Company News in Brief

Kingfisher has bought Unipart Group's retail operation comprising 18 outlets for roughly pounds 3m.

Fletcher King eased to pounds 224,000 (pounds 288,000) pre-tax profit in the year to 30 April. Earnings per share 1.6p (1.7p). Total dividend is held at 1p.

Regal Hotel Group worsened pre-tax losses from pounds 844,000 to pounds 1.1m for the year ended 31 December. Turnover was pounds 2.9m (pounds 725,000). No dividend.

Year to 31 March

Allen fell from pounds 3.2m to pounds 1.5m pre-tax profit. EPS 5.05p (9.69p) Total dividend is 5p.

Amberley Group incurred pounds 91,000 taxable loss (profit pounds 73,000). Loss per share 1.71p (EPS 0.46p). Total dividend is held at 1p.

JLI Group, the food maker and supplier, lifted pre-tax profits 64 per cent to pounds 5.2m (pounds 3.2m), following the succesful integration of three aquisitions it made last year and an increase in the rate of profit on turnover. Earnings per share 9.3p (8.8p). Total dividend is 4.65p (4.5p).

Six months to 31 March

Brook Tool Engineering cut pre-tax losses from pounds 1.6m to pounds 397,000. Turnover was pounds 7.2m (pounds 2.8m). No dividend.

Polar improved pre-tax profits to pounds 490,000 (pounds 451,000). EPS 4.1p (3.7p). Dividend is held at 2p.