hansard global plc said thursday that pretax profit rose in the first half of fiscal 2023 despite a fall in fees and commissions the longterm savings provider said pretax profit was 31 million pounds 37 million for the half year ended dec 31 compared with gbp19 million in the first half of fiscal 2022 profit was driven by reduced administrative expenses improved interest rates and favorable foreignexchange movements it said however fees and commissions fell to gbp229 million from gbp252 million reflecting lower levels of new business assets under administration at dec 31 were gbp110 billion largely unchanged from gbp109 billion at june 30 the board declared an interim dividend of 18 pence per share flat on year we expect sales of longterm savings products through independent financial advisors to continue to be impacted by global economic headwinds hansard said looking forward however we are confident that our new product pipeline will lead to increased sales and long term growth in the business