Stocks Focus: Macfarlane Group ; Stocks Focus: Sse Stocks Focus: Balfour Beatty Stocks Focus: Itv

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MACFARLANE Group, the UK's largest packaging distributor, could be on the acquisition trail after chief executive Peter Atkinson hinted that he was looking at potential targets. The Glasgow-based company, which has distribution centres across the UK, saw like-for- like sales of operations, packaging, and printed labels fall by 11%. Turnover from continuing operations fell to pound(s)124 million, down from pound(s)131m in 2008, while pre-tax profits dropped from pound(s)3.7m to pound(s)2.5m. Shares closed at 20p.

SCOTTISH and Southern Energy (SSE) confirmed that it is to cut its gas bills for domestic customers by 4% from March 29. The average annual household bill will drop by pound(s)30, according to the Perth-based energy provider. SSE's announcement comes a month after British Gas cut its standard household gas prices by an average of 7% with others expected to follow suit. The utility has 3.5 million gas customers. Electricity prices will remain unchanged. Shares closed at pound(s)11.24.

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Stocks Focus: Macfarlane Group ; Stocks Focus: Sse Stocks Focus: Balfour Beatty Stocks Focus: Itv

BALFOUR Beatty, the construction and infrastructure ...

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