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AIM’s All-Share Index, which finished last week at 1110.1 points, closed slightly lower at 1109.9 today, despite a 2.3 point gain on Friday. Nevertheless, the week was awash of exciting developments for investors. Bids for bar operators from private equity houses and a slew of exceptionally strong results ensured there was never a dull moment.

Investors raised a glass to bar operators this week, with Urbium toasted 6.8 per cent higher to 1062p after it appeared private equity house Electra Partners had won the battle for the Tiger Tiger chain. Its cash offer values Urbium at £113 million and is being recommended by the board. For the half to June, Urbium’s continuing sales edged up 9.6 per cent to £35.1 million, though pre-tax profits fell to £1.2 million (£1.9 million) on planned reinvestment. Shares in Revolution vodka bar brand operator Inventive Leisure hit a 52-week high of 146p on another approach from the private equity ranks.

One of the week’s other big stories involved PLUS Markets (PMK), which runs the private OFEX share market. It has raised £2.5 million at 5p to raise its challenge to AIM. PLUS Markets, which cut first half losses from £533,000 to £153,000, is run by former AIM boss Simon Brickles, and plans to ‘broaden markedly its existing trading services to encompass an extended range of securities’.

Also flowing 3.7 per cent higher at 249p was fluid processing play Pursuit Dynamics (PDX). Traders suggest a deal to use its technology with a major oil group is on the cards.

Results round-up

Results season kicked into full swing with a swathe of excellent interims from support service players. Among them Imprint, the multi-disciplinary recruiter guided by Irishman Brian Hamill. Imprint, which is buying leading Irish recruiter Accreate for £5.4 million, scored a 255 per cent profits leap to £1.9 million for the half to June, with turnover jumping from £3.6 million to £22 million.

Property support services play Inspace, which joined AIM in May at 108p, pleased with maiden half time numbers. Profits trekked 73 per cent north to £3.4 million, ahead of analysts’ forecasts, and Inspace reported a mammoth £450 million order book. For the year, the market expects pre-tax profits of £7.9 million, and 30 per cent earnings growth to 8.7p-a-share.

Last but not least, architects outfit SMC, which joined AIM in June, reported a 255 per cent profits surge to £1.1 million on turnover raised 47 per cent to £5.4 million. SMC’s strategy now is to use increasing scale to bag larger-value, higher margin deals. Analysts are forecasting profits of more than £2.9 million for the year.

Friday flurry

One of Friday’s star turns was investment manager Ashcourt, which sparked up 67.5 per cent to 203.5p on a recommended cash offer by Syndicate Asset Management, a vehicle set up to consolidate fund management companies. SAM is offering 210p a share, a 73 per cent premium to yesterday’s closing price, and valuing Ashcourt at £12.9 million.

Goals Soccer Centres kicked 1.5p higher to 146p on well-received maiden interims to June, though by close of play the shares were 144.5p once more.The 5-a-side soccer centre operator, which floated in December at 62p, reported a 473 per cent pre-tax profits leap to £1.3 million on sales of £5.5 million, with earnings per share rocketing 200 per cent north to 2.1p. Encouragingly, managing director Keith Rogers also flagged up strong current trading.

And despite reporting wider pre-tax losses of £576,000 (£364,000) for the year to July, healthcare specialist Ultrasis firmed up 17.3 per cent to 2.375p. The market warmed to a distribution agreement with US health management company HealthMedia, as well as news of increasing penetration of the NHS market.