Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Warning from Allied Colloids

Magnus Grimond
Wednesday 04 June 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A warning from Allied Colloids that profits could be hit by the current strength of the pound yesterday took the shine off the group's first results since the record $390m (pounds 233m) purchase of the CPS Chemical Company of New Jersey last year. The shares slipped 1.5p to 128.5p, but remain above the 118p terms of December's cash call.

Announcing a 30 per cent rise in profits to pounds 54.6m for the 12 months to March, David Farrar, chief executive, said the recent significant changes in exchange rates would have hit profits by pounds 5m had they applied throughout the year. He warned that "clearly [they] will have a negative impact on profit in the current year".

However, he forecast exchange rate effects would not affect the company's competitive position and said he was "pleased" with the performance of CPS since January and the progress in realising synergies. CPS chipped in pounds 3.9m profits to these figures. The original operations saw gross margins rise from 36 to 39 per cent on reduced raw material costs, improved manufacturing efficiency and stable sales prices. The group warned raw material costs would increase again, led by propylene-based products.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in