Deltex Medical Group plc (LON:DEMG) saw its shares slide 0.2p to 1.35p after it cashed in on recent share price strength.
The company, which makes oesophageal Doppler monitoring medical devices, raised ?1.75mln (gross) through the issue of 140mln shares at 1.25p a pop.
The placing price was the minimum level at which the shares were to be issued, according to an earlier statement from Deltex.
The fund-raising followed (fairly) hot on the heels of last week's news about a major new US hospital account.
That news saw the share price shoot up from 1.05p to 2p on the day of the announcement but, perhaps in anticipation of a share issue, the shares drifted back over the last week.
The funds will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and for general working capital purposes.
Going the other was Starcom Plc (LON:STAR), which was up 10.5% to 2.625p, also after placing shares.
It conditionally raises ?315,000 (gross) through placing shares at 2.25p.
It said the funds raised would be used to strengthen working capital and to satisfy the increased demand for its wireless tracking and monitoring products.
Altyn PLC (LON:ALTN), the gold producer, received a boost from a show of support from African Resources Limited, its major shareholder.
African Resources was issued a US$10mln convertible bond back in February 2017 and plans to convert the maximum amount allowable into Altyn shares.
The stakeholder said it would convert roughly US$9.72mln of convertible notes into 233.3mln Altyn shares at 3p a share.
Seeing as Altyn shares closed at 1.3p last night, the gold producer's shares received a boost, rising 29% to 1.675p.
Elsewhere in the mining sector, Thor Mining PLC (LON:THR) thundered higher after announcing a strategic financing.
Metal Tiger PLC (LON:MTR) will initially provide a cash injection of ?300,000 in return for 10mln Thor shares priced at 3p each - 3p seems to be today's magic share price.
Metal Tiger is also receiving share warrants that can be exercised to increase its stake further at a price of 5p per additional share.
On top of that, Metal Tiger will have the right of first refusal to participate in any joint venture, acquisition or similar transaction undertaken by Thor.
Shares in Thor rose half a penny to 3p on the news.
The share price of Velocity Composites PLC (LON:VEL) picked up speed following its full-year results, but unfortunately in a backwards direction.
The supplier of composite materials kits for aerospace firms slumped to 102.5p from 120p overnight after it revealed future growth expenditure of ?446,000, which contributed to a ?627,000 reported loss before tax; it is worth noting, however, that the company also had to swallow ?667,000 of exceptional administrative costs relating to its listing on Aim in May.
"Before an additional ?0.4m of business development costs underlying PBT [profit before tax] was ?0.2mln ahead of forecast," noted house broker finnCap.
"IPO [initial public offering] proceeds have facilitated new customer wins and production growth with the new Fareham facility ramping up production. The growth trajectory remains robust, but additional discretionary development costs result in an EPS [earnings per share] downgrade, with our target price also shaved to 125p,"the broker said.
Results from Benchmark Holdings PLC (LON:BMK) failed to come up to par, resulting in the shares sliding 4.5p to 69p.
The aquaculture health, nutrition and genetics business said adjusted profit before tax rose to ?6.3mln in the year to September 30 2017 from ?5.2mln the year before.
Net debt at the end of the year stood at ?23.9mln versus net cash of ?0.4mln a year earlier.
Management said the fundamental drivers of the business remain favourable and the outlook for its core species is positive with salmon production growing and shrimp production recovering.
Numis Securities moved from 'buy' to 'add' after a strong run by the shares over recent months.
It's not all doom and gloom in the retail park, judging by Pets at Home Group PLC's (LON:PETS) trading update.
The shares were up 5.8% at 192.6p after the group posted year-on-year revenue growth of 9.6% in the 12 weeks to January 5.
Like-for-like revenues were up 7.2%.
The share price surge could be making short sellers sit up and beg for mercy, as around one-tenth of the company's shares are out on loan to punters who have sold them in the hope of buying them back cheaper in the future.
"I'm happy to report further progress in the third quarter, where trading momentum in our Merchandise division built over the Christmas period. In the year since we launched our lower pricing initiatives we have seen a really strong customer response to the investments we have made," said Ian Kellett, the group's chief executive officer.
Is there a better way to spend a Saturday? pic.twitter.com/iUGWaAdQc9
- Pets at Home (@PetsatHome) January 20, 2018Away from the retail sector, software outfit SCISYS PLC (LON:SSY) rose 4.5% to 128.5p after it said its trading results will "comfortably meet" current market guidance in terms of revenue and adjusted operating profit.
The company's overall order book is at record levels and strong across all sectors, the trading statement said.
As we begin the new year, now is a good time to reflect on years gone by. Visit our company timeline to see how we got where we are and how the @SCISYS_PLC name evolved. Click here https://t.co/MR2vIOzqkg pic.twitter.com/G50OgsPLXy
- SCISYS (@SCISYS_PLC) January 2, 2018Fashion retailer N Brown Group PLC (LON:BWNG) has an outsized problem on its hands in terms of deteriorating margins.
The shares were off 13% as it lowered gross margin revenue for the full year.
The group now expects gross margins to decline by 2.25 to 2.5 percentage points over the full year, compared to previous guidance of a decline of 0.7 to 1.2 percentage points, primarily due to higher promotional activity.
Product revenue in the third quarter of the company's fiscal year was up 2.7%, which represented a sharp deceleration from 7.5% growth at the half-year stage.
"The fashion market remains competitive and we invested in promotional activity across our brands and product categories, which successfully delivered market share gains," declared Angela Spindler, the chief executive officer of N Brown.
Elsewhere in the retail world, computer gaming specialist Game Digital PLC (LON:GMD) tumbled 10% to 42.5p after it emerged its chief financial officer, Mark Gifford, is to hop it.
He will remain with the company until the end of March while the company looks for, and beds in, his successor.
Another bad day for the UK High street #carpetright #bonmarche #dignity #retail https://t.co/WuEYzEEFzQ pic.twitter.com/TtthnyZovJ
- Mike van Dulken (@Accendo_Mike) January 19, 2018Remote meetings technology firm LoopUp Group PLC (LON:LOOP) topped market expectations with its performance last year as revenues and profits soared in 2017. The markets had been expecting as much given after LoopUp reported solid first-half results back in September and said the strong performance had continued into the second half. Big Pic in July.
Marketing automation platform operator dotdigital Group PLC (LON:DOTD) traded in line in the second half of 2017, with strong growth in revenues. Big Pic in July.
An independent study has shown a sweetener developed by OptiBiotix Health plc (LON:OPTI) scored well against competitors. The Flavour and Sensory Science Centre at the University of Reading and tested eight different samples. It found Opti's oligosaccharides were significantly sweeter than the other products tested. Big Pic in December.
SDX Energy Inc (LON:SDX, CVE:SDX) has unearthed a new gas discovery onshore Morocco, in the ONZ-7 well at the Sebou project. The ONZ-7 well was drilled down to a depth of 1,167 metres and uncovered 5 metres of net conventional gas pay, in the Hoot formation, which as the company highlighted, was found to be "on prognosis". Reservoir quality was seen to be better than the company expected. Big Pic in November.
Sound Energy PLC (LON:SOU) told investors that it has now received the final results of resource certification, relating to the TE-5 well core, and the findings are "entirely consistent" with preliminary results announced to the market in December. Also, Sound chairman Stephen Whyte has stepped down, and replaced immediately by Richard Liddell, as Whyte plans to spend more time on his non-executive director roles elsewhere. Big Pic in October.
Tlou Energy Ltd (LON:TLOU) has updated investors on its coal bed methane operations in Botswana, as it provides a quarterly report, highlighting a number of project milestones. Big Pic in July.
Base Resources Ltd (LON:BSE) has completed its acquisition of the Toliara Sands project in Madagascar. A US$75mln down payment has now been made, taking Base's stake up to an initial 85%. It will acquire the final 15% on the completion of certain milestones. Big Pic in August.
A quarterly update from Berkeley Energia Ltd (LON:BKY) highlighted that the company is now very close to initiating construction at its Salamanca uranium mine in Spain, following completion of a US$120mln fundraising. Shareholders overwhelmingly approved the raise, and US$65mln is already in. Big Pic in August.
Metal Tiger PLC (LON:MTR) has sold half its stake in Kingsgate Consolidated (ASX:KCN) after a proxy fight. However, Metal Tiger still retains just over 5% of Kingsgate and has said that it's "not going away" and that it will be watching the Kingsgate board "closely" to see if it delivers on its promises. Big Pic in July.
Emerging markets investor APQ Global Limited (LON:APQ) has raised ?10mln from a tranche of 3.5% convertible unsecured loan stock repayable in 2024. Big Pic in January.
Tharisa PLC (LON:THS) has said, further to the announcement made on 11 January 2018, its shareholders are advised that the dividend declared will be paid out of income reserves and may therefore be subject to dividend withholding tax depending on the tax residency of the shareholder.
Capital Networks has issued aresearch note on Northbridge Industrial Services Plc (LON:NBI) which argues that the group's valuation in terms of price/book gives an indication of the potential upside in the future event of a recovery in the demand environment.
Capital Networks has issued a research note on Diploma PLC (LON:DPLM) in which analysts Ed Stacey argues that the business services supplier is well placed to continue delivering shareholder value.
Capital Networks has issued a research note on Morgan Sindall Group PLC (LON:MGNS) in which analysts Ed Stacey argues that given the group's strong, balance sheet, continued earnings growth, and healthy dividend payout, the current P/E valuation of 12.1x 2017e represents a modest valuation.