Company News in Brief

DY Davies, which provides architectural and allied services including design and building, has managed to cut taxable losses from pounds 484,000 to pounds 116,000 in the six months to 31 October. It achieved a reduction in losses even though turnover had shown a 36 per cent decline from pounds 3.9m to pounds 2.5m. Loss per share was cut to 1.8p (8.3p). No dividend was declared.

Stavert Zigomala, the furniture and carpet wholesaler and retailer, reported a slight fall in pre-tax profits from pounds 39,000 to pounds 37,000 in the six months to 30 September. Sales were pounds 335,000, down from pounds 452,000, but the company produced a smaller loss than the corresponding period last year, due to increased margins and disposal of old stock. Earnings per share dropped to 9.3p (9.84p). No dividend.

Danka Business Systems, which supplies and services office equipment, announced a surge in pre-tax profits from pounds 4.7m to pounds 8.8m for the third quarter ended 31 December, helped by two acquisitions amounting to pounds 8.4m. It bought American Office Equipment in the US, marking its entry into the copier market in the Chicago area, and acquired Dial Office Holdings, a UK photocopy dealership. Turnover grew by 73 per cent to pounds 92.5m ( pounds 53.4m). Earnings per share were maintained at 2.9p.