A decision to phase outinvestment in digital cameras after a prolonged slump is cheered by CSR (CSR) investors. The Cambridge-based wireless connectivity chip designer jumps more than 7.5% to 549p as it concentrates on more attractive growth markets, such as audio, in-car, indoor location and its Bluetooth Smart chipset, on which there is more detail in Shares' recent interview with CEO Joep van Beurden.
TUI Travel (TT.) dips 0.4% to 382.6p despite full-year results beating expectations. We'll have a closer look at the numbers later today in a web story.
High street lender Lloyds Banking (LLOY) rises 0.8% to 78.84p after selling its remaining stake in St James’s Place (STJ) for £680 million, as we discuss in more detail here.
FTSE 100 valves and pumps play Weir (WEIR) builds on yesterday's modest advance up 2.5% to £21.23. Speculation is linking US conglomerate General Electric (GE:NYSE) with a £28 a share offer for the company.
Leisure giant Whitbread (WTB) continues to defy its critics with a solid third quarter performance. There's like-for-like sales growth across its hotels, restaurants and coffee house businesses. Yet, as is often the case, the shares had already rallied ahead of the trading update, so investors top slice their holdings on today's announcement. The shares dip 0.6% to £35.04, albeit still leaving Whitbread close to record price highs.
Egypt-based gold producer Centamin (CEY) looks like it has finally secured the geographical diversification sought by investors for a very long time. Its Sukari mine in Egypt is huge but so too is the political risk. That's partially why it has made a takeover offer for Ampella Mining (AMX:ASX) which has gold interests in several West African locations. Centamin has previously dipped its toe in places like Ethiopia but that's only been early-stage exploration. Ampella has more advanced exploration projects and its board has already recommended the takeover offer.
Solid half-year results lift equipment hire group Ashtead (AHT) up 0.8% to 719.5p. The interim dividend has been raised by 50% to 2.25p.
Carpetright (CPR) clips 4.75p ahead to 537.25p as half-year results are devoid of further bad news with investors still jittery following a major profit warning (4 Oct) and CEO Darren Shapland's departure. Pre-tax profits fall 33.3% to £3 million at the carpet and floor coverings retailer. Analysts deduce a recent revival in like-for-like sales and executive chairman Lord Harris says self-help measures will underpin second-half improvements.
Photobooths-to-printing kiosks operator Photo-Me International (PHTM), a running Shares Play of the Week, puts on 2p at 147.5p following record half-year results. In the traditionally-stronger first half, pre-tax profits rise 15% to £23 million, covering off the best part of 80% of finnCap's full-year forecast. Investors are treated to a 20% dividend hike to 1.8p and further special dividends are under consideration. FinnCap raises its price target from 125p to 165p.
Investors seem sceptical over Zytronic's (ZYT:AIM) second-halfrecovery, sending the shares spinning 10% lower to 189.5p. That's despite the touchscreens manufacturer's apparent bounce back after May's profit warning.
Some investors are keen to lock-in recent gains at buy-and-build IT security specialist Accumuli (ACM:AIM) after a two-month 30%-plus run. The shares took an early trading 6% bath to 19.5p, although they've come back since. Well-received interim results earlier this month capped a year in which the stock has roughly doubled to a recent 22.75p record.
Kemin Resources (KEM:AIM) soars 78.4% to 16.5p following favourable pre-feasibility studies on its metal projects in Kazakhstan.
