13 June 2012 – final results

Marketing services group Creston has announced its annual results for the year to 31 March, with turnover increasing 11% to £74.9m (2011: £67.8m) although adjusted pre-tax profits declined slightly to £10.3m (2011: £10.4m).  Earnings per share were much the same at 12.3p (2011: 12.4p) although the dividend was raised to 3.5p (2011: 3.op).  It is pleasing to see that digital and on-line revenue rose by 13% with international revenues rising by 37%.  These now represent 41% and 30% of group revenues respectively.  After making the initial consideration for The Corkery Group, an agency based in New York, the group was broadly debt free at the year end and a confident statement by the CEO bodes well for the future.  The shares remain a SPECULATIVE BUY.