Radius Plc’s interim figures might not look too spectacular, but that is mainly due to the figures a year ago benefitting from an exceptional gain. Pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30 were up just 3% to ú835,000, but last year’s figure included a ú268,000 gain from the sale of surplus land. Under all that, operating profits were up by 50% this time. Turnover for the Hull-based systems integrator rose 9% to ú13.4m. Software sales saw the biggest rise, and software maintenance revenues were also up, offsetting a decline in hardware revenues. Chairman Michael Roberts said at the full-year stage that better prospects overseas for the printing and retail divisions would lead to steady growth, and so it has proved. A technical and support centre was set up in Toronto to deal with the retail growth. The Pecas print software has won two major orders in the US as well as others at home. However, the UK public sector continues to disappoint for Radius. The anticipated pick-up in local government business has not happened, but Roberts believes that this time it will. The autumn will be busy one for the company, anticipated Roberts. Cash balances at were a healthy ú4.4m at the half-way stage, up marginally from a year ago. The company will pay an interim dividend up 55% on last time at 0.45 pence per share.
