iEnergizer (LSE:IBPO) has sparked up after news of a possible takeover.
The business process outsourcing firm said in response to speculation that it was undertaking a strategic review of its options.
As part of that review, it has begun talks with Baring Private Equity Asia about a sale of the company.
There was of course the usual caveat: "There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made or as to the terms on which any offer might be made."
Its shares are up 4.82% to 412.98p on the news.
3.20pm: Hargreaves Services expects profits to beat market forecasts
Hargreaves Services Plc (AIM:HSP, OTC:HGRVF) is higher after forecasting its full year results will be ahead of market expectations.
The group, focused on services for the industrial and property sectors, said the boost came partly from a strong performance from HRMS, its joint venture in Germany.
It said: "Commodity prices, including zinc and pig iron, have maintained their high level, which has led to an expectation that HRMS' contribution to the Hargreaves results for the year ended 31 May 2022 will now be £3.5mln after tax greater than prior consensus estimates."
Although revenues will be lower than the previous year after it ended its coal activities, profit will be higher thanks to the HRMS performance and an increased contribution from the services business, which includes a contract for HS2.
Its cash fell from £28.3mln to £14mln at the year end, following an additional short term loan of £15mln to HRMS to assist with its trading capacity.
In the market, Hargreaves shares have climbed 4.61% to 590p.
1.59pm: THG falls after board departure ahead of annual meeting
Shares in THG PLC (LSE:THG) - better known as The Hut Group - have fallen sharply after it announced a board departure just as the market closed on Wednesday.
Retail analyst Nick Bubb said: "The embattled THG announced that its non-exec Dominic Murphy (a powerful figure in the private equity world) had suddenly decided to step down, 'with immediate effect', after nearly eight years on the board, which is very odd timing two days before the AGM tomorrow."
Murphy was a partner in US private equity giant KKR and led its £12bn takeover of Boots in 2007.
The company said in April it had received a number of "unacceptable" bid proposals but there were now no approaches. It also released delayed results which included a cut in its profit margin guidance.
Its shares are down 6.26% to 130.2p.
12.04pm: Norcros upbeat after record profits
Norcros PLC (LSE:NXR), the bathroom and kitchen specialist, is in demand after reporting record profits.
Full year revenues rose 20.6% to £396.3mln, with underlying profits up 23.7% to £41.8mln.
The two months since the year end have seen revenues marginally better than the same time last year, and the company believes it will continue to progress in line with expectations.
Chairman Gary Kennedy said: "Norcros has continued its recovery following the period of exceptional global disruption and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the resilience of the group's business model and strategy has proven once again to be highly effective through a period of unprecedented cost inflation and supply chain challenges."
Norcros shares are up 4.17% to 250p.
10.34am: Southern Energy soars after "transformational moment"
Southern Energy Corp (TSX-V:SOU, AIM:SOUC, OTC:MAXMD) has been energised by a positive drilling update from the first of three wells at the Gwinville gas field in Mississippi.
It said gas was flowing at a higher initial level than the company's modelling had forecast.
Ian Atkinson, president and chief executive of Southern, said: "This is a transformational moment for our company; not only are we adding material production, reserves, and cash flow at a time when gas prices are near 14-year highs, but we are solidifying and executing our operational strategy to deliver multi-year redevelopment from our assets and highlighting the significant opportunity and optionality we have in providing equity growth for shareholders...
"While still premature to make accurate type curve predictions for these and future Gwinville wells, we can say at this point, that the early flowback performance is far superior to any of the previous Selma Chalk wells in the area."
Meanwhile it said that 5.3 million warrants issued on April 22, 2021 had been exercised for total proceeds of CAD$1.7mln to the company.
The company's shares have jumped 19.6% to 89.1p.
9.25am: Mitie moves higher after positive update, buyback and acquisition
Outsourcer Mitie Group PLC (LSE:MTO) is on the move after a positive trading update, a share buyback programme and an acquisition.
Full year revenues rose 58% to £3.99bn, with operating profit up from £4mln to £72mln.
It has reinstated its final dividend with a 1.4p a share payout, launched an initial £50mln buyback and is also paying up to £12.4mln for Custom Solar, which specialises in solar power systems for public and private sector clients.
Mitie chief executive Phil Bentley said: "The current year has started well, with significant contract wins from Hammerson, Netflix, Poundland, and Primark as well as renewals/extensions of our contracts to support military bases in Cyprus, Ascension Islands, and the Falklands.
"This new business momentum, together with a full year's contribution from significant contract wins including FDIS and BAE and the uptick in government projects and variable works (as our customers experience higher utilisation rates across their buildings), gives us confidence in our growth outlook.
"The impact of inflation on our business continues to be well managed and we will see further benefits this year from our margin enhancement initiatives. As a result, in the 2023 financial year, after excluding the £448mln COVID-19 related contract work that was delivered in 2022, we expect to deliver mid to high single digit revenue growth, together with good operating margin progress."
Mitie shares are up 5.03% at 64.7p.
8.34am: TruFin in demand after partnership with Sage and Lloyds Bank
TruFin PLC (AIM:TRU) shares have banked some gains after it unveiled a partnership with accounting and financial software giant Sage and Lloyds Bank.
The deal includes creating an embedded finance solution within Sage and aims to help small and medium sized businesses better manage their cash flow as the need arises. Powered by Satago, Sage customers will be able to access instant financing from Lloyds, based on invoices due, regardless of payment terms.
The three have signed a letter of intent with the final terms of the partnership subject to commercial negotiation. The product will initially be targeted at UK businesses, but Sage and Satago intend to expand globally, working with local banks in respective countries.
The news has seen TruFin jump 13.21% to 87.74p.
Elsewhere Northbridge Industrial Services Plc (AIM:NBI), which hires and sells specialist power reliability equipment, has sparked up after an upbeat trading statement.
The company - which will be renamed Crestchic PLC in honour of its main brand - said the strong trading it had seen in the first quarter had accelarated further in the second three months of the year.
On top of that, the pipeline for both rental and sales was building well for the remainder of the year.
Overall the business is trading ahead of upgraded expectations, and the group is increasing its outlook for the year as a whole.
Northbridge shares have climbed 8.57% to 209p.