Carillion enjoyed strong first half

Carillion's first half was strong, buoyed by reaching financial close on the £12bn Allenby Connaught PPP and excellent progress on the integration of Mowlem.

In a trading statement issued to the Stock Exchange this morning, the group revealed its order book has jumped from £7bn at the end of 2005 to around £13bn at the end of last month. £4.9bn from Allenby Connaught is included in the order book already.

The integration of Mowlem is "progressing well" with cost synergies running ahead of original targets. Carillion sold three non-core Mowlem businesses during the half: Charter, Edgar Allen and MESG.

Cash generation "remains strong" and net debt was under £130m at 30 June.

Carillion's interim results will be announced on 6 September.