Company News in Brief

Pict Petroleum more than doubled pre-tax profits to pounds 2.92m in the six months to 31 December, from pounds 1.11m a year previously. Turnover was down to pounds 4.8m from pounds 5.9m. Earnings per share rose to 5.66p from 2.97p. There was no dividend.

North Midland Construction showed a heavy fall in profit before tax and extraordinaries in the year to 31 December. Profit fell to pounds 159,000 from pounds 555,000 on turnover down to pounds 18.2m ( pounds 24.4m). The final dividend was 0.3p (0.5p), making a total of 0.6p (1p).

Kerry Group produced an improvement in pre-tax profits to pounds 28.7m in the year to 31 December from pounds 24.1m last time. Turnover was pounds 826.7m (pounds 754.9m).

Transfer Technology showed a rise in pre-tax profit to pounds 9.4m (pounds 5.5m) in the year to 31 December. Turnover increased to pounds 106.9m (pounds 68m). The final dividend is 9.75p, making a total of 16p (11.9p).

Strong & Fisher's pre-tax profit for the year to 31 December fell to pounds 2.3m (pounds 2.4m). The dividend was held at 1p.