Company News in Brief

Plasmec, the metal, plastics and electronic components group, lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 307,000 (pounds 5,000) for the six months to 30 June. Turnover rose to pounds 7.3m (pounds 6.2m). Interim dividend is raised 50 per cent to 1.5p.

Samuel Heath, which makes giftware and hardware products, fell to pounds 308,000 (pounds 377,000) pre-tax profit. Sales fell from pounds 7.2m to pounds 7.1m in the year to 31 March. Total dividend is held at 5.5p.

Alliance Trust held the payout for the year to 31 January at 14p. Net asset value as at the year-end was 1448p against 1540p previously.

US Smaller Companies Investment Trust declared a final dividend payment of 0.1p, making 0.3p for the 11 months to 30 June. Net asset value is 93.9p.

F&C Enterprise Investment Trusts' net asset value was 45.3p (44.4p) at the end of the six months to 30 June. No dividend.