Companies: ACL   

Strong trading in the UK and Europe has helped Acal onto strong full year figures. According to chairman John Curry, order growth has been 'in excess of 10%' year on year, and although the Y2K issue has impacted on IT spending, levels should pick up in the New Year. The integration of the Sedgemoor businesses, acquired in June 1999, is apparently progressing to plan and the merged businesses are performing according to expectations. Overall, turnover rose 41% from £78.2m to £110.6m, of which £21.72m was from Sedgemoor, while pre-tax profits dropped 23% from £7.23m to £5.90m as a result of hefty amortisation and interest charges. Underlying earnings per share rose 36% from 11.2p to 15.2p, and the interim dividend was up 12% from 4.1p to 4.6p.