Consumer finance firm Fairpoint (LON:FRP) reported good growth in legal services and is looking for further acqusitions but swung to a pre-tax loss in the year to end December due to exceptionals.
Shares eased over 5% in early deals to stand at 154p.
The firm said the legal segment, only established in the summer of 2014, was responsible for 58% of group revenue at £31.6mln compared to 31% in 2014.
Overall, group revenue for the year came in 41% higher at £54.1mln compared to £38.3mln in 2014.
The loss before tax was £5.7mln compared to a profit of £3.4mln in 2014 due to exceptional costs of £16.1 million, including a goodwill charge booked within its debt solutions division.
Fairpoint added it would pay a final dividend of 4.35 pence a share, up from 4.10p, taking the total divi to 6.80p from 6.40p.
The group's chief executive Chris Moat told investors: "2015 was a significant year for Fairpoint as we continued our expansion into the legal services market, reporting strong growth in revenues and adjusted profits and completing the acquisition of Colemans to add market leading expertise in volume personal injury, conveyancing and travel law to the group's existing legal services offering.
"Having established a wide range of capabilities in consumer legal services, we expect to continue to pursue acquisition opportunities whilst also developing our organic growth agenda."