Specialty chemicals outfit Carclo (CAR) rises 5.8% to 188p after an improvementin sales during the second half for its Conductive Inkjet Technology division, thanks to substantial growth generated by major new contracts in the firm's US and Czech facilities. House broker N+1 Singer adds: 'The medium term outlook for the two core legacy divisions, Technical Plastics and LED Technologies, is as bright as it has been for many years, with business wins underpinning coming periods.'
Oil services firm Kentz (KENZ) gains 1.3% to 766.5p as it announcesa $570 million contract win on the Icthys liquefied natural gas project in Australia, boosting its order book by 14%. We examine what the deal means to the mid cap in this news analysis.
Insurance claims outsourcing group Quindell (QPP:AIM) is again in demand after signinga telematics deal with the RAC that it believes could become the world's biggest to date. This is potentially a $4 billion market in which Quindell will increase its investment by an extra £30 million, news that sends to the shares nearly 6.5% higher to 41.5p. This comes just a week after full-year 2013 results. Quindell remains one of our Plays of the Week at 21.5p. We updated our view on the stock last week.
Automated procurement platform specialist CloudBuy (CBUY:AIM) jumps 5.7% to 42p after winninga healthcare contract that could see the company develop several electronic buying solutions for the NHS and local government organisations.
A pair of development dealsto push the boundaries of wonder material graphene sparks a near 10% share price jump to 100p for Graphene NanoChem (GRPH:AIM). An agreement with Emery Advanced Materials will be aimed at establishing new speciality chemicals for the plastic additives, biolubricants and rubber markets, an estimated $100 billion space, is twinned with a separateoilfield joint venture with Scomi.
Foils, laminates and holographics play API (API:AIM) falls 9.5% to 67p as it announcesits March 2014 results will be at the lower end of expectations. The disappointing pre-close update is down to a weak contribution from its American business. On a more positive note the running Play of the Week expects to report a positive cash position for the first time in 15 years.
The market speculates that the construction sector may see more takeover activity after Holcim's all-share deal to buy France's Lafarge, creating the world's biggest cement maker. A combined entity would probably be forced to offload some interests to satisfy competition authorities, hence why investors are warming to Irish aggregates giant CRH (CRH) (up 1.6% to £18.03) as a natural home for some of these assets.
Mineral sands producer Sierra Rutile (SRX:AIM) jumps 10.4% to 58.5p on a positive trading update. Its first quarter operations have seen a 12% increase year-on-year in rutile output and a 23% rise in ilmenite production, together with lower costs. There's also a robust trading update from sector peer Base Resources (BSE:AIM) whose new mine in Kenya is enjoying a good start, although the newsfails to move the share price which is flat at 22.75p.
Aspiring gold producer Aureus Mining (AUE:AIM) nudges ahead 0.8% to 30.25p on decent drilling resultsfrom its Ndablama project in Liberia. Stockbroker Numis reckons there will be a sizeable increase in the asset's resource statement in the near future.
Food producer Cranswick (CWK) cheapens 1.4% to £12.59 on a trading update. Like-for-like sales grew 12% in the year to March, with strong growth seen in fresh pork, bacon and cooked meats. Investor skittishness reflects the fact operating margins will be 'slightly below' the previous year's performance amid record hog prices.
Branded retail products developer LiteBulb (LBB:AIM), a play on the recovery of the UK economy, flickers 1.5% higher to 1p. Newsthe micro cap has inked a deal to launch products related to Terry O'Neill' iconic photographs is well received.
Organ transportation technology specialist Lifeline Scientific Instruments (LSI:AIM) leaps 24.9% to 192.5p on the back of favourable media coverage.
Offshore real estate investor Picton Property Income (PCTN) slips 1% to 57.1p as it spends£11.4 million buying a 335,000 square foot warehouse in Lincolnshire.
Real estate investment trust NewRiver Retail (NRR:AIM) rises almost 0.9% to 286.5p after signingup the Co-Operative Group to take a large number of pubs acquired last year for use as future convenience stores.
