GPOR.L Share News (GPOR)

London-focused property group Great Portland Estates reported increased first-half earnings on Thursday with the value of its portfolio having grown 8.9% since March 31.Pre-tax profit increased 16% year-on-year to £21.0m in the six months to 30 September, driven by a 3.6% increase in rental value.The valuation of the group's properties rose to £2.98bn by 30 September, up from £2.68bn six months earlier. Net asset value rose 11.8% from the year before to 636p a share.Great Portland has declared a 2.9% increase in the first-half dividend to 3.5p per share.The company's second-half performance "can expect strong leasing interest in both our committed development properties and our limited quantity of vacant space [...] ahead of estimated rental values," said chief executive Toby Courtauld.As of 10:56, the firm's share price slipped 0.44% to 684.00p per share.