COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Scantronic Holdings, the security components company at the heart of recent takeover speculation, yesterday reported expected pre-tax losses of £2.4m (£1.6m profit) for the six months to September, 1994. The losses were flagged at the time the hea vily-borrowed group raised £2.8m in new equity and borrowings last autumn.

Cassidy Brothers, the sports, toys and nusery goods maker, reported pre-tax profits of £541,000 (£520,000) in the six months to 31 October. EPS 6.52p (6.95p). It maintained the dividend at 0.75p.

C H Bailey, the ship repairer and leisure group, deepened taxable losses from £206,000 to £470,000 in the 28 weeks to 7 October, despite higher turnover of £2m (£1.9m). Loss per share worsened to 0.78p (0.34p).