LONDON (ShareCast) - Support services firm Macfarlane rose after it saw profits double to £1m on sales that jumped 12% to £64.4m.

“It would be unrealistic to assume that we will be immune to the effects of a general economic downturn but we have taken actions to ensure that our infrastructure is in line with a reduced level of demand and we are confident that we have the business strength and momentum to cope,” said the group.

Car rental company Avis Europe said current expectations for the full year underlying result is unchanged but warned things could change it the difficult economic environment and weak used car markets worsen. Pre-tax losses narrowed to €6.8m from €6.9m on sales that rose 2.7% to €620.7m.

Land developer Henry Boot said trading profits rose three-fold to £30.2m on revenue that increased to £119.3m from £47.1m, largely from land sales and a positive contribution from the construction division. The revaluation of investment properties resulted in a deficit of £8.2m compared with a surplus of £13m in 2007.

Office space provider MWB Business Exchange surged ahead after it posted results ahead of expectations, with profits doubling to £8.8m on revenue that grew 25%.

Electronic security systems developer Visonic saw profits increase four-fold to $4.3m on sales that rose 20% to $44.66m.

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