Learmonth crashes on results

SHARES in Learmonth and Burchett Management Systems crashed 70p to 153p after the company reported a big drop in interim profits, writes John Murray.

The computer services group, traded on the Unlisted Securities Market, made pounds 201,000 before tax in the six months to the end of October against pounds 753,000 last time.

But Rainer Burchett, chairman, said he expected a recovery in the second half and forecast full-year profits similar to last year's. 'The first-half results were affected by expenditure on product improvements, increased marketing and by the timing of significant orders.'

Neil Davies, chief financial officer, said UK trading was still difficult, but that the US was the main engine for growth. The shares, as high as 365p in March, recovered slightly to close 60p lower at 163p.