Paragon Group of Companies plc (LSE:PAG) said its investment division was actively seeking acquisitions.

Paragon Group of Companies plc announced that it will pay an interim dividend of 2.4 pence per share against 1.5 pence per share a year ago, a total of £7.2 million against £4.5 million a year ago, on July 26, 2013 to all shareholders on the register on July 5, 2013. The company reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the six months ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported net interest income of £80.1 million compared to £75.9 million a year ago. Total operating income was £86.8 million compared to £82.3 million a year ago. Operating profit before fair value items was £48.2 million compared to £43.8 million a year ago. Operating profit being profit on ordinary activities before taxation was £49.1 million compared to £44.8 million a year ago. Profit on ordinary activities after taxation was £37.8 million or 12.2 pence per diluted share compared to £33.7 million or 11.0 pence per diluted share a year ago. Net cash flow generated by operating activities was £37.9 million compared to £19.2 million a year ago. Purchases of property, plant and equipment was £0.6 million compared to £1.2 million a year ago. Purchases of intangible assets were £0.4 million compared to £0.6 million a year ago. Net asset value per £1 ordinary share was 273 pence compared to 257 pence a year ago. Return on equity (annualized) was 9.5% compared to 9.1% a year ago. Underlying profit before tax increased by 10.0% to £48.2 million compared to £43.8 million a year ago.

Paragon Group of Companies plc announced Interim Management Statement based on the performance of the business from October 1, 2012 to date, including a commentary on the unaudited financial information for the period from October 1, to December 31, 2012. The financial performance of the Group remained strong during the period to December 31, 2012, in line with management's expectations, generating operating profits (before fair value items) of £23.7 million, compared with £20.3 million for the corresponding period in the previous year, a 16.7% increase. Pre-tax profits, after a charge of £0.2 million for fair value hedging items, were £23.5 million for the period. Cash generation from the Group's SPVs and from the acquired portfolios remained strong over the period. Free cash balances stood at £154.4 million at December 31, 2012, compared with £127.7 million at September 30, 2012. During the period, the Group has made excellent progress, successfully managing the portfolio of originated and acquired assets, seeking further opportunities to expand by acquisition, developing the new lending business, increasing the funding available for buy-to-let mortgage originations and completing a further securitisation. The Group will continue to pursue this strategy.