PRESSURE on margins and slower private house sales produced a slight dip in interim turnover and profits at J Smart, the
Edinburgh-based contracting company.
During the six months to January 31, sales dropped to #7.1m against #9.35m in the previous half-year. Pre-tax profits fell to #1.72m against #1.79m.
Chairman John Smart said the volume of work in hand had increased, with the proportion of design and construct package contracts having increased. However, there had been no improvement in prices for tendered work. The dividend has been increased to 2.7p per share. After waivers from members holding about 50% of the company's stock, payment will cost #137,000.
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