BLUE CIRCLE PROFITS, DIVIDEND RISE
Year to end-December Shr 76.7p vs 67.7p
    Div 17p making 23p vs 21p
    Pretax profit 127.0 mln stg vs 116.9 mln
    Turnover 1.10 billion vs 947.2 mln
    Tax 25.0 mln vs 26.3 mln
    Note - company full name is Blue Circle Industries Plc
<BCIL.L>. Company said it proposes one-for-one capitalisation
issue
    Gross profit 390.9 mln vs 321.6 mln
    Distribution costs 215.6 mln vs 177.6 mln
    Administrative expenses 65.1 mln vs 58.9 mln
    Other operating income 5.3 mln vs 11.0 mln
    Share of profits of related companies 50.0 mln vs 58.1 mln
    Operating profit 165.5 mln vs 154.2 mln
    Net interest payable 33.6 mln vs 32.2 mln
    Exceptional items 4.9 mln debit vs 5.1 mln debit
    Minorities 3.4 mln vs 6.9 mln
    Extraordinary items after tax 39.5 mln vs 4.2 mln
    Pretax profit includes -
    U.K. 37.7 mln vs 20.5 mln
    U.S. 27.5 mln vs 22.8 mln
    Mexico 15.0 mln vs 20.7 mln
    Australasia 15.7 mln vs 13.2 mln
    Africa 12.0 mln vs 12.6 mln
 REUTER
