Company News in Brief

Stylo, the multiple footwear retailer sharply reduced pre-tax losses from pounds 9.1m to pounds 746,000 in the year to 31 January. Loss per share is cut to 4.1p (loss 42p). Total dividend is 3p (2.5p).

Black and Edgington reversed pounds 2m taxable loss into pounds 704,000 pre-tax profit for six months to 31 January, on 31 per cent rise in turnover to pounds 3.8m ( pounds 2.8m). Earnings per share 0.1p (loss 0.4p). No dividend.

Year ended 31 December

Severfield-Reeve, structural steel manufacturer, is raising about pounds 1.55m through a one-for-two rights issue at 32p to partly reduce its debt. It revealed pounds 987,000 taxable loss (profit pounds 530,000). Loss per share 6.8p (earnings 4.18p). No dividend (1p).

Brammer fell to pounds 8.2m ( pounds 9.1m) pre- tax profit. Earnings per share 13.4p (14.7p). Total dividend held at 13p.

Dagenham Motors returned lower pre-tax profits of pounds 1.5m ( pounds 2.1m.) on improved sales of pounds 155.9m ( pounds 127.2m). Earnings per share are 5.6p (8.1p). Total dividend is held at 5.75p.

Martin International Holdings edged pre-tax profits ahead to pounds 2.45m ( pounds 2.37m). Earnings per share are 8.4p (9.5p). Total dividend is 4.4p (4.2p).

Mid-States lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 4.2m ( pounds 3.7m), but cut the total dividend to 0.75p (3p). Earnings per share 7.3p (6.3p).

OIS International Inspection made pounds 1.4m pre-tax profit. Earnings per share 5.9p (5.5p). No dividend.

Sherwood Computer advanced to pounds 3m ( pounds 2.4m) pre-tax profit. Earnings per share are 34.1p (24.7p). Final dividend is 5.25p, making 7p (6p).

Blockleys, the building materials group, made pounds 352,000 ( pounds 1.1m) pre-tax profit. Earnings per share are 0.73p (2.48p). Total dividend is 1p (3.38p).