Somic PLC - Interim Results

RNS No 7011a
SOMIC PLC
20th November 1997

                               INTERIM STATEMENT

The  six  months to 30th September 1997 has seen a further increase  in  Group
turnover to #2,613,060.  This increase in turnover together with close control
of  costs  has  led  to an improved profit before taxation of  #175,136  (1996
#115,297).

Your  directors have decided to pay an interim dividend of 1.375p per share  -
an increase of ten per cent. compared with the interim payment in the previous
year.  The dividend will be paid on 9th February 1998 to those shareholders on
the register on 12th December 1997.

All  areas  of your Group's activities have experienced reasonable  levels  of
demand  and  recent  investments, particularly in  plant  and  machinery,  are
proving beneficial.

Your Group's subsidiary, Mason Fabrics, is undergoing a substantial change  to
its  business  and  is  on  line to produce a significant  increase  in  sales
turnover, as principal, during the remainder of this financial year.

Your  directors look forward to the next six months with a degree of  optimism
and expect the recent improvements to continue.

R. Blackburn
Chairman
20th November 1997

Alliance Works
Preston
Lancs PR1 5PS

                                INTERIM REPORT                                
                          

              (unaudited for half-year ended 30th September 1997)
                                       
                      Half-year  Half-year  Year ended   Year ended
                          ended      ended  March 1997   March 1997
                      September  September   Including    Excluding
                           1997       1996 Exceptional  Exceptional
                                                 Items        Items


                              #          #          #             # 
Group Turnover        2,613,060  2,374,676  4,797,991     4,797,991
                      _________  _________  _________    __________        
                                                                  
Trading Profit (Loss)   145,366     83,481  (507,035)      122,218
                                                                  
Income from rents        29,770     31,816     68,859       68,859
                      _________  _________  _________    __________           
                                 
Group Profit before     175,136    115,297  (438,176)      191,077
taxation
                                                                  
Taxation                 52,292     38,048  (104,826)       51,814
                      _________  _________  _________    __________           
                                
Group Profit after      122,844     77,249  (333,350)      139,263
taxation
                                                                  
Ordinary Dividend        29,150     25,000     62,100       62,100
                      _________  _________  _________    __________           
                                
Retained Profit          93,694     52,249  (395,450)       77,163
                      _________  _________  _________    __________
                                                                 
Earnings per Ordinary     5.79p      3.86p   (16.65)p             
Share
                                                                  
Net Dividends per        1.375p      1.25p      3.00p             
Ordinary Share

The year ended March 1997 figures include exceptional items totalling
#(629,253) as follows:

Change in depreciation policy - #(581,092)
Closure costs of subsidiary   - #( 48,161)

Copies of this interim report are being sent to shareholders and are available
from Somic plc, P.O. Box 8, Alliance Works, Off New Hall Lane, Preston, PR1
5PS

END



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