News

Shares in Alphameric rose after the leisure and hospitality solutions provider said it has signed a long term agreement to implement Caterwide, its web based ERP solution, with PizzaExpress.

PizzaExpress will deploy the solution across its 335 UK estate, commencing in August 2008.

"Caterwide enables our customers to gain operational efficiencies, profit improvement and tangible payback on the cost of investment. We are delighted to be working with such a respected and established brand as PizzaExpress," said Alphameric.

Drug developer Alizyme said overall performance between January and May has been in line with expectations, other than the disappointing results of the renzapride Phase III study.

"We continue with a number of ongoing discussions with potential partners for the commercialisation of our products. We anticipate that these activities, together with results from our Phase III clinical study for COLAL-PRED, will provide for significant news flow through 2008," said the group.

Chromex Mining said it noted the recent rise in its share price and confirmed it is finalising the terms to acquire the remaining 49% stake in Ilitha Mining and an associated placing of new shares at 40p each.

Engineered steel products manufacturer Acertec said overall trading for in the first four months of the year has been in line with expectations.

"Based on trading in this period, and assuming no significant change in market conditions, particularly for the BRC division, we continue to expect that Acertec's overall performance in 2008 will be broadly similar to that in 2007," it said.

Identity management software provider Intercede reduced pre-tax losses to £177,000 from £450,000 previously on revenue that increased 7% to £2.8m.

Brinkley Mining said it has been granted three exploration permits in Chad. The group also said that discussions over a possible offer for the firm, revealed originally in April, has now been terminated.

Coal bed methane gas developer Island Gas and Oil swung into losses of £2m from a profit of £800,000 last year as it incurred £2m of costs from its admission on AIM, following the reverse takeover of KP Renewables in December 2007.

Digital camera group Andor saw profits jump 22.2% to £800,000 on revenue up 10% to £11.5m thanks to sales growth across all geographic regions.

TV production company RDF Media saw a dramatic fall in its full year profits amid the fall-out from a misleading promotion of its documentary about the Queen last year. Pretax profits in the year to January 31 fell to £2m from £6.2m the previous year.

RDF was temporarily shunned by both the BBC and ITV last year after a promotional film for its BBC-commissioned "A Year with the Queen" falsely suggested she stormed out of a photo shoot.