Company News in Brief

Huntingdon, the biogical safety testing, engineering and environmental services group, fell from pounds 14.4m to pounds 7.3m pre- tax profit in the year to 30 September. The last three months to the year-end, however, showed an increase in pre-tax profits over the comparable period at pounds 4.45m ( pounds 4.2m) EPS 0.074p (0.115p). Total dividend is 2.775p.

Six months to 31 October

Northamber, the computer hardware and software supplier, reduced taxable losses to pounds 54,000 ( pounds 495,000). LPS 0.3p (2.2p). No dividend.

Six months to 30 September

Cape, the fire protection and insulation products maker, slipped to pounds 6.1m ( pounds 6.5m) pre- tax profit. EPS 7.6p (8.2p). Dividend is maintained at 3p.

Field Group, the printed folding cartons maker, achieved an increase in pre-tax profits from pounds 5.9m to pounds 6.8m. EPS 8.5p (7.5p). Dividend is 2.3p.

Gibbon Lyons Group, the printing inks maker, lifted pre- tax profits from pounds 712,000 to pounds 980,000. EPS 6.3p (4.4p). Dividend is 2.2p (2p).

Gibbs Mew, the brewer and pub owner/operator, sharply increased pre-tax profits to pounds 1.6m ( pounds 317,000). EPS 17.4p (2.44p). Dividend is raised 25 per cent to 3.75p.

Mid Kent Holdings, the water supplier, eased from pounds 4.3m to pounds 3.8m pre-tax profit. EPS 16.7p (19.3p). Dividend is 5p (4.75p).

Mountview Estates, the property firm, fell to pounds 3.4m ( pounds 3.6m) pre-tax profit. EPS 49.3p (52.8p). Dividend is 10p (8p).

Rowlinson Securities, the property investor and builder, almost doubled pre-tax profits to pounds 1.1m ( pounds 515,000). EPS 5.96p (2.76p). Dividend is held at 0.24p.