Shares in Logica were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the IT firm more than trebled its pre-tax profit in the first half of the year.

The group reported a slight drop in revenue of one per cent in the first half to £871 million, while pre-tax profit rose from £24 million to £86 million.

Orders in the first half were reported as rising two per cent to £2.1 billion.

In addition the company said that it was seeing "improving trends" in its business in France, Northern and Central Europe and Sweden.

Logica said that it would be increasing its dividend by 0.9 per cent to 1.9 pence per share.

Andy Green, CEO of Logica, said, "This is a good set of results in challenging economic conditions. The balance of our business across geographies and sectors helped us to meet expectations and outperform the market.

"The guidance we set out in February remains unchanged. Gradually improving market trends underpin our view that revenues and adjusted operating margin for the full year will be at a similar level to 2009. We are pleased to be increasing returns to shareholders, with the interim dividend rising to 1.9p."

By 09:45 shares in Logica were up 6.22 per cent on the FTSE 250 to 116.20 pence per share.

FTSE