Company News in Brief

St Modwen Properties, the property developer and investment holding company, has bought the Catford shopping centre in Catford, south-east London for more than pounds 5m.

Bridport-Gundry, which makes netting and woven products, dropped sharply to pounds 162,000 (pounds 589,000) pre-tax profit for the year to 31 July. EPS 0.84p (4.59p). Total dividend 2.5p (4.1p).

London & Strathclyde Trust is paying a maintained total dividend of 5.75p for the year to 31 August. Net asset value per share improved from 191.7p to 258.5p.

Half year to 30 June

Aberdeen Steak Houses Group, the restaurant chain, saw sales rise to pounds 6.2m (pounds 5.8m) and taxable losses almost halve to pounds 197,000 (pounds 381,000). Loss per share 1.8p (2.7p).

Ocean Wilsons Holdings, the tug boat operator and investment company based in Bermuda, reported a slight fall in pre-tax profits to pounds 3.2m (pounds 3.4m). Turnover pounds 46.3m (pounds 43.1m). EPS 4.39p (4.31p). Dividend is 1p.

Correction: Ferguson International lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 5.2m (pounds 4.7m) for six months to 31 August, not pounds 35.2m as stated yesterday. EPS 10.4p (9.3p). Dividend 4.25p.