Small caps round-up: H&T Group, China Medical, Fyffes...

13th May 2009 09:20

Pawnbroker H&T Group said it has traded "significantly" ahead of expectations for the year to date. It also said it was positive about prospects for the current year but remains conscious of the current difficult economic climate."The principal reason for the strong performance is the sustained gold price which has benefitted the Group's retail sales, auctions, scrap and gold purchases. The Group is also pleased with the continuing success of the store expansion programme," said H&T.Chinese pharmaceutical sales, marketing & research firm China Medical saw pre-tax profit rise to $19.5m from $10.3m before on sales 40% to $72.6m. Total dividend for year will be $0.15p share against $0.10p each. "I am delighted to report on a second outstanding year for CMS as a public company despite the challenging economic environment seen domestically and globally. We have achieved sustained and steady growth in sales and profits, and I am pleased that," said the group.Fruit importer and distributor Fyffes said trading in teh year to date has been in line with expectations and it remains on course to achieve its earnings target for the year. Previously it has taargeted an adjusted EVIB for 2009 in the range of €14m-€18m. Shares in Futura Medical fell back after the consumer healthcare products firm reported a delay in achieving regulatory approval for CSD500, a condom designed to help men maintain an erection.Futura, which is developing the condom with Durex firm SSL, hoped the product would be awarded a CE mark soon after EU authorities expressed a positive opinion on the product's pharmaceutical aspects. However, SSL's decision to move condom manufacturing to Asia means the EU has asked for additional manufacturing data on CSD500 and Futura now expects to receive CE marketing authorisation around the end of the year.Public sector focused support services company Tribal said trading in 2009 has been in line with expectations.The sales pipeline remains healthy while committed income now stands at £210m, up from £139m at the beginning of the year. Printing group Communisis shot up after it announced a contract to T-Mobile UK 's marketing division with a suite of printing services. The contract was awarded to Communisis following a tender process. Housebuilder McInerney said trading conditions during 2009 in its key markets of Ireland and UK continue to be challenging due to low consumer confidence, restricted access to mortgages and the uncertain financial climate."We remain focused on generating positive cash flow and the implementation of additional efficiencies in the Group's cost base. Management's key objective is to rebuild shareholder value in the medium term," it said.Shares in Rheochem slipped back down again today after the oil and gas firm released a statement saying it knew of no reason behind its sudden share price rise earlier in the day. The group said the strategic review of its oil and gas assets are still ongoing and no decision has been reached.