Company News in Brief

Appleby Westward Group, the grocery wholesaler, reported a fall in pre- tax profits to pounds 1.3m ( pounds 1.6m) for the year to 28 February, held back by lower sales of pounds 70.7m ( pounds 72.9m). Earnings per share declined to 15.7p, but a final dividend of 5.8p lifted the total from 8.8p to 9p.

British & American Film Holdings, the film and leisure investment group, returned a marginal fall in pre- tax profits from pounds 1.27m to pounds 1.25m for the year ended 31 December. Earnings per share improved to 36.8p (34.4p). Final dividend is 8.25p, making 12.05p (10.69p).

Value and Income Trust increased the dividend payout to 3.6p (3.24p) for the year to 31 March. Net asset value per share grew to 92.5p (70.6p).

Six months to 31 March

Chiltern Radio deepened pre-tax losses to pounds 325,000 ( pounds 179,000). Loss per share worsened to 3.4p (1.9p).

Morgan Grenfell Equity Income Trust doubled the dividend payout to 2p. Net asset value per share is 122.8p (89.7p).

Overseas Investment Trust declared a slight improvement in the dividend payout to 0.85p (0.8p). Net aset value per share rose to 350.8p (274.6p).