UK Shares quickly move into the green in early trade on Monday, bucking negative predictions for a slow start after the terror attacks in Paris over the weekend. The FTSE 100 index rallies around 26 points, or about 0.4%, higher to 6,140, stubbornly refusing to match the early falls on many of Europe's leading markets.
Miners lead the way with Anglo American (AAL) heading the charge of four industry giants at the top of the Footsie leader board. Travel group TUI (TUI) tops the Footsie fallers, slumping more than 7% to £10.85, no doubt hit by tourist travel fears in the wake of events in France.
In corporate news, distribution specialist Diploma (DPLM) gains 9.4% to 665p as new revenue from acquired units bolsters a meagre 1% gain in underlying revenue at constant currencies. Overall, revenue was up 9% and operating profit 5% as currency headwinds and weakness in civil aerospace and motorsport markets weighted on like-for-like growth.
Mid cap oil company Premier Oil (PMO) gains 6.3% to 73.15p as it sells its Norwegian business for $120 million. The proceeds will be used to pay down debt.
Among the bigger movers, drug developer Eden Research (EDEN:AIM) jumps 11.4% to 14.6p on receiving milestone payment-generating approval to start selling fungicide 3AEY in Kenya. 3AEY attacks the Botrytis fungus that forms on crops.
Media tiddler PCG Entertainment (PCGE:AIM) soars 50% to 1.88p as it reveals Q3 revenue rose to about $6 million. Its operating profit in the same quarter was about $400,000, reversing year ago losses of $2.2 million.
An agreement to sell various exploration assets sparks a 16% gain to 2.75p for InfraStrata (INFA:AIM). The company has reorganised its business and will concentrate on its Northern Ireland strategic gas storage project.
Property services group HML (HMLH) losses 7.5% of its value on modest pre-tax profit growth of 0.4% year-on-year to £614,000 in the six months to 30 September. Lower transaction fees caused by general election uncertainty and acquisition costs are blamed for shares slumping to 37p.
Wine specialist Majestic Wine (MJW:AIM) sours 5.1% to 299p after uncorking a 50% slump in interim pre-tax profit to £4.3 million and increasing the cost guidance associated with new CEO Rowan Gormley's turnaround plan. The good news is underlying trading in the Majestic business is encouraging and acquired online retail arm Naked Wines is growing rapidly and has achieved profitability six months ahead of plan.
Five-a-side football centre operator Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL:AIM) rises 2.6% to 137.5p on news Sports Direct International (SPD) has taken a 4.89% equity stake in the stock, leading some analysts to suggest a corporate take-out or collaborative tie-up is on the cards.
Video search engine and advertiser Blinkx (BLNX:AIM) drifts 2% lower to 25.5p ahead of half-year results on Tuesday, 17 November.
And microwave communications technology designer Filtronic (FTC:AIM) slumps close on 6% to 6p as 90 million new shares hit the market priced at 5p each. These are part of its recent £4.5 million cash call.
Civil engineering specialist Keller (KLR) adds 4.6% to 827p after the group's trading update informed the market that full year forecasts remain in line with current market expectations. Year-to-date revenue remains down on last year as a result of lower revenues from major projects but the the group's largest market - US construction - remains healthy.
Insulation specialist SIG (SHI) bounces back after the group says trading improved in October, with positive like-for-like comparatives in both UK and Ireland and mainland Europe.
Widening full-year losses at Redcar-based Applied Graphene Materials (AGM:AIM) see shares in the £35.5 million cap slump 11.2% to 211p.
