Ceres Power Holdings plc (LON:CWR) jolted up over 7% to 13p on the day as the fuel cell group provided a positive pre-close update.
First half income to end December is expected to increase by around 80% and the firm also revealed that it has signed a new technology assessment agreement with a leading global original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
The developer of low cost, next generation solid oxide fuel cell technology also said it is in the final stages of agreement for further OEMs to work with its SteelCell® technology and is confident of signing further contracts by early 2018.
Ceres Power added that key milestones have been delivered with all its current partners, including Honda, Nissan and Cummins, and it was on track to begin field trials in 2018 with its first go-to market product.
2.30pm:Bacanora Minerals heads north
Bacanora Minerals Limited (LON:BCN) was among the shares heading north on the day and added almost 7% to 102.50p as it received its second piece of good news this week - an offtake deal and share subscription with a Chinese investment group.
The deal with NextView Capital follows the publication of a definitive feasibility study for the Sonora lithium deposit in Mexico that valued it at US$1.25bn.
READ - Bacanora Minerals follows up Sonora feasibility study with Chinese offtake agreement and investment
NextView will take a 19.9% direct equity stake in Bacanora through a £31.2mln share subscription at 94.53p, while also agreeing to buy 5,000 tonnes per year of lithium from Sonora.
Earlier, Proactive Investors reported that electrical products group Luceco (LON:LUCE) had dropped almost 40% to 140p as it posted a profit warning in its trading statement. Shares have continued south as the day progressed, and are now down 45%.
The group said it would now deliver gross margin of approximately 33%, leading to a £3.5mln reduction in after tax profit to £13.2mln against current market expectations of £16.7mln.
Speaking of profit warnings, translation software developer SDL Group (LON:SDL) plummeted almost 24% to 350p as it issued one too.
In an update, on its performance for the year to December 31, the group said its sales pipeline was is in line with expectations, but warned that some of its software deals may not be processed or fully awarded by the end of the year.
If these deals are not closed, adjusted EBITA (earnings before interest, tax and amortization) for 2017 on a like-for-like bais will be below current market expectations.
11.30am: Mediazest Plc zings higher
Mediazest Plc (LON:MDZ) shares had a thirst for life today and shares zipped up over 24% to 0.18p.
It came despite the group revealing that first-half losses had widened. It posted a pre-tax loss of £149,000, compared to a loss of £67,000 a year earlier, as revenue fell 9% to £1.34mln.
But the firm told investors: "The board acknowledges that timing differences mean that the half-year results do not reflect the continued improvement in the group position but are confident that by the full year this situation will be better represented.
Notably it said: "Pending the outcome of a handful of current pitches for quarter four of that year, the board hopes that the company will deliver a consolidated full year profit at EBITDA level for the first time."
Meanwhile, Gaming Realms PLC (LON:GMR) shares gained almost 8% to 7.95p as the group inked a 10 year framework services agreement and a five year convertible loan agreement for £3.5mln with Jackpotjoy group.
The agreement was for the supply of various real money services on favoured terms, which will include "Slingo Originals" content.
"We are extremely pleased that the Jackpotjoy group chose us as a long-term services partner.
"Developing creative and innovative content is at the forefront of what Gaming Realms does well, and through this relationship we hope to not only acquire new Slingo players and add to the existing user experience, but also to open up new opportunities for further collaboration," said Patrick Southon, chief executive of Gaming Realms.
Going the other was oiler Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (LON:COPL), which saw shares on the slide today. Its stock dropped 7.4% to 0.625p.
It came despite the group, via its 50% owned ShoreCan joint venture, revealing it had been awarded a new asset from the Mozambique authorities.
ShoreCan is to take control of Block PT5-B, spanning some 4,356 sq km on the Mozambique coastal plain.
But in Nigeria, Essar Nigeria (80% owned by ShoreCan) is in the final stages of securing ministerial approval for the Essar acquisition and has applied for an extension to the first phase of a production sharing contract.
COPL said it has made ‘further progress’ towards raising funds for the OPL 226 project, though it noted that the process has taken longer than anticipated.
9.30am: SQS Software top London riser
There were some big stock moves in London early doors, with the top riser medal round the neck of SQS Software Quality Systems (LON:SQS).
The firm's shares surged by almost 55% as it agreed to be taken over by Weilchensee 884 - a new German company formed by Assystem Technologies SAS to make the offer.
The bid will see SQS shareholders get 825p in cash for each of their shares - valuing the firm at around £281.3mln.
SQS shares closed yesterday at 527.50p, so the offer represents an impressive 57% premium.
Also on the up was pharma development group Nuformix (LON:NFX), which shot 25% higher to 3.75p as it struck an amended agreement with Shanghai Newsummit Biopharma Group Company Limited to include a license to NXP001, for the Chinese market only.
NXP001 is based on a currently marketed treatment in cancer supportive care and addresses some of the severe side effects faced by cancer patients in their treatment.
Dr Dan Gooding, chief executive of Nuformix, added: "The conclusion of this agreement is a significant milestone for the company, bringing significant early revenue and a potential mid-term royalty stream."
On the downside, Luceco (LON:LUCE) dropped almost 40% to 140p as the manufacturer and distributor of LED lighting products, wiring accessories and portable power products, posted a profit warning in its trading statement.
Gross margins weakened during the second half and it will now deliver gross margin of approximately 33%, leading to a £3.5mln reduction in after tax profit to £13.2mln against current market expectations of £16.7mln.
Proactive news headlines:
Ortac Resources Ltd (LON:OTC) told investors that a new phase of work is now planned for the Akyanga gold project. The company’s 84.7% owned associate Casa Mining has decided on the new initiatives following a review of previous exploration activity, and it is now looking to expand the project to incorporate structures that run parallel to Akyanga.
Ceres Power Holdings PLC (LON:CWR) said its first half income is expected to increase by around 80% and also revealed that it has signed a new technology assessment agreement with a leading global original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The developer of low cost, next generation solid oxide fuel cell technology also said it is in final stages of agreement for further OEMs to work with its SteelCell® technology and is confident of signing further contracts by early 2018.
Lithium group Bacanora Minerals Limited (LON:BCN) has received its second piece of good news this week through an offtake deal and share subscription with a Chinese investment group.
Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (LON:COPL, CVE:XOP), via its 50% owned ShoreCan joint venture, has been awarded a new asset from the Mozambique authorities. ShoreCan is to take control of Block PT5-B, spanning some 4,356 square kilometres on the Mozambique coastal plain.
Mporium Group PLC (LON:MPM) has signed an agreement which will see it provide its IMPACT technology product to one of the world’s “largest and most prestigious” performance marketing agencies.
Blockchain consultant Coinsilium Group Limited (AQSE:COIN) has been appointed as an adviser to its Token Generation Event by Hdac Technology, a multinational backed by Hyundai.
Keywords Studios PLC (LON:KWS) has continued its acquisition spree and boosted its audio services by buying Mexico-City based LOLA for US$1.03mln from its founders. LOLA, which had revenues of US$1.2mln in 2016, has a reputation for quality and Keywords already uses its services to complement those of its local voice recording studio - the Kite Team Mexico, the firm said.
Strategic Minerals Plc (LON:SML) will now buy the Leigh Creek copper mine in South Australia from Resilience Mining Australia outright following due diligence. As reported in October, Strategic revealed it was to pay a total of A$5mln, mainly by way of royalties in combination with cash, shares and taking on debt, but it has renegotiated terms and will pay an equal mixture of cash and equity totalling A$3mln (around £1.710mln) to buy it outright.
Ergomed Plc (LON:ERGO), the pharma services and drug development firm, said finance chief Stephen Stamp has been appointed chief executive after Dr Dan Weng decided to step down with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Dr Jan Petracek becomes chief operating officer and a board director.
Active Energy Group PLC (LON:AEG) has received a letter of support from the Governor's Office of Energy Development in Utah for its CoalSwitch alternative fuel.
Energy specialist Aggregated Micro Power Holdings plc (LON:AMPH) expects the second half to be strong after producing a solid performance in the first six months of its financial year. The company specialises in the sale of wood fuels and installs commercial-size biomass-fuelled boilers used by schools, care homes and business parks.
Hummingbird Resources PLC (LON:HUM) said it expects to pour its first gold from the Yanfolila mine in Mali with the processing of ore well underway. Supply from the pad stockpile is now going through the mill and carbon in leach process plant in order to extract the yellow metal. Commercial ramp up will begin in the first quarter of next year and the aim is to produce 130,000 ounces of gold.
Internet of Things enabler Telit Communications Plc (LON:TCM) is targeting double-digit revenue growth next year after the recent award of various US certifications.
Gfinity Plc (LON:GFIN) has once again been named as Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) preferred event partner, this time for the upcoming Halo World Championship 2018 which kicks off next month.
SDX Energy Inc (LON:SDX CVE:SDX) has confirmed that the KSR-15 well, at the Sebou field onshore Morocco, has now been tested and put on production. The well yielded into the sales line a restricted average rate of 7.52mln cubic feet of gas per day during the testing phase.
APQ Global Limited (LON:APQ), the emerging markets growth company has announces that, as at the close of business on 30 November 2017, its unaudited book value was 93.96p per ordinary share.