James Fisher reports profit rise
Marine services provider James Fisher and Sons yesterday reported a five per cent rise in full-year pre-tax profit on strong growth from its specialist technical division and said trading so far in 2010 was as expected. The company, whose services include ship-to-ship oil transfer at sea, submarine rescue and lifting equipment rentals, raised its final dividend by two per cent to 8.8p, giving a total dividend of 13.6p. The “excellent performance” in the specialist technical division contributed to the company’s strong organic growth, helping overcome the disappointment in the marine oil division, the company said in a statement.