Reduced earnings guidance triggers a mass sell-off in gambling provider Bwin.Party (BPTY), down 14.7% to 108.6p. New taxes in Germany have eaten into profit and current trading is below market expectations. What's interesting is that the analyst community aren't prepared to be big sellers of the stock. They are sitting on the fence, in general, saying there's brighter spots in the near future with US expansion, new products, a rising dividend and a ?10 million share buyback programme.
Frankie & Benny's owner Restaurant (RTN) rises 2% to 549.5p on an excellent set of half-year results. Net debt is falling, the dividend's gone up 17% and new restaurants are trading ahead of expectations. All this underpins our 'buy' stance on the stock which is a running Play of the Week.
Small cap property consultant Sweett (CSG:AIM) jumps 16% to 43.5p after upgrading its earnings guidance for the second time in two months. We look at the situation in more detail here.
Online video specialist Perform (PER) drifts l.6% to 524p despite reassuring interims that reveal strong subscription renewals at its core Watch&Bet business and strong growth in its nascent advertising operations.
UK and Swedish life insurer Chesnara (CSN) rises 2.2% to 265.5p on a 134% increase in pre-tax profits to £21.8 million for the six months to 30 June. Improving investment incomes and collecting 76% more cash than in the first half of 2012 at £21.9 million drives a 2.5% interim dividend boost to 6.25p per share.
Debt-laden publisher Independent News & Media (INM) falls 20.8% to 4.8c as interims fail to reassure that a restructuring and digital growth will mitigate against the company?s high gearing.
Production at Amerisur Resources' (AMER:AIM) flagship field, Platanillo, has been suspended because of national strikes in Colombia. Yet the market isn't too bothered, the shares nudging up 0.6% to 45.25p.
Good drill results in Armenia send Orogen Gold (ORE:AIM) up 14.8% to 0.5p. In light of renewed investor interest in the mining sector, it is pleasing to see stocks once again getting proper recognition for exploration success.
Floorcoverings distributor Headlam (HEAD) slips 3.1% lower to 370p on poor first-half figures and a highly uncertain trading statement. As flagged in a recent (8 Jul) profits warning, the £317.3 million cap reports a 10.1% taxable profits decline to £9.1 million for the half to June reflecting weak UK and Continental European markets. Today, Headlam highlights ongoing weak trading in July and guides towards a flat dividend for 2013, but only 'subject to the group achieving a reasonable performance during the second six months of the year'.
