Small caps round-up: All Leisure, Wasabi Energy, Nexus...

24th Jan 2011 11:27

Cruise operator All Leisure lost £2.1m in the year ended 31 October compared with a profit of £2.7m in 2009 because of one-off charges linked to the valuation of derivative used for hedging purposes. Turnover rose 12% to £82.6m thanks to a full-year contribution from Hebridean Princess and a first time contribution from Alexander von Humboldt during the "most challenging" since the firm listed in 2007.Australian Renewable Fuels, in which recently-listed cleantech investor Wasabi Energy has a A$12.3m stake, is buying Biodiesel Producers Limited (BPL).The deal will be funded via a non-cash assumption of the existing BPL convertible debt (redemption value of $21m) by issuing new ARW convertible notes on terms to be agreed but linked to the performance of BPL's plant over a five year period. IT services group Nexus Management is "broadly pleased" with how it did in 2010 and has started the new financial year in-line with management expectations.The loss before tax narrowed to £685,551 in the ended 30 September from £4.4m in 2009 on turnover up 14% t £5.8m.Africa-based agricultural group Agriterra's two processing and milling facilities (DECA and Compagri) in Mozambique have achieved record maize sales for the fourth quarter, up 130% on 2009 to $4m.The company also said it is expanding its beef ranching operations (Mozbife) "in order to capitalise on the increasing domestic and international demand."Interactive gaming company Netplay TV said 2010 trading was in line with expectations after a strong end to the year. It reported tough trading in the third quarter but customer deposits and casino net gaming revenue were up significantly in the final three months."There is no doubt that 2010 was a tough year for Netplay, however, after a successful placing in November, a restructuring of the business, and a renewed focus on our core live casino product, we are pleased with the way the business is now performing," said chief executive Charles Butler.Betting and gaming firm Sportech expects pre-tax profits for 2010 to be in line with market expectations after trading across the Football Gaming, Sportech Racing an e-Gaming divisions performed as anticipated in the second half. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is expected to be around £19.7m, while net bank debt has been reduced by 10% to £72.3m. "2010 has been a transformational year for Sportech. We completed a major acquisition of Scientific Games Racing, positioning Sportech as one of the world's leading suppliers and operators of pools and tote gaming," said chief executive Ian Penrose. "In a tough trading environment the Group continued to generate strong cash flows enabling material debt reduction," he added.Source Bioscience put in a solid trading performance during November and December 2010 and full year 2010 results should be in line with market expectations. "Both our LifeSciences and PharmaBiotech divisions demonstrated double digit organic sales growth during 2010 and our Healthcare division repeated the very strong performance it delivered in 2009", Source said. City of London Investment Group upped its interim dividend to 8p from 7p as funds under management rose to $5.5bn (£3.6bn) from $4.7bn (£2.9bn) at 30 November. Its benchmark index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, increased by 15.5% over the same period. Quarter on quarter, managed funds increased by $0.7bn, or 13.7%, reflecting an inflow of net new client monies and the good investment performance. At end December, managed funds had risen again to $6m.Walter filters firm Amiad Filtration Systemsexpects to report revenue growth for 2010 of around 27% to $88m from $69.1m in 2009, in line with market expectations. The company said its gross margin increased slightly in the second half due to the product mix and the improved contribution from its 2010 acquisition, Arkal. This is expected to contribute to a higher operating profit in the six months to 31 December 2010 compared with the first half of 2010.Europe-focused minerals development firm EMED Mining said it is on schedule to achieve its primary goal of restarting the Rio Tinto copper mine in Spain."Based on our detailed planning and assuming the timely processing of regulatory applications and associated negotiations, the Rio Tinto copper mine is on-track to start mining and commissioning the process plant in late 2011," said Harry Anagnostaras Adams, managing director of EMED.Shares in Oak Holdings slumped after the leisure business operator said that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council plans to terminate an agreement paving the way for Oak to develop a £350m leisure resort.Oak entered into a preferred developer agreement with the council in 2003, but since then the global financial crisis and depressed property markets have resulted in Oak being unable to secure the funds needed to start developing the project, it said.