The credit crunch has failed to dent the confidence of moneysupermarket.com, the price comparison website that debuted on the London Stock Exchange in July just as markets went into a tailspin.

The company was upbeat about trading as it issued its first full-year figures as a quoted concern.

Simon Nixon, the chief executive, said that a broadly flat performance in loans and mortgages was offset by "very strong growth" in credit cards and savings products. Gross margins improved over the year from 61 per cent to almost 67 per cent as an increased proportion of revenues came from consumers who went straight onto the site rather than from search engine marketing or portal partners.

"We have made a very strong start to the current financial year," Mr Nixon said.

However, the company said that it expected costs to increase in the first half of this year because of investment in the business and the development of its German motor insurance subsidiary.

Pro forma figures, issued on the assumption that the company had existed in its current form since the start of 2006, showed revenues 56 per cent higher at £162.9 million and adjusted earnings up 57 per cent at £52.9 million. There was a maiden final dividend of 1.63p.

The shares, floated at 170p, were 3p ahead at 136p in early trading.

Times Recommends

• Lies and cover-up at MG Rover exposed by report
• High oil prices push manufacturing costs up
• Primark founder steps down as chief executive