We said last week that half-year results could be a catalyst to revive shares in Petrofac (PFC) and that proves to be the correct call, the oil services group rising 4.8% to £13.26. The £4.4 billion cap reiterates guidance that revenue and net profit for the whole of 2013 is expected to be 'significantly weighted' towards the second-half period because of project delivery timings. VSA Capital reckons there is no risk to Petrofac's long-term target for earnings and adds: 'With a high quality portfolio of projects, secured at excellent margins allaying market fears, Petrofac should be a safe haven in the sector.'
London estate agent Foxtons has announced plans to float on the UK stockmarket in September. We look at the news in more detail here.
A 17% rise in interim pre-tax profit to £14.1 million helps to push up British Polythene Industries (BPI) 3.3% to 579p. Net debt is slightly reduced and the dividend is nudged up 7% to 4.5p. Chairman Cameron McLatchie says the board would be disappointed if the second-half period doesn't meet or exceed the comparable period in 2012.
Copper producer Antofagasta (ANTO) falls 3.6% to 882p after posting a poor set of interim results, a reflection of weaker commodity prices. Cashflow from operations drops 22.6%, earnings per share declines 38.9% but shareholders will still be paid a dividend, and one that is 4.7% higher than a year ago. Nevertheless, investors are no doubt disappointed that they aren't getting a special dividend which has previously been the realm of large cap miners. That's something to be considered at the year-end, says Antofagasta.
A running Shares Play of the Week, distribution giant Bunzl (BNZL) rises 2.1% to £13.82 on a decent set of half-year results. We remain bullish on the stock.
Penny share Pittards (PTD:AIM) rallies more than 28% higher to 2.62p as half-year results to June show a dramatic pre-tax profits recovery from £12,000 to almost £1 million. Following a balance sheet restructuring and with a share consolidation planned, the leather producer is looking to pay a dividend within the next twelve months.
Serviced office landlord Regus (RGU) rises 0.4% to 186.2p as the market applauds half-year results including a 10% dividend hike. A3% decline in pre-tax profit to £31.1 million was down to costs associated with acquisitions. Otherwise growth was driven by the centres it has owned for at least 12 months, which generated £72.3 million cash, compared to £61.2 million a year ago. Occupancy across the group was 84.2% during the period, compared to 83.9% at the half way point in 2012, while its network increased 14% (or by 203 centres) to more than 1,600 properties, a strategy we analysed in March.
Property play Raven Russia (RUS) jumps 3.8% to 71.1p after half-year pre-tax profits more than double to $68.3 million. The Russian-focused real estate company?s operating cash-flow improved by 50% to $74.4 million. It ended the period with $152 million cash balance. Its portfolio is 97% let and 84,000 square meters of new developments in Moscow were completed during the period, a strategy covered here by Shares late last year.
