Discount retailer B&M confident on outlook as earnings rise

B&M European Value Retail , the fast-growing British discount store chain, reported an 18.6 percent rise in first half core earnings, hiked its dividend and said it was confident about future prospects. The firm, chaired by former Tesco boss Terry Leahy, said on Tuesday it made adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 86.6 million pounds in the 26 weeks to Sept. 26. With recession-era shopping habits entrenched, discount stores, both in general mercha