Company News In Brief

Armour Trust, which makes confectionery and motor car accessories, announced lower pre-tax profits of £758,000 (£916,000) in the six months to 31 October in spite of a rise in turnover from £13.3m to £17.9m. Earnings per share declined to 1.5p (2.2p). Interim dividend is 0.418p (0.38p).

Regal Hotel Group, the hotels and restaurants operator, turned around from £665,000 taxable loss to £733,000 pre-tax profits for the year to 31 December, helped by a jump in turnover from £2.7m to £7.7m. Earnings per share recovered to 0.06p (LPS 0.18p). No dividend.

High Point, involved in consultancy and project promotion, increased pre-tax profits to £221,000 (£93,000) in the six months to 30 November. Turnover eased to £21.6m (£22.6m). EPS jumped to 3.2p (0.8p). Dividend is 0.5p.

Second Alliance Trust, the investment trust, is paying 14p dividend for the six months to 31 January, up from 13p. Pre-tax revenue edged ahead to £5.8m (£5.4m). Net asset value per share rose to £18.95 (£16.91).