REFILE-UPDATE 1-Wood H1 profit up, sees year beating forecasts

(Corrects to Tuesday from Monday in third paragraph)

(Adds detail, analyst comment, share price)

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - British energy services company John Wood Group Plc (WG.L) reported a 44 percent jump in core first-half profit on brisk demand for its services said it expected to beat expectations for the full year.

Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) rose to $207.9 million for the six months to June 30, up from $144.6 million last year, on revenue 19 percent higher at $2.5 billion.

"Overall, our markets are robust and the demand for our services remains high," Wood Group said in a statement on Tuesday. "We expect the strong growth to continue and believe results for the year will be ahead of expectations."

Operating profit was $196.8 million in the first half, compared with $137.4 million last year. The average forecast of three analysts was $189.47 million within a range of $182 million to $196.4 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

Cazenove said it had upgraded its 2008, 2009 and 2010 adjusted diluted earnings per share forecasts by 4 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent respectively following the strong H1 results, and repeated its "Outperform" rating on the stock.

"The strength of the share price into the results suggest a positive announcement was anticipated. Even so valuation remains very attractive in our view and we expect only positive news from Wood Group going forward," the analysts said in a note.

Shares in Wood Group, which had risen around 50 pence last week, were down 2.2 percent at 437 pence at 0718 GNT, valuing the company at around 2.3 billion pounds.

The company proposed a 40 percent rise in the interim dividend of 2.8 cents. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan and Mike Elliott; Editing by Quentin Bryar and Sue Thomas)