Wolseley UK, which includes the Build Center and Timber Center chains, has seen its trading profits increase by £18m to £51m in its first half to January 31.
Sales were down to £1.22bn (2010: £1.23bn) but the like-for-like performance was up 6%.
Wolseley said markets had improved, aided by 3% price inflation and the business had experienced a continuation of the gradual recovery in the more resilient RMI sector.
“Build Center slightly underperformed the market as we focused on protecting gross margins which were ahead of last year,” it said.
“Growth trends in the period were encouraging, with market conditions stronger than expected. However, we remain cautious given the potential impact of prospective cuts in public sector spending.”
The trading margin for the UK business was higher at 4.1% (2010: 2.7%).
Group-wide Wolseley plc recorded £195m pre-tax profits (2010: £261m loss). Sales reached £6.6bn, 5% up on a year ago.
“The group expects to continue to grow in the second half of the year, though the comparatives will now be much more demanding,” said Wolseley plc chief executive Ian Meakins.
