Defence business Cohort (CHRT:AIM) will need to generate 76% of its earnings per share in the second half of its April 2017 financial year if it is to hit consensus forecasts.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the six months to 31 October fell 16% year-on-year to 5.99p against the 24.5p pencilled in for the full year. The company says the weak EPS number was due in part to a significant proportion of its earnings being derived from partially owned businesses.

To demonstrate its faith in a stronger second half the company upped its first half dividend by 16% to 2.2p.