Henry Boot PLC (LSE:BOOT) legged it 4.5% higher to 292p after it revealed it had traded ahead of expectations in 2021.
The property investment and development firm said it expects profit before tax for 2021 to be materially ahead of market expectations.
The company said it performed well in 2021 primarily due to an uplift in industrial & logistics capital values, both within completed retained developments and existing investments, alongside a strong performance from the strategic land business.
2.35pm: OptiBiotix wanted after it reveals anti-chlesterol study results
OptiBiotix Health PLC (AIM:OPTI) hardened 3.6% to 43.5p after encouraging results from a study of LPLDL, its cholesterol-busting probiotic.
The results of the study showed that at six weeks when volunteers taking placebo were compared to those taking LPLDL, there were statistically significant changes to clinically important cardiovascular risk.
These changes included a 34.2% reduction in total cholesterol and a 28.4% reduction in so-called bad cholesterol.
1.40pm: Avacta Group pulls out of its slump
Avacta Group PLC (AIM:AVCT) shares pulled out of their slump, rising 7.5% to 78.5p after news of its next pre|CISION drug candidate.
The candidate, AVA3996, has been selected for preclinical development with a view to a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial beginning in the second half of 2023.
Shares in the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company have slumped from 126.4p at the end of 2021 after the company had to suspend shipments of its AffiDX Covid-19 test in the UK earlier this month.
12.45pm: Evgen Pharma signs exclusive option to license ovel sulforaphane analogues
Evgen Pharma PLC (AIM:EVG), up 9.6% at 5.15p, has signed an exclusive option to license novel sulforaphane analogues that may have the potential to be developed into products to broaden its drug pipeline.
The company has agreed a memorandum of understanding over an option to license second-generation sulforaphane analogues synthesised by trio of Spanish research institutions, subject to a fixed evaluation period.
Evgen said the analogues have the potential for differentiation from its lead product, SFX-01, in terms of product formulation and may also have the potential for differential activity against targets that it is pursuing.
11.50am: New business profits grow by a double-digit percentage - just - at Just Group
Just Group PLC (LSE:JUST) is not the world’s sexiest stock but it rose 10% to 94.65p following a business update covering 2021.
The financial services firm, which specialises in retirement income, said retirement income sales rose 25% from the year before to £2.7bn, of which defined benefit de-risking sales – up 28% – contributed £1.9bn.
New business profits grew by a "low double-digit" percentage, management revealed.
10.55am: Sanderson Design raises guidance on back of strong manufacturing sales
Sanderson Design Group PLC surged 17% to 180p as it said profits for the year just ended are expected to be significantly ahead of expectations.
While group revenues for the year are expected to be only slightly ahead of board expectations at about £112.0mln (FY 2021: £93.8mln), the group's profitability is expected to be significantly ahead owing to the operational gearing effect of recent manufacturing sales and additional, higher-margin, licensing income.
The luxury interior design and furnishings group said brand product sales for the year performed in line with expectations while the group’s manufacturing operations continued to benefit from very strong order books.
10.00am: Guild eSports signs largest sponsorship deal in its history
Guild Esports PLC (LSE:GILD, OTC:GULDF) jumped 14% to 3.65p after it clinched an exclusive £4.5mln sponsorship deal with Bitstamp. one of the world's longest-running crypto exchanges.
The deal, which will run for three years, is the largest in Guild eSports’ history.
As part of the agreement, Bitstamp will be given marketing rights and prominent exposure across Guild's team jersey and will also appear across social and digital content featuring the Company's pro-players and content creators. Bitstamp's logo and brand will also be integrated at Guild's new flagship London headquarters which are due to open in early 2022.
9.05am: CYBA rockets on the back of Nectar cryptocurrency frenzy
CYBA PLC (LSE:CYBA) shares shot up 79% to 2.95p in early deals as it confirmed it is still in discussions to buy PolySwarm.
The special purpose acquisition company made the announcement after noting the recent movement of PolySwarm’s cryptocurrency token Nectar.
On 12 January 2022 Nectar was accepted for trading on the Coinbase Exchange and within two trading days had increased by 760%.
Serial disappointment THG PLC (LSE:THG), also known as The Hut Group, fell 5.8% to 174.9p as the company’s trading statement failed to hit the mark.
The retail technology company, which floated its shares in September 2020 at 500p, said group revenue rose by 27.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The board said it expects full-year revenue growth in 2022 of 22.0% to 25.0% on a constant currency basis. Management also warned of rising commodity prices affecting its nutrition division.