Leading building materials firm CRH has this morning raised its pre-tax profit by a higher-than-expected 71 per cent in the first half of the year.
CRH, one of the world's top four suppliers to the building trade, said pre-tax profit in the six months to the end of June climbed to €275 million from €161 million in the same period last year.
In guidance last month, the firm had said it expected pre-tax profit of around €261 million.
The company identified strong demand for new houses, better weather and acquisitions, for the strong performance.
"With the improved trading outlook the board has decided that a higher ongoing annual dividend increase is appropriate and accordingly has decided to raise the interim dividend by 17 per cent," CRH said in a statement.