HASTIE GROUP Full year20092008 Sales ($m) 1,781.0 1,270.7 Pretax ($m) 68.9 47.1 Net ($m) 58.3 37.96 EPS 32.4¢ 29.2¢ Final div* 5.0¢ ff 9.0¢ ff Shares (last)$1.965 (+ 14¢ ) *PayableOct 19 Building services and refrigeration group Hastie Group is targeting 2009-10 revenue in line with last year but said results would depend on the timing of the recovery in its markets. Hastie expects to benefit this financial year from increased expenditure on government-backed projects related to hospitals and schools and renewed activity in the commercial sector. It reported a 53 per cent rise in 2009-10 net profit to $58.3 million and cut its fully franked final dividend to 5¢ per share from 9¢ a year ago. It said it had commitments for about 90 per cent of 2010 revenue and a solid pipeline of prospects. Hastie's net debt fell to $171 million at June 30, 2009, following a $77 million equity placement and entitlement offer in June. It has $88 million cash and undrawn term facilities of $128 million. Michael Smith LINDSAY AUSTRALIA Full year20092008 Sales ($m) 218.7 196.2 Pretax ($m) 4.77 2.9 Net ($m) 4.02 2.0 EPS 2.7¢ 1.4¢ Final div* 1.0¢ ff 0.5¢ ff Shares (last)20¢ (+ 2¢ ) *PayableSep 30 Transport and rural supplies company Lindsay Australia said net profit doubled to $4.02 million for the year to June 30, 2009 on increased freight revenues and an improved tax rate. Business conditions remained difficult in the year, while labour costs fell as a per cent of total revenue. Its trading performance in its historically poor second half improved. Lindsay declared a final dividend of 1¢ per share fully franked compared to 0.5¢ a year ago. Michael Smith PENRICE SODA HOLDINGS Full year20092008 Sales ($m) 162.3 135.1 Pretax ($m) 8.3 15.2 Net ($m) 7.1 7.3 EPS 14.3¢ 16.11¢ Final div Nil 5.0¢ ff Shares (last)95¢ ( -5¢ ) Penrice Soda Holdings said it expected to resume dividends and increase earnings this year, subject to global market conditions, taking advantage of growth in Asian demand for sodium bicarbonate. The first priority is to boost cash flow and reduce gearing levels. Paul Garvey