By Maria Ward-Brennan Smith & Nephew’s half year results showed a more-than 20 per cent lift in its operating profits as the group credited its 12-point plan at becoming a “more profitable business”. The group’s first-half revenue was $2.8m (£2.2m), up 4.3 per cent on its results for the first half of last year, which was at $2.7m. Its operating profit of $328m (£255m), up 19.5 per cent on $275m (£214m). Following its results this morning, Smith & Nephew’s shares rose by almost 9.5 per cent in early trades. The company’s trading profit rose by nearly 13 per cent to $471m (£367m) from $417m in …
