Outsourcer Capita reports strong half-year sales and profits

Outsourcer Capita saw half-year sales jump 20% in the six months ended 30 June, and its year-on-year operating profit rose 18%.

The firm said sales were £1.18bn and it posted profits of £140.6m. As a result, Capita increased its interim dividend by 20% to 4.8p per share.

Operating margins, however, were down, dipping to 11.9% compared to 12.1% a year ago.

The firm won new and renewed major contracts worth a total of £626m in the first six months of the year.

The second half of the year has also started strongly, with a further £187m of new and renewed contracts secured in July 2008, said Capita.

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