News

Marketing support services firm Delling posted maiden operating profit for the first half at £214,000 compared with the loss of £1.3m in the same period last year.

The group said it "benefited from significantly improved economies of scale and critical mass, allied to an increasingly strong footprint within its markets."

Turnover more than doubled to £10.5m from £5m previously, reflecting the full effect of recent acquisitions in addition to new contracts and good organic growth.

It said it made a stable start in the 3rd quarter and expects this to continue into the Autumn.

Shares in Brady plunged after the commodity trading software group said it anticipates overall profitability for 2007 to be substantially below external expectations.

"Although the board will continue to tightly manage its expense base, it is aware that the costs associated with recruiting a new board and additional team members were not fully anticipated in external expectations of 2007 expenses," said the group.

First-half pre-tax profit came to £144,000 compared to a loss of £277,000 on revenue up by 48% at £2.5m.

In-store music provider Imagesound narrowed first-half pre-tax losses and said it is on track to meet full-year expectations.

Pre-tax losses came to £556,000 for the six month to 30 June compared to £621,000 last time on revenue slightly lower at £3.5m against £3.9m previously.

"Whilst some of our clients are experiencing tough trading conditions, this is not impacting their recognition of the need for managing and developing their retail and leisure offer through music, messaging and AV," said chairman Derek Mapp.

"Imagesound is in a strong position to capitalise on this continuing trend and well placed to take advantage of opportunities for further growth through acquisition - both in the UK and overseas," he added.

Shares in Stanelco fell as the biodegradable packaging group saw pre-tax losses widen and said it is monitoring patent challenges lodged against some of Biotec's products.

Pre-tax losses came to £3.5m for the six month to 30 April compared to a loss of £2.3m last time. The loss includes an impairment charge of £1.6m. Revenues rose to £3.9m against £2.6m previously.

Stanelco said it is still in the process of restructuring the business and added that it remains encouraged by current market trends.

Newmark Security said it has made an encouraging start to the year with sales for the 4 months to the end of August up 22% over the same period last year, thanks to a good performance of its asset protection division.

"This improvement in current trading has overcome the more cautious outlook expressed in last year's annual report on the interim results for the six months to 31 October 2007 due to the substantial contract for BAE Systems invoiced in October 2006," said chairman Maurice Dwek.

LED technology provider Dialight said results were hit by the weak dollar. Pre-tax profit was flat at £1.3m, in line with market expectations, while sales was down 4% to £28.9m.

"With most of Dialight's sales and profits generated in US Dollars, the recent exchange movements have impacted the Company's first half result markedly," said the group.

Specialist software provider for the recruitment industry Bond International saw pre-tax profits increase 17% to £1.9m on revenue that surged 87% to £13.9m.

"These are strong results with revenues increasing in all the geographic areas we operate in. With a strong order book and prospect list we see good potential for the future growth of Bond," said the group.

AIM-listed Providence Resources announced that it has successfully logged a total of 75 feet of net hydrocarbon bearing reservoir in the 50/11-3 Hook Head appraisal well, offshore Ireland.