Company News in Brief

Six months to 31 March

M&W, the food retailer and wholesaler based in Southampton, increased pre-tax profits from pounds 664,000 to pounds 927,000. Turnover rose from pounds 33.4m to pounds 37.3m. Earnings per share are 3.8p (2.8p). Interim dividend is 1.1p (1p).

Treatt, the natural food chemicals and essential oils specialist, lifted pre- tax profits from pounds 571,000 to pounds 644,000. Earnings per share are 4.45p (3.94p). Interim dividend is 1.1p (1p).

Year ended 31 December

Chillington Corporation, the engineering, plantations and property group, announced higher pre-tax profits of pounds 955,000 ( pounds 646,000) on turnover of pounds 44.4m ( pounds 48.6m). Loss per share is cut to 0.2p (2.4p). Total dividend is halved to 0.25p (0.5p).

Beverley Group, the engineer, made pounds 63,000 pre-tax profit (loss pounds 2.6m). Earnings per share are 0.79p (loss 8.11p). No dividend.

High Gosforth Park, racecourse and golf course owner, halved pre-tax losses from pounds 46,000 to pounds 21,000. Loss per share was cut from 82.9p to 27.7p. No dividend.

Ramco Oil Services slipped to pounds 349,000 ( pounds 526,000) pre-tax profit. Earnings per share eased to 1.88p (2.39p). Final dividend is 1p (2p).