News

IT services business FDM Group said its Mountie offering, which delivers trained technical IT resources to meet the demand for Sun's Java technology and Microsoft's Net programming platforms, is the primary driver for growth in its business.

Profit before tax for the half-year increased 30.7% to £2.39m on revenue that rose 4% to £25.42m. Interim dividend was raised to 1p per share from 0.8p.

"Despite the backdrop of economic uncertainty, today's results demonstrate not only the resilience of our Mountie offering but the tremendous growth opportunity facing FDM, said the group.

Entertainment media group Galleon has signed its first distribution agreement in the US for the Skunk fu! toyline with toy manufacturer Zizzle Toys.

FibreGen said trading in its securities on AIM will be cancelled today, adding that it is currently investigating various strategic alternatives for the company.

Oil and gas company Ascent Resources said production of gas from the PEN-104 well in its 45.23% owned Penészlek project in Hungary has reached a stablisied average rate of 88,200 cubic metres per day.

The output is equivalent to 520 barrels of oil per day.

Growing demand for energy efficient lighting helped high power LED supplier Enfis more than triple revenues in the first half.

The Swansea-based company saw revenues in the six months to June 30 rise to £392,000 from £98,000 over the same period the year before. Pre-tax losses widened to £1.1m from £891,000 as administrative expenses rose.

Intec is not seeing any impact from the weakening global economy and remains confident of the outlook for the full year, the phone bill software company said.

Intec, whose customers include Cable and Wireless and Orange, received a 'very preliminary' approach that may lead to an offer in May. A further statement on this matter will be made in due course, it said.

Educational computing specialist RM Group said it has reached contractual close for a £24.5m, five-year contract to provide managed ICT services to the London Borough of Haringey's Building Schools for the Future programme.

Insurance broker CBG Group saw revenue grow 80% to £5.66m in the six months to 30 June, sending pre-tax profit up to £930,000 from £628,000 a year ago. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 45% to 6.26p.

"There are undoubtedly challenges ahead but we are delivering our objectives and performing extremely well, and look forward with confidence to the remainder of the year," it said.

Data management specialist SDL has agreed a contract worth more than $750,000 with analytics and decision management technology Fair Isaac Corporation.

The deal is for SDL's Translation Management System and Trisoft Infoshare component based content management software licenses, support and maintenance and associated professional services.

Equipment rental specialist Vp said it has continued to make progress since its year-end announcement in June and remains confident of delivering further progress in the financial year.

"Whilst we remain alert to changes in individual markets, we believe that our diversity across specialist markets is a key strength of the group," it said.