COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Baggeridge Brick, makers of bricks and suppliers of materials to the building industry, pushed pre-tax profits ahead from pounds 1.6m to pounds 2.1m in the six months to 31 March in spite of a fall in turnover to pounds 16.5m (pounds 16.8m). Earnings per share improved to 3.56p (2.62p), while the interim dividend was maintained at 0.75p.

Delyn Group, which makes consumer packaging and materials, boosted pre- tax profits from pounds 168,000 to pounds 853,000 for the year to 31 January. The surge in profits was bolstered by a 26 per cent growth in group turnover from pounds 14m to pounds 17.6m. Earnings per share increased to 6.57p (5.33p). Final dividend is 1.25p, making 1.75p (1.67p).

Fleming European Fledgling Investment Trust's net asset value per share declined from 108.9p to 101p at the 31 March year-end. Pre-tax profits, however, grew to pounds 319,000 (pounds 1,000), helped by the doubling of investment income to pounds 1.3m.

New Throgmorton Trust, the investment trust that invests mainly in UK companies, is paying a 1.75p final dividend, keeping the total payout unchanged at 4.75p for the year to 31 March. Net asset value per share dropped to 127.1p (179.2p).