nichols plc said wednesday that pretax profit for the first half rose on increased revenue and that it raised its dividend payout despite inflationary pressures the softdrinks companywhich houses the vimto levi roots and sunkist brandsmade a firsthalf pretax profit of 101 million pounds 122 million compared with gbp86 million in the yearearlier period revenue rose to gbp802 million from gbp674 million driven by the uk market performance the board has declared an interim dividend of 124 pence a share up from 98 pence declared the same period previous year the company added that it is confident to deliver its longterm plans despite the potential impact on earnings of continued inflation into 2023 and beyond