UK's Saga rises as first-half cruise bookings top expectations
BUZZ-UK's Saga rises as first-half cruise bookings top expectations ** Shares of British over-50s holiday and insurance group Saga SAGA.L up 9% at 658 pence
** Ocean cruise revenue in H1 is expected to exceed last year, driven by a 13% rise in booked per diems
** Co remains on track to meet its full-year guidance
** Expects first-half holidays revenue and passenger numbers to exceed the prior year
** Also expects FY revenue to be marginally ahead of the same point last year
** "Full-year holidays revenue is expected to be marginally ahead of the prior year, though passenger numbers could be slightly behind, with more customers opting for shorter short-haul holidays rather than long-haul trips as a result of the Middle East conflict," Saga said
** SAGA up ~53.5% this year, as of last close
(Reporting by Megha Kumari in Bengaluru)