Britvic, the drinks group, said that it was on track to meet full-year forecasts and that it would meet Permira, the private equity shareholder regularly linked with a takeover of the company, next week. Britvic, which makes Robinsons Squashes, J2O and Fruit Shoot and has distribution rights for Pepsi and 7-Up in Britain, said that cost cuts and a revival in sales of soft drinks pushed up first-half profits. Branded drinks revenue rose 9.3 per cent to £353.6 million, from £323.5 million a year ago. Britvic is 14 per cent owned by Permira and has been the subject of repeated media and stock market speculation that the private equity shareholder is sizing up a takeover after being refused access to Britvic’s books earlier this year. Paul Moody, Britvic chief executive, said that he would meet the private equity group next week. Britvic’s earnings per share rose to 5p from 3p in 2006 and the company raised its interim dividend to 3.3p from 3p. (Reuters)

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