Company News in Brief

Ex-Lands, the property investment and management group, boosted pre-tax profits to pounds 914,000 ( pounds 65,000) in the year to 30 June. EPS 1.07p (0.1p). Dividend is 0.35p.

Paramount, the licensed premises owner, pushed pre-tax profits ahead to pounds 450,000 ( pounds 403,000) in the year to 31 May. EPS 0.56p (same). Dividend is 0.15p (0.1p).

David Brown, the specialist engineer floated in April, announced a 22 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to pounds 4.7m ( pounds 3.8m) for the six months to 31 July. It benefited from a sharp reduction in interest costs to pounds 277,000 ( pounds 1.1m) as a consequence of the floatation. EPS 6.7p (6.3p). Dividend is 2.1p.

Half year to 30 June

Alida Holdings, plastic materials processor, increased pre-tax profits to pounds 677,000 ( pounds 445,000). EPS 3.38p (1.99p). No dividend.

Grampian Holdings, the mini- conglomerate, slumped to pounds 2.05m ( pounds 10.8m). EPS 2.14p (14.7p). Dividend is held at 1.7p.

REA Holdings, the plantation holding company, returned pre-tax profits of pounds 354,000 ( pounds 193,000). EPS 1.2p (0.1p). No dividend.

Correction: Johnston Group, the civil engineer and property developer, reduced pre-tax losses from pounds 765,000 to pounds 393,000. Dividend is 1p (2.25p). Not Johnston Group Cleaners as stated yesterday.