NWF Group PLC (AIM:NWF) is on the rise after a positive update.
The specialist distributor of fuel, food and feed said first half trading was strong, with results expected to be significantly ahead of the same time last year. As a result it expects its full year performance to be in line with expectations.
It benefited from the fuel shortage in the autumn, since it maintained continuity of supply at all its depots, while its food business saw strong demand.
But its feeds division had a disappointing outcome, the result of lower volumes, significant commodity price and cost inflation and the challenges of passing this though to customers in the short term.
Chief executive Richard Whiting said: "We have delivered a very strong first half performance, despite volatile market demand and significant inflationary pressures. The group has been able to retain labour and drivers, ensuring we have continued to service our customers' needs. Both fuels and food have delivered significant year on year growth in the first half, more than offsetting a weaker feeds result and we enter our seasonally busier second half with good momentum."
Its shares are 4.52% better at 219.5p.
2.07pm: Omega Diagnostics jumps after its lateral flow test proves accurate for omicron variant
Omega Diagnostics Group PLC (AIM:ODX) is looking healthy after its lateral flow test was found to be accurate with the omicron variant.
The medical diagnostics company has been told by its technology partner Mologic Ltd that data shows that the Covios Ag test - sold by Omega as the Visitect antigen test - performs with the same high accuracy on the Omicron variant as it does with existing known variants.
Omega chief executive Colin King said: "We are very pleased be in a position to confirm that the Visitect COVID-19 antigen test is able to equally detect the Omicron variant, as well as other existing variants. We remain encouraged by emerging commercial opportunities for our Visitect COVID-19 Antigen test that we expect to be unlocked following relevant approval under CTDA regulations and CE-marking for home-use."
Omega shares have jumped 8.84% or 2.10p to 25.85p.
11.50am: CAP-XX (AIM:CPX) energised by battery contract
CAP-XX (AIM:CPX) is climbing after the supercapacitor company unveiled a new contract.
Danish internet of things specialist Xtel Wireless has chosed the company's thin supercapacitor for its smart batteries, partly for its ability to allow the high bursts of power needed for the battery pack to wirelessly transmit diagnostic data to enable troubleshooting and battery maintenance .
"We are proud to support Xtel's Smart Batteries with the high energy and power density needed to power their wireless data transmissions," said Anthony Kongats, CAP-XX (AIM:CPX) chief executive. "This is just one example of how our thin prismatic supercapacitors can be excellent supporting actors for power management in all kinds of IoT devices."
CAP-XX (AIM:CPX) is up 5.41% at 5.85p.
11.01am: Joules drops by nearly a quarter as it warns on profits
A cocktail of concerns has seen clothing and accessories retailer Joules Group PLC (AIM:JOUL) drop sharply.
Its shares are down 23.85% or 46.5p at 1485p as it warned half year profits would fall to between £2mln and £2.5mln form £3.7mln despite a 35% rise in revenues to around £128mln.
It said supply chain issues had led to higher costs and stock delays, while staff shortages in a distribution centre operated by a third partly led to delays in shipping products to stores and online customers.
This hit November particularly hard, including the Black Friday period, leading to a worse than expected performance during the month.
So full year profits are now likely to below current market expectations and in the region of £9mln-£12mln notwithstanding any further significant COVID-19 restrictions.
It said: "Global supply chain challenges are expected to remain during at least the second half of the group's financial year and there is increased consumer uncertainty as a result of the emergence of the omicron coronavirus variant."
9.52am: Vela Technologies (AIM:VELA) boosted by update on COVID-19 treatment for diabetic patients
Vela Technologies (AIM:VELA) is in demand after positive news on a COVID-19 treatment where it has an economic interest.
The AZ1656 oral tablet for treating diabetic patients suffering from the virus has completed a clinical trial, and showed encouraging results.
St George Street Capital and Excalibur Medicines - the groups behind the treatment - are now starting commercial discussions with potential licensees and partners and examining options for the next stage of the development and approval process.
Professor John Martin, chairman of St George Street Capital, said the completion of the report from the clinical study was a major milestone: "We are encouraged by the trial findings which indicate that AZD1656, a simple oral tablet, has the potential to become a new treatment for COVID-19 - independent of viral mutations - initiating a new wave of therapies for clinicians in meeting this global challenge."
James Normand, director of Vela, said: "The board of Vela is delighted to be informed of this significant development in what is the company's most material investment. We note that St George Street is now moving forward with the proposed commercialisation of the AZ1656 drug and we look forward to positive news on this process in the near future."
Vela shares are up 15.79% to 0.06p.
8.50am: Aeorema Communications (AIM:AEO) sees shift to virtual events pay off
Live gatherings have obviously suffered badly during the pandemic but Aeorema Communications (AIM:AEO) has seen its switch to virtual conferences and online events pay off.
The live events organiser said it was experiencing "unprecedented demand" from a wide range of blue-chip clients across a range of industries. It has also benefited from a strategic shift to providing consultancy services and advising clients on their communications strategies.
It said the outlook for the first six months of the current year was strong, with revenues expected to be greater than any other period on record at £4.5mln.
It also expects a profitable first half for the first time in many years.
With revenues typically weighted towards the second half of the financial year, it said it was confident of the full year outcome.
The company also announce the appointment of Hannah Luffman, found of Unicorn Events Limited, to the board.
Chief executive Steve Quah said: "We look forward to the future with confidence as Aeorema continues to build its global presence in a considered and structured way that allows us to meet the needs of our evolving industry and client partnerships."
Aeorema shares have added 22.47% or 10p to 54.5p..
Also heading higher is technology group Getech Group PLC (AIM:GTC).
It has climbed 7.69% or 2.5p to 35p after its H2 Green subsidiary signed a legally binding agreement with SGN Commercial Services to develop a major green hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility on SGN's former gas holder site in Inverness.
In addition, Getech has agreed with SGN to progress three further UK sites to an advanced stage of evaluation and the parties are discussing the addition of several, recently identified sites to the joint review list.
Getech chief executive Jonathan Copus said: "The Inverness green hydrogen hub will be the first of it's kind in the local area and is ideally positioned to support the use of hydrogen for both rail and road transportation requirements.
"Today's announcement, in combination with our first hydrogen hub project at the Port of Shoreham, announced in November 2021, adds a second high-quality and strategically important development hub to our portfolio. These projects demonstrate the momentum that is building around our hydrogen operations."