25 FEBRUARY 1938, Page 44

COLTRTAULDS' DIVIDEND.

The market was not overjoyed by the profit and dividend statement of Courtaulds, which showed that the net earnings had risen by approximately £77,400 to £2,373,892, while the final dividend was maintained at 7 per cent , making rol per cent. for the year. This is nearly the same. dividend as a year ago, after allowing for the fact that last year's interim dividend was paid tax free. But the directors' statement has a sting in its tail. " The present outlook for business," they say, is not very encouraging." Perhaps if it were remembered that Courtaulds is a world-wide concern which must inevitably feel the business recession in the U.S.A., this addendum would have caused little surprise.

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