Shares in MP Evans Group PLC (AIM:MPE) rose 4% on Monday after the palm oil group reported higher first-half earnings, helped by firmer prices and a greater contribution from its own plantations in Indonesia.
Operating profit for the six months to June climbed 50% to $62.2 million, compared with $41.6 million a year earlier, while earnings per share jumped 60% to 71.7p. The board declared an interim dividend of 18p, up from 15p in 2024.
The company, which produces only certified sustainable palm oil, achieved an average crude palm oil price of $868 per tonne, up 13% on last year.
Palm kernel prices surged 71% to $747 per tonne. While total crude palm oil output slipped 2% to 172,800 tonnes, a larger share came from its own crop, reducing costs to $446 per tonne.
Sustainable volumes rose 10% to 131,300 tonnes, representing more than three-quarters of production.
Cavendish hailed the results as “excellent,” noting that mix improvement and strong pricing drove a 50% rise in gross profit.
It lifted its 2025 earnings forecast and raised its full-year dividend estimate to 60p. The broker reiterated a 1,500p target price. The shares were up 45p at 1,340p.