Readymix has reported a 23.8 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to €12.75 million (£10.04 million) from €10.3 million in the six months to the end of June. Reflecting the booming building activity, sales grew by 40.3 per cent to €117.6 million from €83.8 million. The shares rose five cents to €1.38 following the announcement. But profit margins fell to 10.8 per cent from 12.3 per cent. Managing director, Mr John McNerney, said the contraction was due to a greater concentration of its business in the North where margins are lower, and eroding margins in the Republic due to competition. The latest results show a 20 per cent rise in earnings per share to 9.8 cents from 8.16 cents. The interim dividend is being increased by 12.5 per cent to 1.371 cents.