Company News in Brief

Six months to 31 December

Logica, the computer services and software house, almost doubled taxable profits to pounds 4.1m ( pounds 2.1m). Logica said its performance in Continental Europe improved sharply, with revenues up by 23 per cent even after allowing for the fall in sterling. Dividend is 1.25p (1.15p).

Ben Bailey Construction, the house builder, reported a fall in pre-tax profits to pounds 24,000 ( pounds 107,000), undermined by fierce competition for sales and a cut in the average selling price of houses. Dividend is 0.25p (0.3p).

Castle Communications, the music and video film promotion company, lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 927,000 ( pounds 793,000). Interim dividend is held at 4p.

Sirdar, the textiles concern, eased to pounds 2.7m ( pounds 2.8m) pre-tax profit. Interim dividend is held at 1.65p.

Year ended 31 December

Birmingham Midshires, the building society, boosted pre-tax profits from pounds 9.5m to pounds 23.9m, helped by a fall in the number of properties taken into possession and a fall in arrears cases.

Abbeycrest, the gold and silver jewellery maker, took a cut in pre- tax profits to pounds 1.35m ( pounds 3.35m). Total dividend is 3.2p (same).

Blagden Industries, the packaging and chemicals group, fell from pounds 10.7m to pounds 7.6m pre-tax profit. Total dividend is 9.5p (same).

T Clarke, the electrical equipment maker, fell to pounds 1.4m ( pounds 1.9m) pre- tax profit. Total dividend is 2.81p.

EFT Group, the asset finance company, achieved pounds 1.45m ( pounds 1.1m) pre-tax profit. Total dividend is 1.3p (1.1p).

DC Gardner, the outplacement and training specialist, turned a pounds 10.1m taxable loss into pre-tax profits of pounds 1.2m, aided by a 38 per cent cut in trading expenses.

Kode International, the computer maintenance service company and printed circuit boards maker, boosted pre-tax profits from pounds 486,000 to more than pounds 1m. A 4p final dividend makes 5.5p (4p).

Sanderson Murray & Elder, the motor distributor, eased from pounds 1.55m to pounds 1.4m pre-tax profit. Total dividend is 2p (same).