7:00 PM London – Drax Group plc said sales and net increased in the first half on higher electricity generation. Taylor Wimpey Plc swung to a net income in the first half. The Weir Group net in the first half nearly surged 70%.

Drax Group plc declined 0.44% to 385.00 pence after the power generation company reported a higher profit for the first half of fiscal 2010, helped by higher revenues on increased electrical output, despite challenging commodity market conditions. Total revenue for the six months increased to £780.6 million from £706.9 million in the previous year. Profit before tax for the period rose to £132.2 million from £33.8 million in the prior year.

Rotork plc edged lower 2.35% to 1,499.00 pence after the engineering firm reported an increase in pre-tax profit for the first half, primarily reflecting sales growth. For the half year, profit before tax rose 6.8% to £47.47 million from £44.44 million last year. Revenue for the six months surged 130.8% to £183.5 million from £79.5 million a year ago. The board increased its interim dividend by 14.3% to 12.75 pence per share from 11.15 pence last year.

Taylor Wimpey plc surged 8.70% to 31.00 pence after the home builder reported a pre-tax profit of £19.6 million in the six months to June against a loss of £673 million last time. Half-yearly earnings per share were 0.2 pence in comparison with a 43.6 pence loss in the previous year. Revenue for the period ended July 4 edged higher 8.0% to £1.22 billion from £1.13 billion in the comparable period last year.

The Weir Group PLC decreased 0.49% to 1,220.00 pence after the maker of pumps for the mining industry reported a higher profit for the first half of fiscal 2010, helped by higher order input reflecting strong demand for commodities.

For the 26 weeks ended on July 2, profit attributable to equity holders of the company was £96.1 million or 45.2 pence per share, compared with £59.8 million or 28.1 pence per share last year. Revenues for the 26-week period rose 9% to £775.1 million from £709.8 million in the prior-year period, helped by strong aftermarket revenues, which represented 58% of the total revenues.