Company News in Brief

Black Peter Holdings, the maker, importer and distributor of consumer goods, lifted pre-tax profits almost 27 per cent to pounds 5.7m (pounds 4.5m) in the six months to 31 October. Dividend is raised to 0.93p (0.77p).

Wills Group, the electronic products maker, advanced to pounds 287,000 (pounds 154,000) pre-tax profit in the six months to 31 December. Dividend is 0.1p.

Harry Ramsden's, the traditional fish and chips restaurateur, increased pre-tax profits to pounds 608,000 (pounds 562,000) in the year to 30 September. The dividend is unchanged at 3.5p.

EFM Java Trust said a tight monetary policy in 1991 caused a downturn in Indonesia, where it invests, in the year to 31 December. Investment income eased 28 per cent to pounds 189,000. Net asset value per share grew to 32.88p (25.91p). No dividend (0.06p).

English & Caledonian Investment, which invests in small companies, fell to pounds 150,000 pre-tax profit in the six months to 31 December. Dividend is held at 1.25p.