Kvaerner issues profit warning

KVAERNER, the troubled Anglo-Norwegian engineering giant, yesterday issued a surprise profit warning which triggered a 15 per cent plunge in its share price.

The company warned investors that losses on a number of projects and tough market conditions would lead to a "significant weakening" in third- quarter results. Analysts predicted that Kvaerner would swing into a loss in the third quarter, with provisions likely to reach 2bn Norwegian crowns (pounds 170m). The shares, which rose last week after the appointment of the new chief executive, Kjell Almskog, to replace the ousted Erik Tonseth, crashed 35 Norwegian crowns to 139.5 crowns.