Company News in Brief

TSW-Television South West made pounds 1.5m pre-tax profit (loss pounds 1.9m) in the half year to 30 June. Earnings per share were 4.2p (loss 4.8p). Interim dividend is 2p.

Manganese Bronze Holdings, London black cabs maker, reported a sharp increase in pre-tax losses from pounds 950,000 to almost pounds 2.5m for the year to 31 July. But the year's dividend is being maintained at 1p a share.

Contra-Cyclical Investment Trust fell to pounds 677,000 ( pounds 933,000) pre-tax profit in the six months to 30 September. Net asset value per share is halved to 26.2p (53.3p).

British Assets Trust's net asset value eased to 89.85p (94.72p) as at the end of the year to 30 September. Final dividend is 1.07p, making 4.19p (4.04p).

Investors Capital Trust is paying 1.275p final dividend, making 5.1p (5.05p) for the year to 30 September. Net asset value per share is down from 116.7p to 111.8p.

Office & Electronic Machines, supplier of automated office equipment, boosted pre-tax profits to pounds 267,000 ( pounds 14,000) in the six months to 30 June. Interim dividend is held at 0.1p.

TDS Circuits, which makes printed circuit boards, reduced pre-tax profits from pounds 595,000 to pounds 488,000 in the six months to 31 August. No dividend

Platon International made pounds 12,000 pre-tax profits (loss pounds 299,000) in the six months to 30 September. No dividend. Platon is in talks that might lead to a general offer for the company.

Gresham House incurred a pounds 1.5m ( pounds 2.6m) pre-tax loss in the half year to 30 June. No dividend.

TR Far East Income Trust is paying a final dividend of 1.2p, making 4.5p (4.2p) for the year to 31 August. Net asset value per share is 91.6p (96.5p).

United Energy, the oil and gas exploration company, incurred pounds 52,000 pre-tax loss (profit pounds 91,000) in the half year to 30 June. No dividend.

Fitzwilton, the cash and carry, motor supplier and light manufacturer, has sold its 75 per cent- owned vehicle contract hire subsidiary, Norfolk Finance, to AT&T Capital, the UK-based subsidiary of the US giant AT&T Corporation, for total cash payment of pounds 7.4m.