News

Vista Group, which makes PVC doors, rallied today after it said pre-tax profits rose by 86% to £520,000, adding that it expects further growth in the future.

"We have had an excellent start to the year with the first quarter well ahead of budget," said the group.

"We have a strong order book for both GRP Composite doors and UPVc door panels and we believe the outlook is very healthy despite market conditions remaining tough," it added.

Vista was approached by a potential bidder in March, but said today that while talks are continuing, they are likely to be protracted.

Shares in Fountains jumped today after the tree cutter and forestry management group said it expects full-year results to be significantly ahead of market expectations.

The group said that recent trading and a strong deal pipeline gives them confidence that results for the year ended 30 September that are significantly ahead of current market expectations.

Cellcast, which runs interactive TV services such as phone-in auctions and dating services, reported that pre-tax profits widened despite a 66% increase in turnover.

Pre-tax losses for the year ended 31 December came to £3.9m down from £728,000 last year, while Turnover rose to £21.9m up from£13.2m in 2005.

Last month, the group raced ahead after it secured contracts with Brazilian television channels Rede TV and Bandeirantes.

FTS Formula was higher today after the provider of integrated billing and CRM software solutions announced that it has won a contract for its LBRC platform.

The platform will be integrated into the existing back office platforms unnamed privately held service provider in the USA.

In January, to the telecoms industry said it has bought North American customers and personnel from systems integrator Danet.