Company News in Brief

Nesco Investments, the software company that supplies electricity in Nigeria, advanced to pounds 231,000 ( pounds 222,000) pre-tax profit in the year to 30 June. Earnings per share slipped to 2.92p (2.97p), affected by a threefold rise in the tax charge. Nesco Nigeria, whose contribution was excluded from the results, is to be sold to its management for pounds 180,000 cash following recent political unrest in Nigeria. The group is proposing to change its name to DCS.

Shani Group, women's and children's clothes maker, lifted pre-tax profit from pounds 2m to pounds 2.4m for the year to 31 July. Turnover jumped from pounds 12m to pounds 20m. EPS 11.3p (9.2p). Total dividend is 5.3p (4.4p).

Boustead reported a surge from pounds 117,000 taxable loss to pounds 593,000 pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June. EPS 0.1p (LPS 0.4p). Dividend is held at 0.35p.

Six months to 30 September

Allen, the builder, achieved a 51 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to pounds 1.28m ( pounds 850,000) on turnover of pounds 30.5m ( pounds 24.7m), helped by an increase in house sales. EPS 3.87p (2.85p). Dividend is held at 1.65p.

James Cropper, the paper and board maker, rose to pounds 1.1m ( pounds 595,000) pre-tax profit. EPS 9p (4.8p). Dividend is 1.1p (0.975p).

Hewetson, building accessories maker, fell to pounds 158,000 ( pounds 476,000) pre-tax profit. EPS 0.16p (2.09p). Dividend 0.5p.

Hilclare, security and lighting products maker, cut taxable losses from pounds 70,000 to pounds 45,000. pounds 1.2m ( pounds 1.3m). LPS 0.9p (1.7p). No dividend.

South Staffordshire Water raised pre-tax profits to pounds 5.8m ( pounds 5.1m). EPS 80.8p (78.7p). Dividend is 16.5p (15p).

Worthington Group, clothing accessories maker, lifted pre- tax profits to pounds 508,000 ( pounds 305,000). EPS 2.01p (1.25p). Dividend is 0.6p (0.5p).