News

Shares in Vycon lost ground after energy storage systems manufacturer said it expects underlying loss for the full-year to be greater than market expectations.

The group said sales are expected to be significantly below market expectations, as previously indicated as delays in customers finalising orders have continued.

Vycon added that losses for the year to 31 December are expected to be similar to 2006.

Information management software company Infonic has won a £8.3m contract for the supply of software licence and maintenance to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Under the terms of the deal, software with a value of £4.1m will be delivered within the first 90 days of the contract with the balance comprising of contracted maintenance and services to the value of £4.2m over a 7 year period.

Infonic added that it is currently in discussions with shareholders regarding financing options to help it develop its sales and marketing infrastructure.

Technology consultant Sagentia said full year order intake for 2007 will comfortably exceed 2006.

"The consulting activities have returned to profitability during the second half and directors are confident that full year order intake for 2007 will comfortably exceed that of 2006 (£15.9m)," said the group.

Year to date order intake for the company's consulting activities to the end of October 2007 is £15.4m, up 12% year-on-year.

Shares in Angel Biotechnology rallied after the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturer said it has won a deal with Materia Medica worth £640,000.

The contract is for process development and GMP manufacture of polyclonal antibodies.

Beauty brand business The Core Business said it has secured new lines of business since it switched focus to its distribution model and added that it was excited by prospects for the coming year.

Total turnover for the year to May rose to £257,000 compared with £122,000 from the same period last year, while pre-tax losses increased to £403,000 from £133,000 before.

Quest Capital said earnings before income taxes for the three months came to $7.8m from $9.1m in the same period last year. "Given the state of the credit markets and our cautious stance related thereto, Quest is pleased to report another profitable quarter," it said.

Shares at Solomon Gold rose after the group said it had intersected high grade gold mineralisation at its Sutakiki Gold Prospect on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

EnCore rose on news of 'significant gas' finds in the Breagh appraisal well in the UK Southern North Sea, in which it has a 15% interest.

Leisure & Gaming said today that it remains in takeover discussions with various parties and gave an update on its strategic focus and operations.

Digital wireless communications provider Software Radio Technology said revenue is up 127% to £1.91m while losses narrowed to £99,000 from £1.32m before.