Coats Viyella Pbt Dips

British textiles group Coats Viyella Plc yesterday said 1998 had got off to a reasonable start after what it described as disappointing 1997 results. Pre-tax profit fell to £52.9 million ($86.7 million) in 1997, while the company cut its total dividend to 4.7 pence per share for the year, from 8.8 pence in 1996. Coats Viyella said the strong sterling wiped almost £20 million off its operating profit.