Hanson PLC said a 5.6 per cent rise in annual profit beat its expectations, reflecting a ’strong finish’ in all divisions, and boosted by a UK£7m gain from two property deals closed at the end of the year. Pretax profit before exceptionals climbed UK£336.8m from UK£319m last year, lifting earnings per share to 35.0 pence, from 32.7. Hanson increased its dividend 7.1 per cent to 18.15 pence. ’We will continue our focused strategy of organic and acquisitive growth combined with financial discipline,’ chairman Christopher Collins said. ’Overall, Hanson anticipates further progress in 2005.’ Published under Cement News