Retail giant GUS has posted forecast- beating earnings and said it remains upbeat about its prospects. Pre-tax profits before exceptional items at the UK group, which owns the Argos chain, jumped 44% to �354m ($601m) in the six months to September.
That compares with analysts' forecasts of between �330m and �343m.
Chief executive John Peace said: "Although we face some challenges in the second half, we remain confident in the outlook for the future."
GUS owns 67.5% of luxury goods company Burberry, as well as well as home improvements retailer Homebase and financial information firm Experian.
Analysts had anticipated a weakening sales trend in the company's second quarter at Argos and Homebase after the UK summer heat wave hit its main rivals.
But the slowdown was mild and GUS said its first-half sales rose 24% to �3.78bn.
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