Support services and construction company Carillion has reported a 17% increase in the first half of this years pretax profit and said it is on track to achieve a rise in earnings for the full year.

Philip Rogerson, Chairman, commented: "Carillion continued to perform strongly in the first half of 2009. A high quality order book, a resilient business mix, strong positions in our chosen market sectors and a robust balance sheet continue to underpin our expectation that, despite challenging market conditions, Carillion will deliver materially enhanced earnings in 2009."


The firm said its Middle East construction services performed strongly and its is on track to increase revenue from £464 million in 2008 to around £600 million by the end of this year following successful expansion in Abu Dhabi.

Alfred McAlpine integration cost savings are also coming through - increasing from £15 million in 2008 to £35 million in 2009 and to £50 million per annum in 2010.

(CD/GK)