premier foods said thursday that sales rose 21 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to 2311 million pounds 2991 million and it now expects fullyear trading profit to meet the top end of market expectations the uk food manufacturerwhich houses the mr kipling ambrosia and bisto brands among its portfoliosaid that for the 13 weeks ended july 1 grocery sales were up 27 while branded sales rose 25 overseas sales increased 14 reflecting a strong performance in australia and increased distribution in the us the company said it expects to meet the top end of the range of market expectations for trading profit which it provided as being in the range of gbp1620 million to gbp1654 million last year it posted a trading profit gbp1575 million looking ahead revenue growth in the grocery business is expected to moderate in forthcoming quarters as yearonyear effects of higher prices reduce while the trajectory for sweet treats is expected to build through the second half of the year the company said shares at 0714 gmt were up 10 pence or 08 at 1286 pence