Stock market shorts: Johnson Service; James Fisher

DRYCLEANING, facilities management and linen services company Johnson Services Group gave a brief update on trading, stating it is performing well.

Chairman John Talbot will tell the Cheshire-based firm’s annual meeting: ”
“The group has traded in line with management’s expectations during the first four months of the year.

“Our businesses are all performing well and I am pleased that we continue to see like for like growth in drycleaning.  We remain confident in achieving a satisfactory result for the full year 2013 and continuing to build on the progress made in 2012.”

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CUMBRIA-based marine services group James Fisher said in a trading update it had made a good start to the year.

The group’s specialist technical division has made a positive start to the year with ship-to-ship transfer volumes remaining strong and an increase in the order book for its marine products and ports businesses.

The offshire oil business is seeing increased demand both in the North Sea and in the fast growing markets of Brazil, Africa and Asia.

The newly-acquired Divex business is trading well and has received a letter of intent for a major saturated diving system. Marine oil, Fisher’s coastal tanker business, is trading “as expected”.

In a statement the group said: “The absence of last year’s major Olympic contract and fewer projects within our Defence business, will weight growth this year more to the second half.  But with its strong balance sheet, proven strategy and focus on the fast growing offshore and marine services markets across the world, James Fisher remains well placed to produce good growth and value for our shareholders.”