Company News in Brief

Jessups, the retail motor trader and vehicle leasing company, reported pre-tax profits of pounds 707,000 ( pounds 506,000) for the year to 31 August. There was a 21 per cent increase in turnover from pounds 75.8m to pounds 92m. Earnings per share, however, were almost halved to 0.54p (1.05p). Jessups has extended its accounting year to December and is paying a second interim dividend of 1.5p.

Daks Simpson Group boosted pre- tax profits from pounds 88,000 to pounds 1.2m in the six months to 31 July. Turnover rose to pounds 30.3m ( pounds 29.2m). Earnings per share are 9.82p (LPS 3.19p). No dividend.

Somic, which makes yarns, cords and woven fabrics, recovered from a pounds 10,000 taxable loss to make pounds 133,000 pre-tax profit for the six months to 30 September. Sales improved to pounds 2.2m ( pounds 1.8m). Earnings per share are 4.47p (LPS 0.38p). Interim dividend is 1p (nil).