Standard Group H1 Profit up 139 per cent

The Standard Group has reported 139 per cent growth in pretax profit
for the first half of 2010. The company's pretax profit rose to sh
216.7 million up from sh 90.5 million record in the first six months
of 2009.

According to the company's unaudited financial statements, total
revenue grew to sh 1.54 million, a 14 per cent increase, up from sh
1.35 billion, riding on the back of a recovery in economic growth and
an increase in advertising spend.

Total operating costs and net finance costs decreased from sh 1.2
billion and sh 56.5 million respectively.

Basic Earning per share increased 207 per cent to sh 2.92 from sh 0.94.

Mr Paul Melly, the company's deputy chairman and Chief Strategist told
shareholders to expect an increment in dividend payout. He emphasized
that the Group's current investment is enough to generate income for
the next 20 years without reinvesting a significant portion of the
income.