	morgan crucible says prospects are encouraging morgan crucible co plc mgcr l said the prospects for were encouraging with orders and sales significantly up on last year in all divisions it said there were good opportunities for growth in both existing and recently acquired businesses as well as for growth by acquisition in related areas it earlier announced a mln stg rise in pre tax profit to mln stg for the year to december turnover rose to mln from mln most of its companies performed well despite a slowdown in the u s u k and australian economies in the first half currency fluctuations reduced pretax profit by around one mln stg it noted morgan said although profits in the electronics sector improved to mln stg from stg previously results were nonetheless disappointing sales were lower than expected due mainly to delayed defence orders and cancellations however it said it had taken the necessary remedial action obtained new business and was now proceeding with the delivery of major delayed orders morgan shares firmed two pence to p at gmt from p at friday s close reuter 
