FTSE 100 and small cap indices closed higher Thursday as security and services firm Westminster Group PLC (LON:WSG) stole the show.
Shares soared almost 123% to 12.25p as it received a letter of intent from an unidentified Middle East airport authority relating to a long-term airport security contract.
The potential deal is expected to generate more than £30mln in revenue for Westminster’s aviation security service business, prompting the company to brand it as a “major growth opportunity".
Westminster also said it did not believe it would need a separate general meeting to approve a potential share restructuring which it is discussing with several financing partners.
FTSE100 closed a smidgen- just 0.07% ahead at 6,267, while FTSE AIM100 added 0.10% to 3,452. The FTSE AIM All-share gained 0.13% to 734.450.
Top riser on Footsie was commodities giant Glencore (LON:GLEN), up 1.91% to 135.95p, while the biggest laggard was cruise operator Carnival (LON:CCL) down 3.15% to 3,379.
South- African focused gold miner Pan African Resources plc (LON:PAF) surged 17.65% to 15p as it acquired a further interest in Shanduka Gold.
Sunrise Resources Plc (LON:SRES) was another good riser, adding over 17% on news of a £300,000 share placing and subscription to speed up development of its precious metal exploration programme in Nevada in the US.
Brave Bison (LON:BBSN) gained 17.14% to 5.13p. The group was formerly Rightster Group PLC.
Marshall Motor Holdings PLC (LON:MMH) revved up 36p, or 24%, to 187.5p following its £107mln acquisition of Ridgeway Garages (Newbury) Limited.
On the losing front, Sable Mining Africa Limited (LON:SBLM) dropped over 20% to 0.30p as it launched another investigation after a jury in Liberia reportedly indicted it on charges including alleged bribery.
Sable said it noted “recent media comment and speculation regarding allegations of bribery and corruption made against the company in Liberia”.
It said: “The company is investigating these matters and taking appropriate legal advice."