Contractor says 2008 order book strong as it increases dividends to shareholders

Electrical engineering and contracting company T. Clarke has posted a 24.2% rise in pre-tax profit to 拢8.2m for the year ended 31 December 2007.

Turnover increased by 4% to 拢193.8m on the back of contracts which included the 02 Arena, the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow and Waitrose stores at Rickmansworth, Maidstone and Sandhurst.

The results showed strong progress in 2007. Chief executive Pat Stanborough said: 鈥淒espite the wider turbulence in the financial markets, we remain encouraged about the strength of the order book and the opportunities for future work. The trading result for 2007 is encouraging, and once again, we have increased the dividend.鈥�

Andy Brown of Panmure Gordon said: 鈥淭hese are solid final year results with a better than expected increase in the dividend. London margin performance was good and issues in the Regions have been resolved. The current order book is sound but our caution on the outlook for property remains.鈥�