Construction firm and housebuilder Galliford Try reported a 19% hike in first half pre-tax profit to £63 million for the six months to the end of December thanks to rising house prices. The group, which trades as Linden Homes and Galliford Try Partnerships, is now targeting 60% profits growth by 2021. Peter Truscott, chief executive of Galliford, said: "Whilst we remain alert to potential uncertainties in the wider economy, we continue to see opportunity in all of our markets."