Multi-utility services supplier Telecom Plus (TEP) gets investors excited again with pleasing full-year results showing 500,000 customers break-through, pre-tax profits up 25% and a 13% payout hike. There's even a Terry Wogan marketing film, driving the shares 11% higher to £15.17.
Breathing disease specialist Vectura (VEC) improves 2.9% to 131.2p as its pre-tax losses are slashed by more than half to £4.8 million. We’ll take a closer look at the story here.
An upgrade from Barclays Capital helps lift oil services firm Petrofac (PFC) 2.1% to £12.19. The analysts lift their rating from 'under weight' to 'equal weight' but cut their price target from £16.55 to £15. Petrofac warned on profits for the second time in a little under six months earlier this month.
Luxury goods leader Burberry (BRBY) rises 1.6% to £15.39 on record full-year results, the first unveiled by new boss Christopher Bailey. But disruption caused by the transition of the beauty business from high margin licensing to direct in-house operation hampered profits growth, while Burberry warns unfavourable currency movements and higher investment spend could crimp profits this year.
The restructuring plans of education apps developer RM (RM.) is going faster and betterthan expected, prompting a 'material' beat for operating profits this year. The shares leap 10% to 142p and analysts are expected to raise current year pre-tax profit estimates of £9.2 million.
After being hit by a big sell-off in technology stocks over the past few months, investors jumped back into Optimal Payments (OPAY:AIM) which is trading ahead of market expectations. The stock rises 8.9% to 368.13p. We highlighted the growing risks to the stock in April in this article, but said the long-term story 'remains compelling'.
Irish distribution business DCC (DCC) jumps 4.9% to £32.57 as full-year resultsbeat expectations. Analyst note strong free cash flow. Investec said 2015 guidance by DCC for 10% earnings per growth 'looks conservative'.
Soft drinks purveyor Britvic (BVIC) fizzes 5.83% higher to 735p on well-received interim figureswhich show CEO Simon Litherland's new strategy is working. The Fruit Shoot-to-Robinsons brand owner's taxable profits grew 20.8% to £45.3 million on sales up 4.7% to £670.7 million, sending earnings per share almost 17% higher to 14.5p.
Public transport specialist FirstGroup (FGP) rises 0.3% to 132.6p as full-year resultsmeet forecasts. It reported a 5.5% increase in operating profit while return on capital employed rose to 8.2% from 7% the previous year. Panmure Gordon analyst Gert Zonneveld comments: 'Progress is being made but it remains a case of jam tomorrow.'
Mezzanine finance specialist Intermediate Capital (ICP) falls 1.9% to 405p following yesterday's weaker-than-expected full-year numbers. Impairments continue to weigh on the business and were behind the 13% decline in asset management profitability in the 12 months to 31 March.
Strong new loans business prompts stockbroker Numis to upgrade its earnings per share estimates for mortgage lender Paragon (PAG) for the full years to September 2014 and September 2015 respectively by 10% and 12%.
Embattled retailer Carpetright (CPR) is flat at 550p despite a boardroom shuffle. Former Coral and HMV man Wilf Walsh has been appointed CEO of the carpets-to-floor coverings specialist. Founder and chairman Lord Harris of Peckham retires in September and his son Martin will also step down from the board, moves which might involve an orderly disposal of the Harris family's shareholding.
Encouraging half-year results from Malaysian data analytics specialist Fusionex (FXI:AIM) drive up the shares by 2% to 485p. The company reports good new businesses, strong trading and progress with its Giant big data suite, batting back the market's recent risk-off sell down from 748p in February.
African oil explorer Tower Resources (TRP:AIM) gains 9.3% to 2.95p after reiterating a view that its Welwitschia-1 well offshore Namibia will be drilled within budget despite a delay due to technical problems. This is the second hold-up on the well which is targeting up to 469 million barrels of oil equivalent net to Tower and means results are likely in late rather than early June.
A positive outlookfor the year sees property group Belvoir Lettings (BLV:AIM) rise 3.9% to 117.5p. The company is also looking for a new CEO after Carl Chadwick steps down with immediate effect after two months in the role to focus on his other interests. He was previously the finance director.
Drug company ImmuPharma (IMM:AIM) falls 4.1% to 46.5p on its pre-tax losses increasing7.3% to £4.4 million during 2013 as the company continues to fund the development of its pipeline.
Specialist wellhead provider Plexus (POS:AIM) ticks up 3.5% to 295p as it announcesa contract with a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB). No value is announced but Numis comments: 'This is the first contract from Shell China, as it (Plexus) continues to expand its global reach and client base, particularly in Asia given their decision to establish and support an Asian sales and service hub.'
Stobart (STOB) slips 1.8% to 133p after the logistics outfit's final results reveala fall in underlying pre-tax profit from continuing operations to £5.4 million versus £6.3 million a year earlier.
