UK spread betting firm IG Group released an interim statement for the six-months ended November 30, 2008 and according to the Group, first half pre-tax profit came in at $84.3 million, an increase of 21 percent.

"“Against a backdrop of challenging capital market and economic conditions, IG has again delivered strong growth in both revenue and profits, enabling us to increase the half-year dividend by 33 percent," said IG CEO Tim Howkins.

"We continue to experience strong levels of client recruitment, both in the UK and abroad where we have recently expanded further with the acquisition of FXOnline in Japan."

"Current trading is strong across the Group and IG is well positioned to deliver further growth."

According to a report in Reuters, "Shares in IG Group, which fell 37 percent last year but have outperformed many other stocks in the financial services and leisure industries, were up 15 percent at 256 pence by 1042 GMT."

Furthermore, "Goldman Sachs said it anticipates that extremely robust revenue growth in the first half would moderate in the second half but remain above 20 percent," the report went on to say.

*Highlight's included:

-Turnover up 47 percent at £126.5 million
-EBITDA1 up 24 percent at £60.3 million
-Strong EBITDA margin of 47.7 percent
-Adjusted EPS2 up 17 percent at 11.73p
-Interim dividend of 4.0p per share (up 33 percent)
-Record levels of account opening and client activity
-Acquisition of FXOnline Japan in October 2008
-Current trading strong

* taken from iggroup.com