UK bookmaker William Hill said first-half profit rose 9.9 per cent, boosted by an "outstanding" World Cup soccer tournament and growth at the company's online betting division.
Net income climbed to £64.5 million in the 26 weeks ended June 29th, up from £58.7 million in the
prior-year period.
The London-based bookmaker, which has more than 2,300 shops, said revenue increased 12 per cent to £8.64 billion.
The company had its best-ever World Cup, with total winnings of £32.2 million beating its forecast, the statement shows. That was partly offset by a loss at the Royal Ascot horseracing festival.
Chief executive Ralph Topping said the World Cup was a good performer for the chain. "It was in the right time zone for us," he said. "It's the way the tournament panned out."
Online net revenue advanced 24 percent and the division, which was created a year ago, continued to perform "strongly" in the first seven weeks of the second half.
The company plans to pay a first-half dividend of 2.5 pence per share, unchanged on the same period last year.
"We are on track to deliver against the board's expectations for the full year but we remain cautious moving
into 2011 given the ongoing consumer uncertainty," Mr Topping said.
Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation, excluding one-time items, rose 1 per cent to £135.6 million, in line with the company's July 20th forecast of £135 million.
Bloomberg