Small caps round-up: Amerisur Resources, Laura Ashley, Begbies...

16th Dec 2010 13:13

South America focused Amerisur Resources made a $1m profit in the six months ended 30 September compared with a $1.1m loss the year before. "Post period end, the extremely adverse weather conditions have led to a delay in the 3D3C seismic programme at Platanillo, however we still remain on track to identify well locations shortly and initiate our exciting drilling programme in 2011," chairman Giles Clarke said.Fashion and homewares retailer Laura Ashley grew UK retail sales by 1.3% year-on-year in the first 19 weeks of the second half to 11 December, and by 2.7% on a like-for-like basis."Although we are experiencing slower LFL growth in the second half due to the impact of a sluggish economy and adverse weather conditions, the underlying LFL sales growth for the year to date is 4.6%," said the firm, which thinks full year trading will be ahead of expectations.Financial adviser Begbies Traynor saw adjusted profit before tax drop from £4.3m to £3.6m in the six months ended 31 October on revenue little changed at £34.4m."The number of UK insolvencies has remained on a downward trend resulting in lower than anticipated insolvency revenues," executive chairman Ric Traynor said Thursday."If, as we expect, there is some pick up in new insolvency engagements through the remainder of the financial year this would result in a modest improvement in revenues in the second half in the core insolvency division, with the full financial benefit of this emerging in the financial year beginning 1 May 2011."Energy efficiency firm eaga is up again as it confirmed trading in the six months ended 30 November was in line with guidance provided early last month. Activity is still expected to be significantly weighted towards the second half.Sensor and electronic component technology firm TT electronics has sold its BAS Components business to PSM International for £4.4m in cash, which will help reduce group borrowings.