Hanson plc has reported preliminary results for 1999 that show trading profits up 21% to $502.9m. Basic earnings per share before exceptional items are up 5.1% to 14.7 cents, giving a total for the year of 21.4 cents. The company also reports a total of 29 acquisitions totalling $667.7m, up 112.8%, thus strengthening its role in sector consolidation. Andrew Dougal, chief executive, said: "A strong performance from our North American operations, supported by higher capital expenditure and bolt-on acquisitions, was the foundation for another encouraging set of results."
