Adelaide-based manufacturer Korvest will pay a fully franked half-year dividend of 14¢ for the six months ended December 31 on March 7, up 1¢ on the previous corresponding period. Korvest - which counts Hills Industries as its biggest shareholder - said it expected to beat last year's annual result pending the completion of major projects. In the first half, net profit rose 4.6 per cent to $2.3 million. A strong performance from the EzyStrut cable and pipe support system division offset a fall in demand from other divisions. James Hall

KORVEST Half year 2008 2007 Sales ($m) 24.4 22.4 Pretax ($m) 3.4 3.3 Net ($m) 2.3 22.0 EPS 27.4¢ 26.2¢ Interim div* 14.0¢ ff 13.0¢ ff Shares (last) $5.60 (+2¢ ) *Payable Mar 7