While the market may lack big-name corporate news, the FTSE 100 follows yesterday's big rise with another 0.5% gain to 6,453. Next week's corporate reporting calendar looks bare with only a handful of household names set to report. We've got finals from SuperGroup (SGP) on Thursday (11 Jul), coinciding with a trading update from recruitment agency Hays (HAS). The day before (10 Jul), there's an update from housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV). The big one for investors will be Marks & Spencer's (MKS) first quarter trading on Tuesday (9 Jul) where the shares have been weak since full-year results in May.
FTSE 250 oil firm Afren (AFR) gained 1% to 136.3p after increasing its stake in Nigerian subsidiary First Hydrocarbon Nigeria as we explore in more detail here.
Copper miner Antofagasta (ANTO) dipped 2.3% to 815.5p after Chile's Supreme Court ruled that an early warning system and evacuation plan was needed for the miner's Mauro tailings dam. No changes need be made to the operation or the company?s main mine Los Pelambres.
Centamin (CEY) extended yesterday's rally with an 11% rise to 39.7p on hopes a change of government in Egypt would aid the company's court battle over its Sukari gold mine.
Real estate investment trust British Land (BLND) improved 1.6% to 594p after announcing that the investments funded by its £1 billion placing in March would lift its earnings in 2014, ahead of its expectations. The running Shares Play of the Week has increased its London exposure after buying 1 million square feet of Paddington Central, a development that comprises offices, shops and a hotel, for £470 million from insurer Aviva (AV.).
Stoke-on-Trent ceramics maker Churchill China (CHH:AIM) edged up 2.5p to 342.5p on a positive trading update. The £37.1 million cap said strong momentum seen in the first quarter has continued into the second quarter, with its dominant hospitality division leading the way.
Unloved private label shower gels-to-shampoos developer McBride (MCB) put on a penny at 118p on a reassuring trading update indicated an improved second-half performance. Investec analyst Nicola Mallard, with a 'buy' rating and 135p price target, sticks with her forecasts for lower profits of £18.5 million (2012: £23.7 million) and 7.6p of earnings (2012: 9.7p) for the year to June.
Education IT kit supplier Promethean World (PRW:AIM) may have bottomed out as investors snapped up stock on the back of a new £25 million bank funding deal. The hope is that Promethean can accelerate plans to build out its software solutions, where margins will be higher and revenues more reliable, ambitions that sparked a 13.5% jump to 14.75p.
Inkjet print head technology designer and manufacturer Xaar (XAR) hit a record 825p as investors continue to chase the stock higher, up over 5% today. The Cambridge area-based firm is riding high amid huge demands from its global ceramics customers that has re-rated the stock 195% higher so far this year.
Microcap education and government e-procurement specialist @UK (ATUK:AIM) jumped 16% to 7.25p in response to an AGM statement that flagged ambitious plans to hit £50 million revenues within three-to-five years. Revenues last year were up 6% to £2.2 million, so it's got plenty to do.
US onshore oil & gas play Magnolia Petroleum (MAGP:AIM) fell 1% to 2.5p despite announcing a boost to net production and securing interests in new wells in Oklahoma. Its 4% stake the Helguson well, in the Bakken play in North Dakota, added 57 barrels of oil equivalent per day to net production and announced it will take working interests, ranging from 0.3% to 12.5%, in seven Oklahoma wells for around $300,000.
Oil explorer Frontier Resources (FRI:AIM) made its move from ISDX to AIM today, raising a gross £1.8 million in the process. The Middle East and southern Africa-focussed company has a £6.6 million market cap.
Oil & gas firm Petroceltic (PCI:AIM) was unchanged at 135p it started legal proceedings against two parties with whom the company's previous board had entered into service and consultancy agreements on its North African assets. The action was initiated in Ireland's High Court after it received correspondence from one of the parties seeking a £2.2 million payment.
Enhanced oil recovery specialist Resaca Exploitation (RSOX:AIM) de-listed from AIM following the wind up of the company.
