Inmarsat Places $1.2 Billion Boeing Order, Sales Rise

Inmarsat Plc, the biggest provider of satellite services to the maritime industry, posted a 56 percent increase in first-half profit and placed a $1.2 billion order with Boeing Co. for three satellites.

Profit before tax rose to $151.8 million from $97 million a year earlier, the London-based company said in a statement today. Revenue climbed 12 percent to $570.7 million. Inmarsat proposed an interim dividend of 14 cents, up 10 percent and said it was “confident” about sustaining 10 percent dividend growth for from 2010 to 2012.