Company News In Brief

J&J Dyson made a pre-tax profit of pounds 340,574 ( pounds 347,268) for the six months to September. Earnings per share were 1.65p (1.68p) and the interim dividend is held at 2p.

Richard Field, chairman, warned that second-half profits would fall short of the comparative figure.

'We must contend with a complete change of direction in UK economic policy, and we can but hope that this will succeed in bringing some relief,' he said. 'In such uncertain circumstances I expect our result for the full year to be short of its comparative.'

DY Davies reported a pre-tax loss of pounds 484,000 ( pounds 426,000) for the six months to 31 October. The figure was struck after an exceptional debit of pounds 387,000 ( pounds 244,000). The loss per share was 8.3p (5.4p). There is no interim dividend.

Joseph Hoyle & Son announced a pre-tax profit of pounds 399,432 ( pounds 5,326) for the six months to 30 September. Earnings per share were 35.46p (0.37p).

Aukett Associates made a pre-tax loss of pounds 3.87m (profit of pounds 360,000) for the year to 30 September. There was an exceptional debit of pounds 2.74m ( pounds 700,000). The loss per share was 18.88p (0.32p). There is no dividend for the year (1.75p).