On a thin day for corporate newsflow, London's FTSE 100 falls another 37.98 points to 6,873.82 on Monday, tracking global market falls following a better-than-expected US jobs report on Friday. This has renewed speculation that a US rate rise may occur in the summer and is giving investors the jitters.
One stock with wind in its sails is shipping services group Clarkson (CKN), which rises 5.2% higher to £20.90 after posting better-than-expected full-year results. On a 20% hike in revenue to £237.9 million for the year to December, pre-tax profits advance 35% to £33.8 million and the shipbroker also pleases by hiking the dividend for the twelfth consecutive year.
Global advertising giant WPP (WPP) ticks up 0.9% to £15.55 as it reveals record £1.45 billion pre-tax profits, in-line with expectations, and more significantly says it is off to a 'good start' in 2015. On the debit side, the group warns of a number of economic and political uncertainties clouding the outlook - in particular the UK general election in May. Read more on the story here.
East African gas play Wentworth Resources (WRL:AIM) is ahead 5.1% to 31p as the resources associated with its Mnazi Bay concession in Tanzania are re-classified as reserves. The company, a running Play of the Week, is poised to connect the development to a new pipeline later this year.
Life sciences specialist Proteome Sciences (PRM:AIM) rises 4.6% to 22.5p on expectations of ‘solid’ revenue growth following a strong start to 2015 that includes the signing of five contracts.
Industrial property investor Raven Russia (RUS) falls 2.2% to 43.6p after reporting a 16% drop in net asset value (NAV) to 106p in 2014 as Russia's economic troubles continue to bite.
Following a strong run, investors take profits in warehousing landlord Hansteen (HSTN), which today posts a 100% rise in pre-tax profits to £131.2 million for 2014 and a 12.1% boost in EPRA NAV to 102p. The shares are marked down more than 2% to 114.2p.
Small cap miner Alecto Minerals (ALO:AIM) bounces back after recent disappointment where Centamin (CEY) pulled out of a joint venture. Today sees a new partnership agreement in Ethiopia with Toronto-listed Desert Gold Ventures, sending Alecto's share price up 19% to 0.19p.
Tengri Resources (TEN:AIM) jumps 16% to 2.75p as the market likes a new set of exploration results from its Taldy Bulak gold/copper project in Kyrgyz Republic.
Armadale Capital (ACP:AIM) rises 12% to 0.05p after updating the market on metallurgical testwork for its Mpokoto gold project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It believes this asset can be brought into production very soon, but the market has no faith in the project/company given a steady fall in the share price over the past year.
Premium branded cookers, stoves and fridges maker AGA Rangemaster (AGA) warms up 2.5p to 100.5p, as positive sentiment lingers following Friday's in-line annual figures and upbeat outlook statement.
