Building supplies firm Grafton Group posted a slightly better-than-expected 15 per cent rise in 2006 earnings today.
Earnings per share rose to 78.0 cents once adjusted to exclude amortisation and property profits.
Grafton had said in December that it expected 2006 earnings to meet market forecasts, due to continued strong trading in Ireland and improvements in Britain in the second half where Grafton generates more than half its revenues.
The company said the start to 2007 had been "satisfactory" and that it was confident about the future.
In Ireland, Grafton said it expected stable demand from the residential construction market as house building softens from current record levels but that an upbeat Irish consumer should ensure growth in the repair and home improvement market.
"High levels of consumer spending and a slowdown in new capacity in the Irish DIY market should enable the Woodie's DIY and Atlantic Homecare businesses to make further progress and also to benefit from last years store openings," the company said.