Reuters Sales Hit By Currency In H1; But Growth Posted

LONDON--Despite a heavy impact from the strength of sterling, Reuters managed to post an increase in revenues for the first half of 1998, surprising analysts who had bought the company's characteristically gloomy forecasts.

Revenue rose three percent for the period, but were up eight percent ex-currency. Likewise, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization were up four percent at actual rates, significantly less than the 12 percent ex-currency increase. And operating profit rose