Derren Nathan, head of equity research, at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown said:“Tesco’s stores and vans have delivered a little extra in the first half. Underlying operating profit of £1.7 billion came in a shade ahead of market forecasts, but intensified competition and cost pressures meant that growth in profits lagged sales by some margin. Still, management were confident enough to raise the mid-point of full-year profit guidance by 5% to £3 billion. It’s not a spectacular change, but every little helps.