London’s FTSE 100 edges higher in early trading, investors keeping their powder dry ahead of the UK's consumer-price and producer-price indices due out mid-morning.

On a busy day for results announcements, housebuilder Bellway (BWY) rises 2.4% to £28.96 on record first half earnings, results showing almost all key metrics moving in the right direction with volume growth supported by the Help to Buy scheme.

Investors bet on online gaming group 888 (888), bid up 6% to 248p on better-than-expected full year results. These show strong organic sales and profit growth and substantial free cash flow and there’s a confident outlook statement.

Small-sided soccer centres operator Goals (GOAL:AIM) scores with a 4.8% gain to 99.5p on the encouraging tenor of annual results. The new management team reports profit growth, a positive trend in like-for-like sales and a good start to 2017.

Inhalation products play Vectura (VEC) improves 5.1% to 165.4p, full year results revealing a significant leap in royalty income.

Attractions and theme park ticketing and queuing technology specialist Accesso Technology (ACSO:AIM) ticks 12.5p higher to £15.80 as full year results reveal a 40% taxable profits surge to £10.1m on revenue up 10% to $102.5m. The new financial year has also started well with a range of contract wins.

High-flying premium mixers marvel Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) falls back 4.4% to £13.98, despite serving up fantastic full year results, strong sales growth delivered across ‘all regions, channels and flavours’. While Fevertree flags ‘an encouraging start to 2017’, the absence of yet another round of upgrades encourages some investors to take profits.

EnQuest (ENQ) clips ahead 2.4% to 42.5p as full year profits rise despite a fall in revenues. Production rose by 8.7% to an average of 39,751 barrels of oil equivalent per day while operating costs fell to $24.6 per barrel compared with $29.7 in 2015. Investors also welcome the news that development of the Kraken field in the North Sea continues to be under budget and on track for first oil in the second quarter.

Global payments platform Earthport (EPO:AIM) slumps 14.3% to 22.5p despite half year results revealing continued strength in transaction numbers and payment volumes, investors focusing on continued losses and the news break-even will be delayed due to additional investment in new growth initiatives.

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Issue Date: 21 Mar 2017