They find that, at best, standards have remained the same or improved marginally.

Its combined ratio improved marginally from 99 per cent to 98 per cent.

Considering the two defensive line-ups, it was hardly a surprise that neither side barely mustered a chance between them in the first half and only improved marginally in the second.

As a result, the pound was flat yesterday, ending almost exactly where it began against the dollar at $1.296, while it improved marginally against the euro to €1.163.

By 1907 conditions improved marginally, but the streets were left in their unkempt state and by 1910 this had still not been addressed.

Tourism only increased marginally since the creation of the national park, but has become less harmful to the environment.

Power output of the other engines was increased marginally.

Consequently, nozzle gross thrust initially only increases marginally with flight speed.

In 1787 the population had only increased marginally to 4052 and in 1801 actually declined slightly to 4012 people.

The population increased marginally between 2001 and 2006, a result of new dwellings being added to the area.

Results in these schools are marginally higher than the top performers in the north table.

Profits, however, were marginally higher than in 2013.

The practice of buying pushes the share price marginally higher, after which the software sells the shares to the investors for the inflated price.

The shares recovered to close marginally higher at 407¼p.

This broadly matches the inflow of funds during the same period last year, although sales of self-invested personal pensions were marginally higher this time.

Third-quarter group profits were marginally lower at $2.2 billion, taking nine-month earnings 40 per cent higher to $8.7 billion.

The lower fee and marginally lower rate will mean that some people will be better off with this deal.

The offers would be marginally lower and take into account the difficulties deprived students have.

The share surge came despite marginally lower sales at both chains.

Although analysts expect underlying sales growth will come in at between 3 and 4 per cent, pretax profits are expected to be marginally lower.

For many middle-ranking rock bands, whose tours are only marginally profitable, they are essential.

But the frackers were hugely profitable when oil was $100 a barrel - and, at best, are only marginally profitable at the current price of around $60.

The company acted for any number of mid-tier retailers as well, business that was only marginally profitable.

Maybe it was only marginally profitable, but no title could have survived such a lengthy loss of production.

The train was marginally profitable, when mail and express revenue was included.