Business-to-business telecoms company AdEPT expects its underlying profitability to exceed market expectations when it reports its annual results in July.

The Tunbridge Wells-based communications firm said earnings before interest, taxes and other charges will grow 26% in the year to the end of March 2017, ahead of City predictions of an 18% rise.

In a trading update today, it said turnover is likely to be 16% ahead of 2016, when it boosted revenues by 31% to £28.9 million.

Its shares were up 11% in early trading to £3.52 on the news.

The company, which announced its third takeover in three months in February, said net borrowings of £15.8 million were £1.3 million lower than market expectations.

The board plans a final dividend of 4p a share, up from 3.5p last year, bringing the total annual dividend to 7.75p, up 19% over the previous period.