead of a year earlier amid greater consumer awareness of hand hygiene due to the outbreak last year.

The group said the outlook for the full-year was positive. “Overall performance since the (first-half) period end has been in line with management expectations. We remain cautiously optimistic for the full-year outturn and well placed to pursue further investment opportunities," Chairman Anthony Green said today.

Cussons said it made an underlying pre-tax profit of £44.7m for the six months to 30 November, compared with £36.9m in the same period last year. The group, which operates mainly in Britain, Nigeria, Australia and Indonesia, said revenue rose 0.7% to £369.9m.

NamNews - Tuesday 26th January 2010

 

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