Company News in Brief

James Dickie, the engineering components and assemblies maker, more than tripled pre-tax profits to pounds 678,000 ( pounds 206,000) in the year to 31 August. Turnover rose to pounds 16.5m ( pounds 15.4m). Don McFarlane, chairman, who is to retire at the next annual meeting, said the company's improving position had continued into the start of the new year with order levels much stronger than for years. Earnings per share improved from 2.5p to 8.4p. Final dividend is 2p (1p).

Hartlepools Water Company lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 720,000 ( pounds 670,000) in the six months to 30 September. Earnings per share are 71p (67p). Interim dividend is 23p (22p).

NMC, the paper, plastics and printing group, achieved a 52 per cent rise in pre-tax profits from pounds 2.9m to pounds 4.3m in the six months to 30 September, helped by a jump in turnover to pounds 64.8m ( pounds 52.1m). Earnings per share are 4.44p (2.01p). Interim dividend is 1.25p (0.5p).