Huntsworth narrows H1 loss, looks to growth

Healthcare communications and public relations group Huntsworth has narrowed its first-half pre-tax loss to £8.9m, from a year-earlier loss of £45.9m.

Operating loss was £94.4m, from a loss of £128.0m. Interim dividend was held at 0.5p a share.

It noted accelerating growth at Huntsworth Health, Red and Citigate Dewe Rogerson, adding the final phase of restructuring was underway at Grayling and should deliver upside in 2017.

"Business momentum in Huntsworth Health remains strong, especially in the US," said chief executive Paul Taaffe.

This would "offset the impact that the Grayling restructure imposes on growth and any potential fallout from the uncertainty created by the UK's EU membership referendum vote."

At 12:58 BST, shares in Huntsworth were up 1.26% to 40.25p.