JD Wetherspoon reinstated its dividend as the pub group reported half year sales and profits at record levels.

Pre-tax profit in the 26 weeks ended 24 January was £36.2m, an increase of 17.5% on a pre-exceptional basis (2009: £30.8m) and a jump of 41.4% (2009: £25.6m) after exceptional items. Like-for-like sales increased marginally, by 0.1%, with total sales, including new pubs, increasing by 4.1% to £488.1m.

Trading in the 6 weeks to 7 March 2010 continued on a similar trend to last year, with like-for-like sales down 0.4% and total sales increasing by 3.9%.

Supermarket group Wm Morrison saw a sharp jump in profits in the year to 31 January as its value offering continued to attract customers during tough times.

Pre-tax profits climbed to £858m from £655m from the same period the previous year, including an exceptional credit of £91m arising from steps taken to strengthen pension schemes, as turnover climbed to £15.4bn from £14.5bn. Like-for-like sales excluding fuel and VAT were up by 6%, lower than the 8.2% growth seen the previous year.

Related shares