Elektron Technology PLC (LON:EKT) shares rose 5.4% to 27.2p in late-afternoon trading after its subsidiary, Bulgin, signed a global distribution agreement with Arrow Electronics Inc (NYSE:ARW).
The electrical components maker said the initial inventory order from Arrow was in excess of US$500,000, representing a significant investment in the joint initiative, with products available for customer orders beginning July 2018.
Elsewhere, CMC Markets Plc (LON:CMCX) saw its shares soar 10% to 170.8p as a higher proportion of high-value clients sparked a sharp rise in revenues per customer.
The spread better said although active client numbers had dropped year-on-year, high-value customers were a larger part of the mix.
Overall, business in the final quarter had been strong, it added and net operating income for the second half will be moderately above the first half and significantly above the prior year.
Arena Events Group PLC (LON:ARE) saw its shares fall 15.5% to 53p in lunchtime trading as its US subsidiary, Arena Americas, became embroiled in potential legal action.
The events facilitator said its subsidiary had been informed by the US Attorney's Office (USAO) that it has formally charged one of its previous customers for a violation related to the Small Business set-aside program.
As a result of this, the company said Arena Americas has been notified by the USAO that an investigation into its relationship with the customer had been launched.
Meanwhile, Ted Baker PLC (LON:TED) shares slumped 3% to 2,534p as Jefferies downgraded the stock following a warning from the retailer about challenging trading conditions.
Jefferies lowered its rating on the stock to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut its target price to 2,700p from 3,000p.
"We believe Ted's strategy to moderate growth in a tough environment is the right thing to do to protect the long-term strength of the brand," the analyst said.
"However, with top line growth pared back and our 3-year pre-tax growth expectations reduced from 16% to 13%, we lower our target multiple to 17x calendar year 2019 price to earnings ratio and downgrade to hold; price target 2,700p."
In a trading statement last week, Ted Baker's chief executive Ray Kelvin gave a cautious outlook as retailers struggle in the face of higher cost inflation, weaker consumer confidence and the shift to online shopping.
Shares in Keller Group PLC (LON:KLR) rose 3% to 883p in late-morning trading as the construction company acquired contractor Moretrench Inc.
The company said it had funded the US$90mln acquisition through cash from its existing borrowing facilities.
Following the acquisition, Keller said it will be well positioned for the expected long-term renewal of infrastructure in the US. In addition, the acquisition gives Keller access to "new niche geotechnical products", as well as new industrial customers which should result in revenue and cost synergies.
Keller and Moretrench have partnered on a number of joint ventures in the past, "which gives confidence in the mutual compatibility of culture and management approaches".
Elsewhere, Cineworld Group PLC (LON:CINE) saw its shares jump 2.9% to 234p after Citigroup upgraded shares in the cinema chain.
Citi went to 'buy' with a target price of 270p, suggesting some the stock has a further 15% to appreciate.
At the same time, ITM Power PLC (ITM) (LON:ITM) shares moved up 3.5% to 31.9p after it received a grant from the British Columbia Government Ministries of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Jobs, Trade and Technology to undertake a feasibility study into renewable hydrogen production.
The AIM-listed clean energy company said in the initial phase of the project it would undertake a techno-economic feasibility study for the large-scale centralised production of renewable hydrogen in the province.
Modern Water PLC (LON:MWG) saw its shares fall 18.8% to 8.2p in mid-morning trading as the water treatment company saw pre-tax losses more than double in full-year results.
The group reported pre-tax losses on ordinary activities of ?5.2mln, more than double the previous year's loss of ?2.5mln, on revenues of ?3.5mln, down from ?3.6mln previously.
The disappointing results came after a warning on 21 March in which the company said it expected results to be below market forecasts due to sales model changes.
Meanwhile, architect group Aukett Swanke Group PLC (LON:AUK) shares tumbled 15.3% to 1.3p as it issued a loss warning in its trading update.
The AIM-listed firm said it continued to anticipate that 2018 would be a loss-making year, particularly in the UK, with the company now expecting a larger loss in the first half compared to last year, followed by a profit in the second half.
Drug discovery platform developer C4X Discovery Holdings plc (LON:C4XD) shares shot up 107% to 117.5p in early morning trading as it announced that it has licensed its addiction behaviour suppressant, C4X3256, to FTSE 250-listed Indivior PLC (LON:INDV) in a deal worth up to US$294mln.
It is the first major partnership for the AIM-listed group, which will receive US$10mln up front and a further US$284mln dependent on how successful the drug proves.
Meanwhile, shares in oil and gas developer Angus Energy Plc (LON:ANGS) jumped 20% to 7.5p as it resumed production at its Lidsey and Brockham oil fields.
The company said it had resumed continuous production from the Portland Reservoir of the BR-X2Y well at Brockham and the Great Oolite Reservoir at Lindsey at wells X1 and X2.
Angus said flow rates from the Lidsey oil field are currently 191 barrels of oil per day (bopd), a three-fold increase over its initial flow rates as reported on 17 November 2017 for both Lidsey wells.
The group added that Brockham oil field has resumed production at 21 bopd, and expects this flow rate to increase to roughly 35 bopd within approximately 7 days, once initial water slugging has stopped.
Elsewhere, Sirius Minerals PLC (LON:SXX) shares rose 1.7% to 30.1p as the mine developer told investors it remains on track deliver first polyhalite and commercial production on time and on budget.
In a quarterly progress update released today, the company revealed that it continues to tick work items off the checklist as it moves the project towards production.
"It is an exciting time for the company as we continue to construct our game-changing Woodsmith Mine which represents the largest private sector investment in the North," said Chris Fraser, Sirius Minerals managing director.
Drug discovery platform developer C4X Discovery Holdings plc (LON:C4XD) has licensed its addiction behaviour suppressant, C4X3256, to FTSE 250-listed Indivior in a deal worth up to US$294mln. It is the first major partnership for the AIM-listed group, which will receive US$10mln up front and a further US$284mln dependent on how successful the drug proves.
Hurricane Energy PLC (LON:HUR) told investors that it has brought forward a programme of boulder relocation to make room for the Lancaster field's early production system, taking the opportunity presented by prevailing market rates and vessel availability.
Alba Mineral Resources PLC (LON:ALBA) has raised ?750,000 of new capital, with the issue of 250mln new shares priced at 0.3p each. The investor in natural resource assets said the injection of cash would be principally used to advance its portfolio of assets including the Horse Hill and Brockham oil projects, onshore UK, as well as its mining assets in Greenland and Wales.
Redx Pharma Plc (LON:REDX) said it was temporarily halting the early-stage clinical trial of a cancer drug candidate in order to amend the dose-escalation process to start at a lower initial threshold. The delay to the phase I/IIa study of its Porcupine inhibitor, RXC004, is expected to be "several months" as it consults with regulators at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as to the next steps
Columbus Energy Resources PLC (LON:CERP) has confirmed that the La Cora operations have now officially come to a close. In a statement, Columbus told investors that it had now received official notification from the Spanish authorities of the closure of the La Lora concession, including the Ayoluengo oil field.
Mosman Oil And Gas Limited (LON:MSMN) is pleased with its opportunistic acquisition strategy, which is starting to pay off. As it continues to re-engineer and enhance its oil field assets in North America, the company reported US$321,348 of revenue for the six months ended December 31, and it made a US$156,522 gross profit though it had a US$731,046 loss before tax.
Woodford Investment Management has put up half of a ?5mln fundraising by intellectual property group NetScientific PLC (LON:NSCI). A placing at 52.5p will raise ?5mln, with the possibility of a further ?1mln depending on demand. Woodford has subscribed for 5.7mln new shares. The fund manager already owns 45% of the IP group and as the new shares will take its stake higher a whitewash waiver is being applied.
Gfinity Plc (LON:GFIN) said it has signed Lynx, a leading fragrance and personal care brand, as an official partner of its Elite Series UK for season three. The AIM-listed e-sports group said the partnership begins with immediate effect and includes exposure during its Elite Series live shows, advertising across Gfinity's owned channels, and integration into ancillary content including its magazine-style show GAME-ON FIFA 18.
ITM Power plc (ITM) (LON:ITM) said it has received a grant from the British Columbia Government Ministries of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Jobs, Trade and Technology to undertake a feasibility study into renewable hydrogen production. The AIM-listed clean energy company said in the initial phase of the project it would undertake a techno-economic feasibility study for the large-scale centralized production of renewable hydrogen in the province of British Columbia (BC).
Concepta PLC (LON:CPT) announced that it has showcased myLotus fertility products at the Manchester Fertility Show on 24 and 25 March 2018 and received an "excellent consumer feedback.
Adamas Finance Asia Limited (LON:ADAM) has been informed by the buyer of its interest in Global Pharma Holdings Group that funding to complete the deal has been secured. The Asia-focused investment group was due US$15.6mln in cash by 31 March from Fortune Insight Limited (FIL), which is acquiring the stake.
Harvest Minerals Limited (LON:HMI) has announced that its Final Exploration Report for Arapua Fertiliser Project has been approved by Department of Mines (DNPM) inspector for Minas Gerais, following assessment and a site visit.
Israel-focused alluvial miner Shefa Yamim (A.T.M) is on track with its bulk sampling programme at Kishon Mid-Reach near Mt Carmel.
Goldplat plc (LON:GDP) has completed the installation and commissioning of an elution plant at its gold recovery operation in Ghana. The new piece of kit, which is used to extract the precious metal from other materials, has been in use for some weeks with the first gold pour earlier this month.
Lionsgold Ltd (LON:LION) continued to expand its business in the last half of 2017 as it increased its ownership in a number of gold assets and in online trading platform TRAC Technology Limited. In the six months to December 31, Lionsgold increased its shareholding in India gold exploration and mine development company Geomysore Services and in Finnish gold joint venture company, Kalevala Gold Oy. In another big development, Lionsgold became majority owner of gold-focused fintech company TRAC after raising its stake from 37% to 55%.
Erris Resources plc (LON:ERIS) said it has had a strong start to 2018 after advancing its exploration projects in Ireland and Sweden last year. The European-focused mineral exploration company, which began trading on AIM in December 2017, reported "encouraging" drilling results from its gold projects in Sweden and progress at its zinc project in Ireland.
Life and pensions company Chesnara Plc (LON:CSN) more than doubled its full year profits on the back of its acquisition of Legal and General's Dutch unit. Profit before tax rose to ?89.6mln in 2017 from ?40.7mln a year ago, including a ?20.3mln gain on its takeover of Legal and General Nederland.
Amphion Innovations Plc's (LON:AMP) partner company Polarean Imaging PLC (LON:POLX) began its first day of trading on AIM at 8am on Thursday with the admission of its ordinary shares. The medtech company said Polarean had also raised gross proceeds of ?3mln via the placing of 20mln ordinary shares at a price of 15p in its initial public offering (IPO), representing 27.3% of the company's share capital.
ECR Minerals PLC announced said that their focus for last year was on exploration for gold in Victoria, one of the World's major gold producing provinces. The AIM-listed minerals and exploration company said for the year to 30 September 2017 their total comprehensive expense was ?562,649, compared with ?1,016,592 a year before.
Obtala Limited (LON:OBT) has said its due diligence process for the acquisition of Nouvelle Scierie Moderne de Sassandra (NSMS) requires more sample data before the firm can deciding whether to proceed with the deal.
Avacta Group Plc (LON:AVCT), the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and research reagents, has announced that Dr Michael Albin, one of the group's non-executive directors will be stepping down from the board with effect from 30 March 2018.
Action Hotels PLC (LON:AHCG), the leading owner, developer and asset manager of branded three and four-star hotels in the Middle East and Australia, has announce the appointment of WH Ireland Limited as its nominated adviser and sole broker with immediate effect, replacing Zeus Capital Limited.
Challenger Acquisitions Limited (LON:CHAL) announced that it will host a shareholder conference call at 3.00pm UK time on 4 April 2018 to be hosted by chief executive officer Mark Gustafson, It said the CEI will discuss the company's equity interest in the New York Wheel Project, its investment in a new Giant Observation Wheel project, "The Eye of Texas", the launch of Star Sanctum's fan convention event to be held in London in May 2018, and an outline of the company's short term plans.