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Bid speculation has lifted the shares of Shanks (SKS) by 23% to 240p since mid-November. It could be among several waste management companies to be taken over during 2008, according to Catalyst Corporate... READ MORE >>

The retail sector has been rocked by two exceptionally bearish trading statements from Land of Leather (LAN) and DSG International (DSGI), which issued its second profits warning in two months. Apart from causing concern to their own shareholders the woes of these companies have underlined... READ MORE >>

Gaming software developer Playtech (PTEC:AIM) will beat profit forecasts following a surge in sales late last year, the company says. Monthly revenues hit record highs towards the end of 2007, as it enjoys strong demand from the online, mobile and traditional gaming... READ MORE >>

Recent news that Tulloch Homes, a Scottish house builder, froze its plans to float on Aim at the end of last month added to concerns about the health of the sector, which has plunged since its peak in 2006. This week, companies start the round of trading statements, beginning with... READ MORE >>

Technology stocks underperformed for the sixth time in seven years last year and an early flurry of cautious trading statements suggest 2008 could also be testing. High performance PC component maker OCZ Technology’s (OCZ:AIM) shares crashed 26% to an all-time low of 34p when chief... READ MORE >>

Technology stocks underperformed for the sixth time in seven years last year and an early flurry of cautious trading statements suggest 2008 could also be testing. High performance PC component maker OCZ Technology’s (OCZ:AIM) shares crashed 26% to an all-time low of 34p when chief... READ MORE >>

Troubled healthcare group Nestor Healthcare (NSR) has confirmed it has received preliminary bid approaches which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company. Back in November, shares in Nestor lost more than half their value after the company revealed it would miss market... READ MORE >>

Retail group WH Smith (SMWH) is not due to issue its trading update until its AGM on 31 January but Nick Bubb of Pali International believes that the group is ‘unlikely to disappoint.’ The AGM will almost certainly be followed by an earnings enhancing 15% share buyback. Bubb believes... READ MORE >>

A multi-year, $70 million order from an unnamed global bank for Autonomy’s (AU.) compliance archiving solution suggests the unstructured data management expert is a rare example of a firm which will benefit from the sub-prime debt crisis. While most IT services and software stocks have... READ MORE >>

A risqué hotels group has failed in its efforts to raise £100 million for an Aim listing, blaming volatile market conditions for deterring institutional interest. Japan Leisure Hotels, which will invest in ‘love hotels’, will join the junior market next Wednesday (16 January) two... READ MORE >>

US-focused Nighthawk Energy (HAWK:AIM) has announced an encouraging update from its Cisco Springs project in Utah. A drilling and development programme of over 60 wells is ongoing and all seven of the wells spudded as part of a winter drilling programme that commenced in late October have... READ MORE >>

The British Retail Consortium has confirmed what analysts were forecasting and investors were fearing: Christmas last year was the worst for several years, with like-for-like sales inching up by a meagre 0.3%. Although there have been comparatively few trading statements as we go to press,... READ MORE >>

Most fund managers have been struggling to hold on to assets. But, given the statistics it has provided us in recent months, the story would appear to be different for Charlemagne Capital (CCAP:AIM). Following a rocky patch in November, Charlemagne’s fund range – which is focused on... READ MORE >>

It would appear one of the key barriers to a takeover of Northern Rock (NRK) may be closer to resolution. Any bidder – Olivant and Virgin are the two currently in play (see page 28) – would have to secure a multi billion-pound loan to immediately pay back some of the emergency funding... READ MORE >>

According to reports, the Serious Fraud Office has asked Smith & Nephew (SN.) to hand over documents as part of an investigation into claims that British companies were involved in corrupt contracts in Iraq towards the end of Saddam Hussein’s era. Reports suggest S&N made payments... READ MORE >>

The unexpected departure of chief operating officer Mike Shinya saw shares in Micro Focus (MCRO) marked down by 4% to 235p earlier this week. No reasons were given for Shinya’s exit after just 18 months in the post, but the loss of a senior manager could affect the firm’s pipeline,... READ MORE >>

Prospects for staffing agencies look rosier after a robust trading update from Michael Page (MPI) triggered a revival in recruitment shares. The company reported a 38% rise in fourth-quarter gross profit on strong demand for candidates, sending its shares up 9% intraday on Tuesday to... READ MORE >>

FTSE 250 silver producer Hochschild Mining (HOC) saw its shares fall 32% to 310p intraday Tuesday after a profit warning. It has blamed higher depreciation charges and lower-quality ore at two mines that will reduce gross profit and margin. Profit in 2008 will be negatively affected by a... READ MORE >>

Investors in Sheffield-based Henry Boot (BHY) were reassured as the company said that the valuation of its property and development portfolio will be higher than the figure disclosed at the half year in September. This is thanks to £75 million invested over the year without increasing the... READ MORE >>

Ethanol-from-corn producer Renova Energy (RUA:AIM) returned from suspension on Monday and crashed 62% to an all-time low of 13p, valuing the company at just £4 million compared with £80 million in 2006. Renova is fighting for survival as it needs to raise the best part of £10 million... READ MORE >>