Company News in Brief

Rubicon Group increased pre-tax profit to pounds 1.2m ( pounds 963,000) in the six months to 30 November and paid an interim dividend of 1.5p (nil). Earnings per share 8.2p (55.4p).

Shoprite Group, the discount food retailer, is raising pounds 9.8m through a placing and open offer of new shares on a 1-for-9 basis at 645p each. The money will be used to reduce gearing and provide capital for the group's further expansion.

Colefax & Fowler, the household furnishings group, made a loss of pounds 192,000 (profit pounds 505,000) in the six months to 31 October. The interim dividend has been cut to 0.5p (1.3p). Loss per share 0.76p (earnings 2.0p).

London & Clydeside saw pre-tax profits slide to pounds 404,000 ( pounds 1.82m) in the year ended 30 September. Earnings dropped to 2.9p (14.9p) and the final dividend was cut to 2.7p, making 4.5p (7p) for the year. With house sales still under pressure, the company said it it did not expect a return to better conditions in the first half of this year.