BAE Systems reports 9% rise in H1 earnings

BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defense company, said operational improvements in its first half drove a 9% rise in core earnings to 999 million pounds ($1.21 billion), underpinning its guidance for the full year.

The maker of Typhoon fighters, combat vehicles, and Astute Class nuclear-powered attack submarines, stuck to its full-year earnings per share forecast of 42.9 pence, assuming a $1.30 to the sterling exchange rate, as the better operational performance helped offset restructuring charges.

($1 = 0.8226 pounds)