H&H Group reports steady trading year

Carlisle-based H&H Group, which includes livestock auctioneer Harrison & Hetherington, reported a steady trading year in its accounts for the year ending 30 June 2006.

 Pre-tax profits reached £644,000 on a turnover of just £8m. New group chairman Alan Bowe announced a final share dividend of 11.5p/share, bringing the overall payment to 16p/share – up 7% on last year.

 Uncertainty caused by CAP reform and delayed single farm payment receipts had seen income fall in the group’s agricultural activities in the first half of the year, and less livestock marketed.

 “Some stability has returned, other than for milk producers where returns in no way reflect the considerable capital and effort involved,” Mr Bowe added.