EASYJET PROFITS UP 70%

easyJet has posted pre-tax profits of £154 million in the 12 months to September 30, an increase of £99.3 million over last year. As a result of the better-than-expected results the airline is planning its first-ever dividend payment to shareholders, which analysts have suggested will be 10pence per share. Sales rose by 11.5% to £3 billion, with passenger numbers up 8% to 48.8 million. Founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou called the company’s first dividend in January 2012 was a good first step but he wants it to rise to more than twice the rate planned. The airline plans to target business