YouGov pollsters' profits plummet

INTERIM profits at polling firm YouGov have plummeted 42 per cent, sending its shares down almost 7 per cent.

Pre-tax profits tumbled to 1.4 million in the six months to 31 January, as good performances in the UK, Germany and US were offset by declines in the Middle East and under-performance in Scandinavia.

YouGov said its first-half results were in line with expectations in a challenging market. Its shares fell 2.5p or 6.5 per cent to 36.25p on the news.

The company is set to provide daily polling as the General Election nears, which it said would boost its second half.