Clothing retailer Marks and Spencer (LSE: MKS) released its interim report today, saying sales were up 2.8% year on year, while pre-tax profits slightly decreased to £306.7 million compared to £307.8 million a year ago. Earnings per share were roughly unchanged at 14.3 pence compared to last year’s 14.2 pence. The company declared an interim dividend of 5.5 pence per share compared to 8.3 pence last year.
Sector peer Next (LSE: NXT) said sales in the third quarter to 31 October have been better than expected with both Next Retail and Next Directory performing ahead of the second half guidance.
Defence and aerospace systems manufacturer Cobham (LSE: COB) said its revenues for the first 9 months of the year showed strong growth, which was in line with the board’s expectations.
Insurer Aviva (LSE: AV) said worldwide sales and life and pensions sales were both reduced by 11% due to weaker consumer demand, while group margin was in line with full year 2008 at 2.1%. The company said the outlook for 2009 total profitability remained good.
Commercial property company Liberty International (LSE: LII) said Capital Shopping Centres’ occupancy improved since 30 June from 98.3% to 98.9%.
In the AIM, Mobile email and data synchronisation group Synchronica PLC (AIM: SYNC) has landed its first purchase order for low cost mobile devices following the collaboration agreement concluded in early July with third parties to design, build, market and sell LC Devices. The order came from a Central African mobile operator, which recently purchased a 100,000 used license for Synchronica’s flagship product Mobile Gateway.
Turkey focused gold miner Stratex International (AIM: STI) has wrapped up the scoping study to identify key issues and ensure optimum fast-track development, while pit-sampling of the Inlice project talus resource was completed and infill drilling was underway.
Sweeteners manufacturer PureCircle (AIM: PURE) said that the global demand for products containing stevia was such that product launches over the past year reached 200.