Shares in Charterhouse fell 7.5p to 25p following the release of a disappointing set of interim results and a further warning that the company was unlikely to improve profits in the year to May. Turnover at the group actually soared 47% to £6.62m but a reduction in reader income and a 'significant fall' in responses to its subscription mailings conspired to send pre-tax profits down 3% to £658,000 after amortisation. Chairman Brian Rowbotham took the sting out of the warning however by announcing that the group had acquired Hemington Scott Publishing for an initial consideration of £4.69m (a further £950,000 will be paid depending on HSP's performance). In the year to March 2000 HSP achieved sales of £5.5m and profits, before exceptionals, of £125,000.