News

Plant Healthcare said the outlook for commercial sales of its Myconate product in 2007 is strong, with major distribution companies in Europe and commercial farming operations in North America indicating strong interest in the product.

Turnover for the half-year was slightly higher at £4.9m though pre-tax losses increased to £2.3m from £1.8m due to increased admin costs.

Software solutions provider for the financial services Mondas narrowed pre-tax losses to £251,000 compared with £1.15m on turnover that rose 75% to £2.69m.

It also revealed today that it had secured an order to supply Charles Stanley Securities with its Blue Curve research management software solution.

Shares in miner Avocet slumped after the board said it was "aware of market consensus for full year profits and does not expect, at current gold prices, that these expectations will be met."

First Derivatives said outlook for the full year is "extremely encouraging" as it reported a 52% rise in first half turnover to £4.1m with pre-tax profits surging 80% to £1.1m. The group also offered a maiden interim dividend of 1.4p per share.

Pharmaceutical discovery and development firm Immupharma said pre-tax loss for the three-months to June of £325,000 was in line with expectations. The group said it has initiated phase II for its lead compound for the treatment of Lupus.

Designer Vision, the portable multimedia systems supplier, said it has secured a further contract with a major retail customer in the USA to supply its branded DVD and MP3 players in a deal worth $4m.