NFC.L Share News (NFC)

Digital marketing and PR group Next 15 Communications impressed the market on Tuesday with its half-year report, delivering double-digit profit and dividend growth.Adjusted profit before tax increased by 13% in the six months to January 31st to £5.1m, ahead of the £4.8m expected by Canaccord Genuity. The interim dividend was raised by 12% to 0.7p per share "in view of these results and the positive future outlook", the company said.Revenues were up 6% at £49.3m, as 17% growth in the US to £28.4m offset falling sales in the UK (-4.5%), Europe Middle East and Africa (-10%) and Asia Pacific (-6%). Group organic growth, which excludes the impact of currency and acquisitions, was 4%, driven by a "very strong performance" from the North American business, which grew 13%.Next 15's brands of Outcast, M Booth, Blueshirt, Beyond and Text 100 each saw double-digit organic revenue growth in their US businesses, whilst Connections Media is said to have made a positive start following its acquisition in April 2013. Bite US, meanwhile, showed a much improved recent trading performance with a return to profitability.Chairman Richard Eyre said Next 15 made "significant progress on a number of fronts" during the first half."The strong trading pattern experienced in the second half of our last fiscal year has continued, putting the group in position to deliver another year of progress in revenue and profitability," he said.The company appointed Peter Harris as its new Chief Financial Officer in November 2013. One of his initial recommendations, which Next 15 has adopted, was to change the company's year-end date from July 31st to January 31st to "better align with the client budgeting cycle".The stock was up 3.3% at 109p by 14:19.BC