Company News in Brief

Sycamore Holdings, the furniture maker, made a taxable loss of pounds 1.8m for the half year to 31 March, compared with a loss of pounds 1.9m last time. The loss per share is 0.8p (loss 1.9p) and there is no dividend. In addition, the company has reached agreement with its banks on a refinancing deal.

Ideal Hardware, the computer group, has bought a freehold property in New Malden for pounds 1.6m. It will be the company's new premises.

Surrey Group, the bookmaker, has received 56.6 per cent acceptances for its rights issue.

Alcatel Alsthom, the electronic engineer, has raised its stake in STC Business Communications of South Africa to 50 per cent from 19.9 per cent.

Forminster, the textiles company, has bought 25,000 of its own ordinary shares for cancellation, at a price of 730p a share.

John Waddington, the games maker, has achieved a 94.2 per cent take-up of its rights issue, announced in July.

Cookson, the materials group, has formed a joint venture company with Thyssen, its German peer, to supply refractory products to eastern Europe.

Brandon Hire, the tool hire company, and Dudley Jenkins, the marketing services company, are both planning to move from the Unlisted Securities Market to a full listing.

CADCentre, a Cambridge based research firm privatised in 1983, has been bought by its management for pounds 7m.