Company News in Brief

Motor World, which makes and retails car parts and accessories, drove pre-tax profits higher to pounds 1.8m ( pounds 1.5m) in the six months to 31 April. Turnover rose to pounds 21.5m ( pounds 18.7m). EPS 8.7p (8.1p). Dividend is 2.5p (2.3p).

Sidney C Banks, the grain and agricultural merchants, lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 3.4m ( pounds 2.9m) for the year to 30 April. A fall in turnover and lower prices for cereal crops were offset by improved contributions from its fertiliser and feeds division. EPS 25.7p (22.5p). Total dividend is 9.75p (9p).

Year to 31 March

Prior, the property trader, ironmongery and home brass accessories group, knocked pre-tax profits up from pounds 347,000 to pounds 1.95m after crediting pounds 2.05m, attributable to the release of bank indebtedness under the terms of a banking agreement successfully negotiated to complement the reconstruction of the company. EPS more than doubled to 1.23p (0.61p).

William Ransom, the pharmaceutical products maker, increased pre-tax profits to pounds 925,000 ( pounds 817,000), despite a drop in turnover to pounds 6.8m ( pounds 7.2m). EPS 2.78p (3.49p), but the total dividend improved to 1.989p (1.903p).

Half-year to 30 June

Ayrshire Metal, the cold rolled steel profiles manufacturer, increased pre-tax profits to pounds 792,000 ( pounds 572,000). EPS 5p (3.8p). Dividend is 1.25p.

Chieftain Group, provider of insulation and fireproofing services, climbed to pounds 203,000 pre-tax profit (loss pounds 481,000). EPS 1.67p (LPS 3.76p). Dividend is held at 1.5p.

Green Property, the property trader, achieved Ir pounds 2.05m (Ir pounds 860,000) pre-tax profit. EPS Ir6.78p (Ir3.42p). Interim dividend is Ir1.2p (same).

John I Jacobs, the shipbroker and owner, made pounds 38,000 ( pounds 46,000) pre-tax profits. EPS 0.1p (0.5p). Dividend is 0.25p.

Premier Health, which provides healthcare services, recovered from pounds 1.2m taxable loss to pounds 618,000 pre-tax profit. EPS 0.21p (LPS 0.4p). No dividend.