COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Fyffes reported higher pre-tax profits of Irpounds 17.8m (Irpounds 14.2m) in the six months to 30 April on turnover sharply up from Irpounds 368.5m to Irpounds 535.4m. EPS Ir3.05p (Ir2.68p). Dividend 0.47p.

MS International tumbled from pounds 867,000 pre-tax profit to pounds 889,000 taxable loss for the year to 30 April. Loss per share 3.1p (earnings per share 1.8p). Total dividend 0.5p (2.5p).

Year to 31 March

Hewetson boosted its pre-tax profits to pounds 1.4m (pounds 400,000). Earnings per share 7.85p (0.38p). The total dividend is 2.5p (1.25p).

Lowndes Lambert increased pre-tax profits to pounds 15.3m (pounds 13.2m) on higher turnover of pounds 93.8m (pounds 79.5m). Earnings per share 17.9p (15.9p). Total dividend is 8.25p (7.5p).

Tamaris climbed from pounds 111,000 taxable loss to pounds 322,000 pre-tax profit. Earning per share 0.12p (loss per share 0.15p). No dividend.