Safety equipment and hazard detection products group Halma has raised its interim dividend by 7% after a record first-half performance which saw sales top the £1bn mark, as it retained its guidance for the full year.

The lender declared an interim dividend of 16.5 pence per share.

Investec reported a 7.6% rise in adjusted operating profit to £474.7m for the six months ended 30 September on Thursday, driven by revenue growth of 5.6% to £1.1bn and improved cost efficiency.

Close Brothers reported a stable first-quarter performance in an update on Thursday, supported by growth in its banking division and disciplined cost management, despite headwinds from legal challenges in its motor finance business.

Group declares an interim dividend of 303.6 cents per share, up 7.1% compared to the corresponding half-year.