T Clarke Reports Profit Increase

British electrical contractor T Clarke Plc reported an 86 percent rise in 2008 adjusted pretax profit on higher revenue, raised its final dividend by 8 percent and said it expected 2009 revenue to be at more modest levels.The Uk-based group posted pre-tax profit of £13.4 million for the year to 31 December 2008, up from £8.2 million in 2007. Turnover rose 15.4% to £223.7 million, up from £193.8m the previous year.

Chief Executive Pat Stanborough said in a statement"While market conditions remain challenging and visibility on future workload is more limited now than it has been for some time, we continue to further diversify our business...so that we are not overly dependent on any one sector."

T Clarke said its order book at the year-end stood at £160 million, compared with £215 million at the end of 2007, in addition to contracts worth £30 million currently under negotiation.