Marshalls (MSLH) is expected to confirm that profits are growing as a result of the economic upturn when it announces first-half results on Thursday. The building materials and landscape specialist has already revealed that revenue from continuing operations grew by 15 per cent to £180m in the first half.
Sales growth has been particularly pronounced in public sector and commercial end markets, which account for around two-thirds of group turnover. Sales there grew by 19 per cent, as the group continues to target faster-growing parts of the market, such as rail and landscape water management.
Growth in the consumer business, which sells patio paving, has been slower to take off - sales were only up 4 per cent in the first half. However, sales outside the UK rose 44 per cent, and now account for 6 per cent of group sales. Analysts at broker Numis Securities are forecasting full-year pre-tax profit of £19m and EPS of 8.3p (from £13m and 6.9p in 2013).
