Company News in Brief

Verity Group, which makes and distributes high-priced quality loudspeakers and electronic products, said its core audio business was showing trading profits and problems at Wharfdale Loudpeakers had been largely resolved. Verity's objective is to achieve 65 per cent export sales from the introduction of new products. It reported a slight reduction in pre-tax profits to pounds 1.5m ( pounds 1.7m) for the six months to 31 December. Turnover improved to pounds 5.8m ( pounds 4.75m). Loss per share is cut from 7.7p to 2.2p. No dividend.

Elys (Wimbledon), the department store, returned lower pre-tax profits of pounds 502,000 ( pounds 879,000) in the year to 30 January on sales of pounds 12.6m ( pounds 12.1m). Earnings per share declined to 29p (49.3p). Final dividend is 14.5p, making 16p (same).

Swallowfield, the aerosol products manufacturer, released fallen pre-tax profits of pounds 1.3m ( pounds 2.1m) for the year ended 31 December. Turnover rose to pounds 23.2m ( pounds 22.9m). Earnings per share fell to 7.3p (13p). Final dividend is 2.2p, making 4.4p (6.1p).

CSC Investment Trust's net asset value per share declined from 108.42p to 101.63p. It declared a final dividend of 2.5p, making 4p for the year ended 31 December. Taxable revenue for the trust slipped to pounds 72,000 ( pounds 113,000).