Drinks group Pernod Ricard has reported pre-tax profits of €246m for the first half of 2005, only marginally higher than in the same period a year earlier.
Profits in its wine and spirits division were up 2.4% to €287m, affected by currency movements. Sales in the division rose by 9% to €1.65 billion, with volume sales of Jameson 13% higher.
Strongest growth came in the Americas, where profits wee nearly 20% up, while sales grew by 18% in Asia.
Pernod said that following the acquisition of Allied Domecq in late July, integration of its business had stared and was already complete in some countries. The group took an exceptional charge of €20m linked to the costs of preparing for the deal.
Shares in the company fell 4% in Paris as the results were below expectations.
