Company News in Brief

Fitch, provider of design services, lowered taxable losses to pounds 151,000 ( pounds 381,000) in the half year to 30 June on pounds 6.7m turnover (same). LPS 1.1p (2p). No dividend.

Goldsmiths Group, the jeweller, reduced taxable losses from pounds 1.3m to pounds 817,000 for the six months to 31 August, helped by higher sales of pounds 21.2m ( pounds 18.7m). Loss per share was cut to 2.49p (4.09p). Dividend is 0.8p.

Hamleys, toys and games retailer, jumped from pounds 115,000 to pounds 676,000 pre-tax profit in the six months to 31 July on sales of pounds 8.9m ( pounds 7.6m). Earnings per share rose to 2.7p (1.5p). Dividend is 2p.

Manganese Bronze Holdings, which makes bronze bearings and metal products, pushed pre-tax profits ahead by a third to pounds 2m ( pounds 1.5m) for the year to 31 July on slightly lower turnover of pounds 74.5m ( pounds 75.4m). Earnings per share rose to 7.58p (5.89p). Final dividend is 2.5p, making 4p (2.5p).