World Cup lifts Ladbrokes Q3 profit

Ladbrokes Plc, Britain's biggest listed bookmaker, said on Monday that the soccer World Cup helped lift third-quarter profit and it was on track to meet full-year expectations.
Operating profit for the three months to September 30 rose 128% from a year ago to 51.1 mln pounds ($81.4 mln).
The World Cup resulted in a surge in business, with revenue rising 12%, while the company also lowered its operating costs.
Ladbrokes is the latest gambling company to have reported an upbeat business outlook.
In August, rival William Hill said it was on track to meet full year-expectations after reporting higher first-half earnings, while earlier this month Rank forecast a full-year performance around the top end of analysts' expectations as it posted higher third-quarter revenue.
In August, new Ladbrokes' Chief Executive Richard Glynn restored the company's dividend and announced a management shake-up along with a deal to buy gambling machines for Ladbrokes' outlets.
Ladbrokes shares closed up 0.7% at 138 pence on Friday, giving the company a market capitalisation of around 1.25 bln pounds.