Integrity Holdings, the Dublin-based software and financial services company, was on a "growth path" and would be announcing two further acquisitions, costing $1.5 million (€1.47 million), shortly, said chief financial officer, Mr Paul Carroll.

They have not been identified but are in information technology and Irish based and "very strategic for us", he said. Further acquisitions in Europe "have been identified" according to the group.

It has spent $5.3 million on six acquisitions since its establishment, 12 months ago. Last February, it acquired the Dublin-based Premier Computer Group for £4 million. Announcing profit before tax and goodwill, of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 1999, 8.3 per cent ahead of the first quarter, he said the company hoped to get a full listing on the US Nasdaq market by the end of the year.

It already has a listing on Nasdaq's bulletin board but there are limited dealings on this market.

"We are very excited about where we are going," said Mr Carroll. The second six months should be "at least as good [as the first half] if not better".

The management owns more than 55 per cent of Integrity. Institutions and other employees own the remainder. The latest results show a 22 per cent rise in gross revenue to $10.1 million between the first and second quarters. The profits were ahead of target, said Integrity.

The group said that following the acquisition of the intellectual property rights and assets of Axon Veterinary, a company called Premier Veterinary Software Services was established and it would be licensed exclusively to market and distribute in Britain "where it controls approximately 60 per cent of the veterinary software market".

Integrity remains in a strong financial position with net cash of $1.3 million. Mr Carroll said it generated net operating cash of $500,000 in the second quarter.