Small caps round-up: Aurelian, Cineworld, Greggs...

12th May 2010 12:36

Eastern Europe focused oil and gas explorer and producer Aurelian today reconfirmed "steady" progress against all targets set out in October's strategy document."We are on track to spud our first two high impact wells in line with our milestones; in June we commence the drilling of the first multi fracced horizontal well in our Tight Gas Project in Siekierki and in October we drill our first Bieszczady exploration well in the Carpathian Thrust Fold belt," said chief executive Rowen Bainbridge.Cinema operator Cineworld increased revenue by 13.9% during the 18 weeks to 6 May, driven principally by the box office, up 14.6%, it told shareholders at today's AGM.The company expects the first half performance to be "comfortably ahead" of 2009, although the distraction of the football World Cup means overall growth for the half will be below that achieved in the year to date.Value baker Greggs improved sales by 2.6% in the 18 weeks to 8 May and by 0.6% on a like-for-like basis, in line with expectations of marginally positive like-for-like sales growth over the year.Stobart Group delivered a profit before tax of £39.8m in the year to 28 February, up from £29.7m in 2009 despite difficult trading conditions and the bad winter. Earnings, excluding the profit from the disposal of the Widnes assets, rose 24% to £28.6m.Killik Capital likes the transport outfit and repeats its long-term buy recommendation, but would only look to pick up the shares on weakness given the recent rally.Consumer healthcare product developer Futura Medical has crept higher after telling shareholders the current financial year has started well across the business.Chairman William Potter still expects approval for erection-boosting condom CSD500 later this year. Shipbroking and shipping services group Clarkson has traded in line with expectations since the turn of the year, although the broking business has done rather better."Whilst it is inevitable that shipping markets will continue to recover at differing rates, we believe that we have started to experience a more sustained recovery," said chairman Bob Benton. "Combined with Clarkson's clear competitive advantages, we look forward to the remainder of the year with confidence."