Company News in Brief

Parkland Group, the wool-spinner and weaver, returned to the black with pre-tax profits of pounds 2.2m for the year to 28 February against a previous pounds 1.6m taxable loss, which was depressed by costs and provisions set up to cover closing a loss-making subsidiary. Resurgent demand for wool suits helped to bump up turnover on continuing activities by 19 per cent to pounds 52.5m. Earnings per share were 19.7p (LPS 19.3p). The total dividend rose to 5p (2p).

MMT Computing, the computer systems consultancy, announced a rise in pre-tax profits from pounds 865,000 to pounds 1.2m for the six months to 28 February. Turnover increased from pounds 3.2m to pounds 4.8m. Earnings per share grew to 6.4p (4.8p). The interim dividend is 1.5p.

Jos Holdings, the investment trust, is paying 2.875p dividend per income share for the third quarter ended 30 October. Net asset value per capital share stood at 242.4p and has since edged up to the 243.6p per share announced last week.