P512ORACLE 512 Mon24 Feb C4 1708:07       VICKERS  Dividend 8p making 13p (10p) Total sales £611.2m (£528.8m) Profit before tax £45.1m (£30.8m) Earnings per share 36.3p (28.6p) All the company's key activities showed increased profitability with the exception of marine engineering, where substantial development costs arose. But the commitment to investment remains strong, says the firm, and the expenditure already made is expected to bring profitable growth in the future. The company's shares jumped on the news City headlines 500 Company News 510 FINANCIAL ADVERTISERS see 572