Company News in Brief

YRM, provider of architectural planning and building services, incurred pounds 498,000 pre-tax loss (profit pounds 534) in the six months to 31 October, weighed down by pounds 282,000 redundancy and related costs. The directors agreed to waive their right to the interim dividend, but will pay other shareholders 0.5p (1.65p) per share.

Miskin Group, the property developer and plant hirer, reduced pre-tax losses from pounds 7.4m to pounds 2.2m in the year to 31 July. It suffered from interest charged on property it is finding hard to sell. Jeffrey Goodman, chairman, said reduction of the group's stock of properties was now a priority. Turnover crumbled to pounds 10.6m ( pounds 19.6m). No dividend.

Adscene Group, printer and publisher, advanced pre-tax profits to pounds 946,000 ( pounds 720,000) in the six months to 31 November. Dividend is 1.8p (1.5p).

Heiton Holdings, steel stockholder and distributor of building materials in Ireland, lifted pre-tax profits to Ir pounds 945,000 (Ir pounds 820,000) in the six months to 31 October. The dividend is held at 0.65p.