London markets resume their positive momentum in early trade Tuesday, bucking the wider down trend of markets in the US and in trading in Asia. The UK's benchmark FTSE index rallies back over the psychologically important 7,000 again, rising around 25 points, or 0.3%, to 7,061, having first breached the landmark on Friday, closing at a record-breaking 7,022.51.
Video games retailer GAME Digital (GMD) cheapens 6.5% to 243.25p, despite declaring a £25 million special dividend equivalent to 14.7p per share. Maiden interims show a decline in adjusted earning before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), while news of a slow start to 2015 and that finance director Benedict Smith will be off later this year, are giving investors the jitters. Shares outlined our bearish view on GAME Digital in February.
IT security business and running Shares Play of the Week Accumuli (ACM:AIM) has a greed a £55 million takeover by Manchester-based NCC (NCC). The cash and shares deal, pitched at 32.8p per share, sees the target company's stock jump more than 5% to 29p, although NCC's share price slumps nearly 8% as investors see the offer price as full. But investors will wonder if this is the spark for a swathe of UK cyber security space deals.
Among the bigger movers, investors welcome Inspired Energy’s (INSE:AIM) clarification on its revenue recognition policy in a full-year results update, driving the stock 11% higher to 11.5p. Concerns have been raised across the energy broking sector over the pulling forward of sales. Fully diluted earnings per share increased 73% to 0.57p.
Uranium Resources (URA:AIM) slumps 10.6% to 0.38p after saying that half-year pre-tax losses had nearly doubled to $307,000 and that it is operating 'in a stagnating uranium market' which has adversely affected the rate of exploration and progress at its Mtonya project in Tanzania.
Telco minnow Pinnacle Technology (PINN:AIM) jumps 20% to 7.25p as it unveils a partnership agreement with mobile network O2. The deal will see Pinnacle provide O2's mobile, digital and accredited public sector solution services to its own client base.
Motive Television (MTV:AIM) rallies 12% to 0.02p as it reports early testing for its new maritime bring your own device (BYOD) platform. A pair of ferry operators in Greece and Italy are expected to launch commercially in early April 2015.
Power producing microcap Rame Energy (RAME:AIM) adds 11% to 9p as it increases capacity at its Chilean wind projects that are to be developed as part of the $69 million framework agreement with Santander Investment Chile. Capacity will increase by a net 15MW to 133MW.
Elsewhere, online gambling group 888 (888) gains 4.8% to 160p on a 28% increase in profit before tax to $68 million in 2014. Revenue is up 14% to $455 million driven by further casino content, the World Cup and strong growth in mobile. Chief executive Brian Mattingley says trading in the first quarter is in line with expectations with a significant increase in new customers.
Online gaming products developer Gaming Realms (GMR:AIM) adds 0.7% to 34.5p on a positive trading update which suggests its new proprietary platform and Spin Genie brand are performing well, with revenue increasing from £0.9 million in 2013 to £11.2 million in 2014. Analysts expect the group to move into profitability in the second half of 2015.
Agricultural supplies-to-retail stores group Wynnstay (WYN:AIM) cultivates a 3.1% gain to 526p after flagging a good start to the new financial year at its annual general meeting.
Private hospital operator Spire Healthcare (SPI) dives 4.6% to 371.7p despite losses before tax shrinking 86% to £7 million in 2014. Revenues from the NHS improved 27% year-on-year, while higher margin private medical insurance grew by a modest 1%. Numis has downgraded the stock after reading the results.
Medical technology investor NetScientific (NSCI:AIM) falls 3.9% to 132.5p on losses before tax widening 65% to £7.1 million in 2014 on increased development spend.
Cancer therapeutic developer Scancell (SCLP:AIM) gains 3.5% to 25.2p on its SCIB2 candidate reducing tumours in animals in pre-clinical studies and increasing survival times.
A broker upgrade from analysts at Berenberg helps consumer lender International Personal Finance (IPF) gain 2% to 478p. Alternative finance analyst Pras Jeyanandha puts a 'buy' rating on the stock and a 600p price target.
Structural steel specialists Billington (BILN:AIM) is up 5.1% at 216p after the group posted a strong set of results for the year to the end of December. The Barnsley-based £22.8 million cap told investors that revenue rose 14.5% to £45.1 million while profit before tax added 111% to £1.9 million.
