NCC bullish after strong first half

NCC Group, the Manchester-based online security specialist, has reported further progress in its first half with revenues, profits and dividend all on the up.

Chief executive Rob Cotton said hailed a “truly rounded performance” during the six months to November 30, which saw revenues  ising 15% to £62.3m, profits up 5% to £12.1m and  the dividend up  14% to 1.30p.

Mr Cotton said NCC, which is in the midst of a recruitment drive in Manchester to add a further 100 people to its Oxford Road team, now has 1,200 staff worldwide and is confident of further progress.

“These results are a proud moment really with progress across the piece. Both the Escrow and Assurance businesses have seen strong organic growth in revenue and profitability, with a particularly stand out performance by our US operations – it saw a revenue jump up of 41%, on a constant currency basis.

“Our Domain Services division has been transformed.  .trust was successfully acquired whilst we sold .secure on very favourable terms.  The recent acquisition of the Open Registry group of businesses, now means that in the very dynamic and growing domain markets, we can provide a complete suite of secure services to our corporate clients around the world.”

Having announcced the Open Registry acquisition earlier this week, he said NCC has both the appetite and capacity for more deals.

“I am optimistic we can add maybe one or two more businesses in the next six to nine months. They will probably be in the security area.”