A lengthy list of stocks going ex-dividend weighs on the FTSE 100, off 34 points at 7,315 early on, the blue chip benchmark tracking falls on Wall Street overnight and in Asia this morning.

Royal Mail (RMG) posts a 2.2% gain to 428.4p despite warning its pension plan surplus will run out in 2018. Annual contributions of £400m could more than double to £1bn-plus in 2018 ‘if no changes are made’, says Royal Mail, whose decision to close the plan to future accrual on 31 March 2018 is viewed favourably by the market.

Bonding materials and solutions specialist Scapa (SCPA:AIM) skips 7.9% higher to 398.5p as CEO Heejae Chae cheers with news sales, profits and margins beat expectations for the year to March just-ended.

Virtual workforce technology disruptor Blue Prism (PRSM:AIM) marches 10% higher to 526p on news full year sales will be ‘significantly ahead’ of already-upgraded expectations with the group’s momentum continuing to build.

Also in rude health is Mediclinic International (MDC), the private hospital group with operations in Southern Africa, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

Shares in the group, formed through the merger of Al Noor Hospitals and Mediclinic, are marked up 31p (4.2%) to 767.5p as the company says it expects its performance in the Middle East to improve through the year to March 2018.

Select gold miners shine too, among them Acacia Mining (ACA), bid up almost 6% to 497.2p and Egyptian gold producer Centamin (CEY), which improves 5.2% to 190.7p.

Engineering and technology recruiter Gattaca (GATC:AIM) crashes 9% to 272p after warning profits for the year to 31 July will be around 10-15% below management’s expectations. Gattaca blames delays to projects and hiring following the Brexit vote as well as unexpected costs for the earnings shortfall.

Tool hire specialist HSS Hire (HSS) cheapens 1.5p or 2.3% to 62.5p, investors unnerved by the news long-serving CEO John Gill is stepping down after eight years in the hot seat. No replacement has been found, yet.

Circle Property (CRC:AIM) perks up 2% to 153.5p as an independent valuation shows a 19.7% increase in the company’s portfolio in the 12 months to the end of March, largely due to its ongoing asset management programme.

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Issue Date: 13 Apr 2017