Companies: BIT    CAF    HML    HYC    MEA    MOB    PDX    PXS    RNSM    YOO   

International mobile phone ringtone provider Monstermob (MOB) reports that UK earnings are likely to be £1.5 million lower than previously expected, sending its shares clanging down 40 per cent. Chief executive Martin Higginson is standing down, to be replaced by operations director Niccolo de Masi.

Video games designer-turned-online games designer Bits Corp (BIT) will report a loss of 'up to £2 million' for the year to March, due to costs associated with write-offs and the refocusing of the company's activities. Bits, whose shares crumbled by a quarter to 11.25p, will soon change its name to Playwize to reflect its new direction.

And PDX pump developer Pursuit Dynamics (PDX) lost an increased £1.5 million on a twelve-fold surge in turnover to £500,000 in the interim to March. Progress towards commercialisation of its pump for the brewing industry continues apace, with Pursuit already partnered up with a 'top five' brewer. The shares dribbled down ten per cent to 107.5p, however.

Across AIM, the declines continued, with the Index falling 2.4 per cent to 1,064.8 by lunchtime, failing to muster a similar fortitude as the blue chips on the FTSE 100, which gained a tiny 6.8 points to 5,662 on a healthier Wall Street and much bargain hunting.

Yoo into bed with Virgin

Digital content and services provider YooMedia (YOO) has signed a multi-year agreement national with commercial pop music station Virgin Radio, to provide digital bandwidth for the transmission on the Freeview network. The shares ended the week even-stevens, at 3p.

Results from Edinburgh-based IT and communications services reseller Glen (GLN) showed it lost £380,000 on £1 million turnover for the six months to March. Recently acquired Eclectic provided more than half of sales in the period and is apparently making good strides towards profits.

Shopping at work provider Premier Direct (PDR) halved to 52.5p after confessing on Monday that trading conditions had worsened and that it now expects to make a loss for the year to July. Finance director Andrew Dean resigned later in the week.

Attractive figures fail to lift Hyder

Shares in Hyder Consulting (HYD), the engineering design and planning consultancy, were down over the week despite adjusted profits before tax swelling 169 per cent to £7 million. Its sales order book has risen 30 per cent to £240 million and five 'infill' acquisitions were completed.

An annual meeting statement from property agent Medsea Estates (MEA) informed of 'regained' momentum and said it expected a 'significant recovery in first half profits'. News that major investment into new markets are beginning to reap rewards helped the shares rise 16 per cent to 19.75p.

Compass Finance (CAF), which brokers consumer loans and mortgages, made £212,000 interim operating profits in the six months to March and says its Debt Advisor acquisition creates a 'one stop shop'. Compass is raising £4.15 million with a placing at 40p to fund the purchase and set up a new debt advisory division.

Henderson leaps on herpes pact

Shares in drug discovery minnow Henderson Morley (HML) leapt 18 per cent to 4.58p on the news it has signed a 'letter of intent' with a European dermatological company for the licensing of its topical treatment of genital and labial herpes.

Natural consumer healthcare venture William Ransom (RNSM), the UK's oldest independent pharmaceutical player, produced a 209 per cent profits surge to £3.4 million for the year to March. The shares added a penny to 50.5p.

Losses at bombed-out 'nutraceutical' food group Provexis (PXS) almost doubled to £3.8 million last year, as it saw turnover plunge from £609,000 to £267,000 in the year to March.