AGA.L Share News (AGA)

Upmarket cooker manufacturer Aga moved back in the black as sales picked up in the second half of the year.The group posted a profit of £0.5m for 2009, down from £14.4m last time, but a recovery from £2.4m loss at half-way. Sales for the year dropped from £279m to £245m.Markets improved as the year progressed, Aga said. Rangemaster orders were up in the year whilst Aga cooker orders were ahead in the last quarter. New products backed by strong commercial offers are designed to maintain the momentum established at the end of 2009, it added."The generation of cash was the big achievement of 2009 and that remains the focus given the caution needed in the current market. Our lead indicators, however, are positive and after a slow order intake at the start of the year, the prospects are encouraging heading into the Spring," chief executive William McGrath said.There is no dividend.