DCC, the industrial holding company, should increase its profit before tax and exceptional items from £28.5 million to £30 million in the year to April 30th, 1997, and to £33.4 million in the following year. Earnings per share are forecast to increase from 25.2p to 27.8p and to 30.5p over the same period, according to the latest review of the company by British stockbrokers, Greig Middleton.

Food and healthcare are predicted to be the main engines of growth in 1996/97 reflecting strong underlying growth and contributions from acquisitions. The review says that the DCC shares deserve at least a sector rating and that this would imply a price of around 355p sterling.