Company News in Brief

HP Bulmer Holdings, the cider and soft drinks maker, lifted pre- tax profits to pounds 10.7m ( pounds 9.7m) in the six months to 31 October. Interim dividend is 3.75p (3.45p).

Year to September

Alvis, maker of electro optical and training equipment, fell to pounds 1.1m ( pounds 3.8m) pre-tax profit. Final dividend is 0.5p, making 1p (2.2p).

Baggeridge Brick, the building materials supplier, dropped to pounds 1.8m ( pounds 2.5m) pre-tax profit. Final dividend is 2.375p, making 3.125p (same).

Year to August

Haemocell, the medical equipment maker, incurred pounds 1.7m ( pounds 1.75m) pre-tax loss.

McCarthy & Stone deepened pre- tax losses from pounds 16.9m to pounds 19m. Total dividend is 0.5p (1p).

Six months to 30 September

Northern Investors made pounds 206,000 ( pounds 282,000) pre-tax profit. Dividend is 2p (3.5p).

Bristol Water Holdings improved pre-tax profits to pounds 3.4m ( pounds 2.6m).

Bexbuild Development fell to pounds 66,000 ( pounds 138,000) pre-tax profit. Dividend is held at 1p.