More gloom for builders

Williams Holdings added its voice to the construction industry gloom yesterday, warning that its building products division had turned down in the second quarter of the year and remained dull. Its other major divisions, security and fire protection, however, showed strong growth in the six months to June, helping group profits rise 20 per cent to pounds 103.1m. The interim dividend increased 5 per cent to 5.5p.

Investment Column, page 20