UPDATE 3-Experian H1 revenue up 1 pct, margin outlook improves

* Experian H1 organic, total revenue growth 1 pct

* North America stabilising, UK still weak

* On track to at least maintain margins at full year

* Stock up 1.7 pct, outperforming FTSE

(Adds CFO, shares)

By Clara Ferreira-Marques

LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Credit information group Experian (EXPN.L) posted a 1 percent rise in first-half revenues, in line with expectations, but gave a rosier picture for the full year, saying it expects to at least maintain margins and grow profits.

Experian, best known for running consumer credit checks for banks, has come under pressure as U.S. and UK lenders tighten the reins on loans and borrowers shy away.

The group said there were signs of stabilisation in the U.S. credit market, though the picture remained weak in Britain.

"We may have seen the worst in the U.S. consumer credit side. We are more cautious about the UK where we did see some softening in the quarter -- it is too early to call any kind of stabilisation in the UK," Chief Financial Officer Paul Brooks said on a conference call, adding he expected tighter lending criteria to continue at least through this year.

However, Brooks said continued benefits from a restructuring programme announced 18 months ago and growth in businesses like Interactive -- which includes products allowing consumers to access their credit reports and prevent ID theft -- more than offset the negative impact on margins from weakness in areas including its core Credit Services unit.

Experian said it was on track to grow or maintain margins and to increase profits at constant currency at the full year. That was a slight improvement on July's guidance, when it said it expected to "broadly maintain" margins.

Experian shares were up 1.7 percent at 0813 GMT at 536 pence, compared to a 1.3 percent rise in the FTSE blue-chip index. The stock has climbed over 22.5 percent so far this year.

BACK ON THE M&A TRAIL

Experian has been active on the acquisition trail in recent years, boosting growth in Latin America and the United States.