date:Jul 25, 2013
4 rose 3.5 percent. That was below a 6.3 percent rise in its third quarter, due to a strong comparative period, but ahead of analysts' forecasts.
The group's operating margin, which has been trimmed by higher costs in areas like food and tax, rose from 8.5 percent in the third quarter to 9.5 percent in the period due to food and drink prices which now stand 2.5 percent higher than a year ago.
Operating margin for the year to date stood at 8.7 percent, and could be sustained around that level,