JOHANNESBURG, Feb 25 (Reuters) - South African diversified industrial firm Imperial said on Tuesday that its half-year earnings jumped by 19 percent as it increased market share and reaped the benefit of increased efficiency.
Imperial said headline earnings increased to 324 cents a share in the six months to December 25, 2002, from 273 cents in the same period a year earlier. Headline earnings strip out exceptional items and their tax effects.
The group said it expected lower interest rates and a strong order book in the year ahead.