HANSON TRUST SHOWS SHARPLY HIGHER HALF-YEAR PROFIT
  Six months ended March 31, 1987
      Share 6.0p vs 4.1p, diluted
      Interim dividend 1.4p vs 1.05p
      Pre-tax profit 312 mln stg vs 158 mln
      Net profit 234 mln vs 114 mln
      Sales 3.47 billion vs 1.55 billion
      Operating profit 296 mln vs 164 mln
      Interest and other income less central expenses credit 16
  mln vs debit six mln
      Company's full name is Hanson Trust Plc <HNSN.L>.
      U.K. Operating profit by sector -
      Consumer goods 123 mln stg vs 32 mln
      Building products 31 mln vs 26 mln
      Industrial 14 mln vs same
      Food 20 mln vs nil.
      U.S. Sectors -
      Consumer goods 25 mln stg vs 20 mln
      Building products 29 mln vs 25 mln
      Food seven mln vs two mln
      Businesses owned in 1986 and sold during 1987 nil vs nine
  mln.