Company News in Brief

Business Technology reduced taxable losses to pounds 4.1m ( pounds 6.1m) for the year ended 31 December. LPS 12.1p (29.1p). No dividend.

British Thornton Holdings rose to pounds 2.1m ( pounds 1.3m) pre-tax profit for the year to 30 April. EPS 11.4p (9.8p). Total dividend is 6p (5p).

London Scottish Bank edged pre- tax profits ahead from pounds 2m to pounds 2.1m in the six months to 30 April. Dividend is 1.2p (1.03p).

Year to 31 March

Mountview Estates increased pre- tax profits to pounds 7.2m ( pounds 6.8m). EPS 105.6p (99.3p). Total dividend is 22p (20p).

Hicking Pentecost lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 3.4m ( pounds 2.85m). EPS 15.3p (13p). Total dividend is 4.6p.

Marshalls reported a 64 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to pounds 20.4m ( pounds 12.4m). EPS 8.62p (3.93p). Total dividend is 4.25p (4p).

Robert Wiseman Dairies achieved a 38 per cent rise in pre- tax profits to pounds 5.1m ( pounds 3.2m). EPS 7.22p (4.58p). No dividend.

Stirling Group, the clothes maker, incurred pounds 798,000 taxable loss (profit pounds 5.1m). LPS 1.39p (EPS 3.92p). Total dividend 1.9p (1.85p).

Six months to 31 March

Southern Business Group revealed a sharp decline in pre-tax profits from pounds 7.2m to pounds 3.1m. EPS 2.18p (4.99p). Dividend is held at 1.27p.

Burndene Investments made pounds 1.8m ( pounds 2.3m) pre-tax profit. EPS 1.15p (1.45p). Dividend is 0.75p (0.5p).