Billington Holdings up 20%, first-half results to beat forecasts

Billington Holdings, a structural steel and construction safety group, jumped on Monday after saying its half-year results will be ahead of expectations.

The company expects the results for the first half of 2015 to be "significantly" ahead of current market expectations thanks to improved performance during the period.

WH Ireland analysts said: "The main driver of the expectations upgrade is margin progression driven by increased efficiencies and utilisation, in combination with a number of favourable contract settlements."

As a result, the broker lifted its profit and earnings per share expectations to £3.0m and 19.9p respectively.

Shares rose 19.89% to 264.95p on Monday at 15:37.