Marketing and distribution group DCC says its first half profits will be similar to the same period last year, but it is well placed for strong growth in the second half.
Chief executive Jim Flavin also told the company's AGM that it was pursuing a number of acquisition opportunities.
He said the nature of the energy and IT distribution markets was such that a large amount of sales took part in the second half of the year.
Flavin also said he did not expect Fyffes' legal action against DCC would take place until next year. In a short statement to shareholders Flavin repeated the company's position that Fyffes' allegations of insider dealing were 'utterly without merit', and would be 'vigorously rebutted'.
He said he was not surprised by the lack of questioning by shareholders on the matter.
He said DCC's IT distribution business had been hit by the severe downturn in the technology market, but recent months had seen a return to more stable trading patterns.
In the energy business, Mr Flavin said the profit contribution from last year's acquisitions would be heavily weighted towards the second half, as winter was the most significant trading period.
