A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Gallaher increases market share
The Gallaher cigarette group issued its results for the half-year to end-June yesterday, stating it had slightly increased its market share in the Republic to 49.3 per cent, an increase of 0.3 per centage point. It said the underlying market in the Republic was broadly flat.
Overall the group grew volume sales to 82.1 billion cigarettes, making market gains in the CIS, Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark. Group EBITA was up 1.8 per cent, to £225 million (€333 million).
CRH director exercises options
CRH director Declan Doyle has netted a gain of nearly €400,000 after exercising options on group shares and then selling some back into the market.
Mr Doyle, managing director of CRH's European materials operation, exercised options over 54,549 shares at a price of €6.53 each, a total of €356,461.35. He then sold 32,500 shares at a price of €23, giving an overall profit of €391,038.65 on the deal.
Mr Doyle retains 183,629 shares in the group.
LVMH posts 11% rise in profit
The world's biggest luxury goods group, LVMH, posted an 11 per cent rise in first-half operating profit, but net earnings took a hit from the closure for renovation of its flagship Parisian department store.
And while volume sales growth for exclusive lines such as Louis Vuitton handbags and Moët & Chandon champagnes remains strong, LVMH said on Wednesday group earnings had also taken a €150 million currency hit during the period.
Operating profit topped the billion-euro mark for the first time in the period to come in at €1.09 billion. But at €559 million, first-half net earnings fell short of analysts' predictions as LVMH took a provision of €147 million for the closure of its landmark Samaritaine store on the banks of the river Seine. Unspecified redundancy costs will be taken in the second half, it said. - (Reuters)
Apple launching smaller iPod
Apple Computer said yesterday that it would introduce a new iPod digital music player called the nano, which would hold up to 1,000 songs and be thinner than a standard pencil.
Two versions of the new player, costing $199 (€160.26) and $249, would begin shipping immediately, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said. - (Reuters)
Accenture names managing director
Management consultancy firm Accenture announced the appointment of Mark Ryan as its new managing director in Ireland. Mr Ryan (46) has been a partner of the firm since 1996 and head of Accenture's financial services operating group since 1999. He is a science graduate of Trinity College Dublin.
Imprint nearly triples earnings
Imprint, a firm controlled by the entrepreneur Pierce Casey, reported a pretax profit of £1.9 million (€2.81 million) in the six months to the end of June, up from £0.5 million in the same period of 2004.
The executive recruitment firm, based in London, boosted turnover in the same period to £22 million, up from £3.6 million in the first six months of 2004.
Imprint generated net fee income of £14.4 million in the first half of 2005, up from £3.3 million in the first half of 2004.
The company, which is listed on the alternative investment market in London, reported adjusted earnings per share of 10.9 pence.
