Dow Jones smallcap news is now on Twitter, allowing you to catch
up on the news away from your desk. Go to
http://twitter.com/DJ_UK_Smallcaps
LOW & BONAR PLC (LWB.LN), a yarns and fabrics company,
Thursday named Steve Good as its new chief executive, following the
resignation of Paul Forman, and said it expects second-half profits
to be materially improved on the first half.
At 1416 GMT, shares +1 pence, or 2.7%, at 38 pence.
ONECLICKHR PLC (OCR.LN) posted a massive rise in first-half 2009
pretax profit as sales rose 20% following a number of new contract
wins and product releases in the period.
In the first half ended June 30, the human resources software,
training services and solutions provider made a pretax profit of
GBP356,000 on revenue of GBP3.26 million, compared with profit of
GBP23,000 a year earlier on revenue of GBP2.76 million.
At 1417 GMT, shares +1.37 pence, or 18%, at 8.88 pence.
PLAYTECH LTD. (PTEC.LN), an online gaming company, Thursday
posted a sharp rise in first-half earnings and said despite its
joint venture with William Hill getting off to a slower start than
expected, it will be a "big contributor" to future earnings.
The company lifted its interim dividend 17% as it posted a
first-half pretax profit of EUR32.8 million, up from EUR24 million
a year earlier.
At 1417 GMT, shares +11.25 pence, or 3.4%, at 344 pence.
HMV Group PLC (HMV.LN), the U.K. entertainment retailer,
Thursday posted a 1.8% fall in underlying sales across its business
for the first 18 weeks of its fiscal 2010 but said future trading
will be bolstered by a deal to strengthen its digital business.
Sales at HMV and Waterstone's bookshop stores open more than a
year in the five countries it trades in fell 1.8% in the 18 weeks
to Aug. 29. However, total sales at its U.K. and Ireland HMV stores
rose 13% in the first quarter, partly attributed to the demise of
rivals Woolworths and Zavvi at the end of last year.
At 1418 GMT, shares -3 pence, or 2.6%, at 111.7 pence.
PREMIER FARNELL PLC (PFL.LN), an electronics distributor,
Thursday posted a 40% drop in second-quarter pretax profit, but
said group sales have improved in August and it continues to take
market share in Europe and Asia.
Speaking to Dow Jones Newswires, Chief Executive Harriet Green
said there were signs the firm has seen the bottom of the market
and product developments should enable it to continue winning new
business and grow market share.
At 1418 GMT, shares -14.5 pence, or 8.9%, at 148.5 pence.
KBC ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES PLC (KBC.LN), an oil consultancy
group, raised its interim dividend despite a 48% drop in first-half
pretax profit, pointing to "clear signs" of improving trading
conditions at the end of June.
The company said it expects its new environmental services unit
to break even this year as it benefits from increased environmental
awareness in the U.S.
At 1418 GMT, shares -3 pence, or 6.5%, at 43 pence.
ABBEY PROTECTION PLC (ABB.LN), the legal and professional fees
insurer, Thursday said it is sizing up acquisition targets and is
optimistic about its second half based on robust demand for its
services.
The firm Thursday raised its interim dividend as it posted a 10%
rise in first-half pretax profit.
Chief Executive Colin Davison told Dow Jones Newswires: "We're
looking for a complementary acquisition, probably in compliance
consultancy and ideally in health and safety."
At 1418 GMT, shares +1.5 pence, or 2.3%, at 67 pence.
MCBRIDE PLC (MCB.LN) Thursday posted a 41% rise in fiscal-year
pretax profit as sales were boosted by increased demand from
shoppers for the cheaper own-brand household and personal care
products it makes, adding that it made a good start to the 2010
fiscal year.
At 1419 GMT, shares +6.1 pence, or 4%, at 160.4 pence.
SOFTWARE RADIO TECHNOLOGY PLC (SRT.LN), the radio technology
developer, said it has received an $18 million order for its
Automatic Identification System Class B product from a customer
based in Asia.
The device is used to identify and track vessels and is used by
some countries to improve the safety and security of their coastal
and inland waterways.
At 1419 GMT, shares +1 pence, or 17%, at 7 pence.
WINCANTON PLC (WIN.LN), a logistics company, said it has been
awarded several contracts by major U.K. retailer Marks &
Spencer Group PLC (MKS.LN) to run parts of its supply chain, in a
deal expected to generate GBP275 million of revenue.
At 1420 GMT, shares +5.25 pence, or 2.4%, at 220.25 pence.
ECOSECURITIES GROUP PLC (ECO.LN), a carbon trading firm, said it
is in discussions with a third party over a possible offer for
it.
The news follows an increased offer Tuesday from Dutch
investment company Guanabara Holdings BV. The offer was increased
17% to 90 pence a share, valuing the company at about GBP106
million.
Sweden's Tricorona AB (TRIC.SK) said has decided not to proceed
with an offer, the firm said.
At 1420 GMT, shares +2.5 pence, or 2.8%, at 90.5 pence.
FTSE SMALL CAP +0.6%
FTSE AIM +1.2%
-By Hannah Benjamin, Rachael Gormley and Zechariah Hemans, Dow
Jones Newswires; 44 20 7842 9272; uksmallcaps@dowjones.com
Order free Annual Report for Premier Farnell plc
Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0003318416 or
call +44 (0)208 391 6028
Order free Annual Report for KBC Advanced Technologies plc
Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0004804646 or
call +44 (0)208 391 6028
Order free Annual Report for McBride plc
Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0005746358 or
call +44 (0)208 391 6028
Order free Annual Report for Marks and Spencer PLC
Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0031274896 or
call +44 (0)208 391 6028