Alfred McAlpine profits up 23% to £14.8m

Alfred McAlpine, the infrastructure, construction and business services group, has recorded pre-tax profits of £14.8m today (Thursday) - a 23% rise on the 2002 figure.

Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2003 also reveal that earnings per share rose 34% to 10.7p (2002: 8.0p) and interim dividends leapt 10% to 4.5p (2002: 4.1p).

Oliver Whitehead, chief executive of McAlpine, said: " McAlpine is making very encouraging progress. We have had a successful first half and we remain focused on creating a robust group that operates in markets, which offer sustainable, long-term growth in earnings.

"Looking to the future, the prospects for the group remain good. We are on track to deliver a robust performance for the full year in line with expectations. Overall, our markets remain resilient and offer good prospects for growth."

Since the start of 2003, McAlpine has been structured into three business streams to reflect its market sectors. They are: business services for the outsourced management of business support functions; capital projects for design and build of UK civil engineering and accommodation schemes; and infrastructure services for the maintenance and replacement of utility, local authority and highway assets.