Cybersecurity group Shearwater (SWG) states that it “is pleased to provide an update on trading”. So why are the shares currently more than 7% lower towards 130p?…

Industrial and healthcare products group Scapa (SCPA) has updated including “track ahead of its COVID plan… put the group on a solid foundation as it enters FY21 H2” – and the shares have currently responded to 132.6p, 7.5% higher…

Back in July I observed why worrying about an 80% like-for-like revenue decline at Premier Inn owner Whitbread (WTB) was not an investment-stopping concern for me. I even concluded that, buoyed by the monies raised from this year’s rights issue, ‘I retain my decent sized position and ceteris paribus would add more at around twenty quid’. We will come back to that latter observation later. But today’s first half trading update (for the six months to the end of August) does show a little improvement…

Digital-focused consulting, software engineering and marketing company Kin and Carta (KCT) now “expect revenue and profits for the financial year to be slightly ahead of the expectations provided in our July update” and “early signs of improvement in client activity, pipeline and continued traction with our strategic partners give us confidence in the company’s future prospects”. Sounds encouraging… though, of course, it depends on what the expectations were…

‘Image capture and content’ products designer and manufacturer Vitec Group (VTC) has updated including “all of our manufacturing sites are now operational”, “trading conditions in May are starting to improve… firmly believe that Vitec's end markets will recover well once the crisis is over as the demand for original content continues to grow” and “Vitec has a robust financial position with liquidity, long-term financing and short-term flexibility”. The shares have currently responded more than 3% higher to 650p, though still comparing to more than 1000p in February...

Shares in self-styled “premier technology solutions provider to leisure, entertainment and cultural markets” Accesso Technology (ACSO) have recently recovered to around 200p, but are currently more than 10% lower, at 175p, in response to a latest business update...

I am not sure anyone on this website has written about SSP Group (SSPG) before. This may be something about the rather anonymous name of the company. You would know it better as the operator of Upper Crust, Cabin Bar and Ritazza (among other names) food and beverage concessions 'in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations'. Well you can spot the problem in today's backdrop, especially if you have a business that operates 'at approximately 180 airports and 300 rail stations' around the world. Today's update from the company comes in two parts…

Previously writing on homeware and fashion retailer Laura Ashley (ALY), on its latest results in August I concluded there looks much to correct – and then there is of course the current general retail climate. As such, I’m not surprised to see the shares respond currently further lower. Still presently on the bargepole list. The shares had jumped over Christmas and the New Year but are currently back below 2p on a “Response to press speculation”…

Previously writing on cleaning and hygiene products manufacturer McBride (MCB), in July I concluded with the shares then down a further more than 10%, below 70p, that my stance remains bargepole / sell. The company “today provides a trading update for the six months ended 31 December 2019”. Uh oh – not ‘is pleased to provide’?...

Previously writing on industrial chains and related power transmission products company Renold (RNO), in August I concluded with the shares at 23.5p awaiting clear financial delivery of ‘refocused efforts on operational improvement’, I currently continue to avoid. Today a “Trading Update”…

“Manufacturer and supplier of innovative ingredient solutions for the flavour, fragrance, beverage and consumer product industries”, Treatt (TET) has updated on trading including “a very encouraging 16% growth in non-citrus revenues… As new capacity at our US facility comes on stream the business will begin to see the benefits from this investment and, as we look forward to moving into our new UK facility later next year, the board enters the year ahead with confidence”. The shares though are currently around 414p, down from 480p reached in the summer…

Earlier this week I cautioned on ProPhotonix (PPIX), new laser diode ‘delight’, but it’s an RNS Reach having questioned its financial strength. Now first half of 2019 results – and the shares currently at 2.25p, approaching 30% lower…

First writing here on Mobile Streams (MOS), in 2015 I concluded with the shares at circa 17p it is currently here for me, red flags ahoy! Bargepole. Most recently, I concluded with the shares now further lower to 0.15p, the market cap is down to £0.21 million. Good luck from there! – and I note more than three months ago the company was already “analyzing further financing initiatives”. Natch, currently still a bargepole / sell. Now “Proposed Cancellation & Notice of General Meeting”…

Holders Technology (HDT) has announced results for its half year ended 31st May 2019, including “PCB operations remain profitable, and management has recently implemented targeted cost savings to further improve profitability. The LCS divisions have achieved good growth and a modest profit in the first half, and the pipeline of sales opportunities is encouraging, with the acceptance in the market of wireless lighting controls”. The shares have currently responded to 40p – er, more than 11% lower…

Previously writing on PHSC plc (PHSC), in June I questioned security technology proving diversification or ‘diworsification’? – concluding including “by mid-August”-expected results will be of particular interest. The company has now announced those results…

Hello Share Takers. Some construction giants have taken a share drubbing in the last couple of years. But Balfour Beatty (BBY) is now on the front foot – and likely to stay that way in my humble opinion...

Shares in stockbroker Cenkos Securities (CNKS) are currently up to around 40p, though down from more than 46p at the end of last week. This following a Monday intra-day (3:02pm) “Directorate Change & Trading Update”…

Shares in Peel Hotels (PHO) were suspended towards the end of last month as the company was still in the process of finalising its audit and would miss the AIM Rules deadline. It has now published – and the shares are currently around 40p, down approaching 40%...

Previously writing on Autins Group (AUTG), in June I noted deteriorating finances and concluded bargepole / sell. The shares have recently been around the 28p of then, but now placing news…

Already down from a start of 2019 more than 9p, shares in CyanConnode (CYAN) are currently further lower below 6p despite a trading update seeing Executive Chairman John Cronin commencing “we have made solid progress during H1 2019, securing a number of follow on orders in India and Europe, which is testament to the strength of our Omnimesh technology” and concluding “the growth in India and the demand from the rest of the world gives the board confidence that we will meet full year market expectations. We look forward to reporting on such new orders in H2 2019 and delivering significant revenue growth for FY 2019”. Hmmm…

Telematics and data insight provider, Trakm8 (TRAK) has announced results for its year ended 31st March 2019, including “sales related challenges and contract delays significantly impacted” but that “the new financial year has begun with new contract awards from two further insurance companies, with revenues already commenced” and “Fleet sales team's performance is continuing to improve, securing a higher value of contracts than the corresponding period last year with this momentum expected to continue”. The current year to be much improved then?...

“Distil plc (AIM: DIS), owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva Vodka, is pleased to provide an update on trading for the first quarter of its current financial year”. However… it intra-day (10:13am) and the shares are currently at 1.20p – approaching 15% lower!...

Models and collectibles group Hornby (HRN) has announced results for its year ended 31st March 2019, “pleased to report to our shareholders in an exciting but challenging period for our company”…

Writing on the most recent full-year results from PHSC plc (PHSC), I questioned security technology to prove diversification or ‘diworsification’?. Now a year ended 31st March 2019 “Trading Update”…

Well a year has passed since I wrote on these pages that:

“The Board of Touchstar plc (AIM:TST), suppliers of mobile data computing solutions and managed services to a variety of industrial sectors, is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2018”. The shares have responded currently more than 16% lower to below 34p. “Pleased to announce”, you say?...

Previously writing on Contracts for Differences trading provider Plus500 (PLUS), I noted in February a house broker 1760p share price target but with the shares lower below 1000p concluded I’d certainly still feel more comfortable with the bears than the bulls. Today a ‘Q1 2019 Trading Update’ commencing “Subdued financial markets in the quarter weighed on revenue for the period”. Uh oh…

Promotional and retail licensing space company SpaceandPeople (SAL) has announced 2018 results and that “since the end of 2018 we have been awarded a new, multi-year contract with Hammerson in the UK, and our investment in venue development personnel is delivering a good new venues pipeline in the UK” and “as a result of the improved margins and reduced overheads across the two German divisions we are confident they will deliver a positive contribution to group cash flow in 2019”. The shares have currently responded… er, to 12p – more than 17% lower!...

Having updated in early December that it had “experienced challenging trading”, now a further trading update from online retailer, MySale (MYSL)…

An AGM update from “high performance polymer solutions, focused on the strategic markets of Automotive, Aerospace, Energy, Electronics and Medical”-company Victrex (VCT) includes “our expectations for the second half are unchanged, with new projects and reduced headwinds supporting our assumptions” – and the shares have currently nudged further ahead of 2300p. However, that compares to circa 3400p at the start of October. Hmmm…

I could talk about market heavyweights Diageo (DGE), Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) or Unilever (ULVR) but frankly none are interesting or compelling...although no doubt dividend munchers are still getting frothy about them. Instead I turn again to the bingo, casino and more emporium Rank (RNK) – which I last wrote about in August, observing 'below 160p as a "have another look" level still feels correct. No debt, cashflow, well-known assets...smell the private equity or industry consolidation potential'…

Writing on Seeing Machines (SEE) in November, I questioned is it really “very well placed” financially to leverage developments?. Now a “Half year trading update” – surely some useful further insight into that key question then…

LightwaveRF (LWRF) has announced results for its year ended 30th September 2018, including Chairman Barry Gamble stating “your company continues to make considerable progress on a number of fronts. Excellent product endorsements, such as being described as ‘the best UK (Apple) Homekit solution for smart lighting’, amply demonstrate our proven technology, even as the company presses ahead with further developments and more international variants”. So why do the shares remain depressed, below 7p?...

The results announcement for its half-year ended 30th September 2018 from IT consultancy group Triad (TRD) includes “encouragingly, gross margin as a percentage of revenue has increased to 18.5% (2017: 16.8%)”, “the group's cash position remains extremely healthy… has declared an interim dividend of 1p (2017: 0.5p)” and “the group has made good progress with a number of business development activities aimed at strengthening our profile and increasing our client base across the public and private sectors”. The shares are currently, er, more than 25% lower, towards 45p in response. Hmmm…

The board of mobile content licenser and distributor Mobile Streams (MOS) “is pleased to present its audited accounts for the financial year ended 30 June 2018”. The shares have responded..., er, currently approaching 25% lower, to 0.70p!...

A trading update from “online service provider for trading Contracts for Differences”, Plus500 (PLUS) including “in the three months ended 30 September 2018, the company's revenue was $100.1 million, a decrease of 14% compared to the same period last year. This period included two months (August and September) of trading post the newly implemented ESMA regulations”. The shares have currently responded, er, more than 6% higher, back above 1300p!…

Dillistone Group (DSG) has announced “GatedTalent registers 20,000th executive member” - including “having launched the innovative executive database at the end of 2017, the pace of registrations has increased considerably with the momentum achieved seeing two considerable milestones being passed in quick succession. The 10,000th registration was registered in August 2018, with the 20,000th being achieved approximately two months later”. Sounds good, but what about financials?...

Beldray, Intempo, Salter, Constellation and Progress consumer goods brands company UP Global Sourcing (UPGS) has updated on its year ended 31st July 2018 and on current trading and outlook, including “the FY19 order book is ahead of this time last year”. Why only a slight share price recovery, to currently still sub 33p, then?...

With a relative dearth of larger cap news out today I turn my attention to Headlam (HEAD), which is apparently 'Europe's largest distributor of floorcoverings, providing the distribution link between suppliers and customers across the UK and Continental Europe'.

GAME Digital (GMD) has updated including “group revenue for the 52 weeks ended 28 July 2018 is expected to show a small decline at approximately £780 million (2017: £782.9 million)”. That compares to at the half-year stage “revenue of £517.4 million… an increase of 3.9%”. Hmmm…

An update from LiDCO Group (LID) commences that the company “announces that it has had further success in the USA, contracting three additional customers to its recently launched differentiated High Usage Programme business model. HUP continues to build momentum after its launch in July 2017”. Sounds promising… so why, and particularly with the shares down from approaching 8p in May to below 6p, has the stock not responded positively?...

Writing on MediaZest (MDZ) in May it was 3 deals which were to usher in positive EBITDA closed. BUT…. Now “the creative audio-visual company, is pleased to provide shareholders with final results for the year ended 31 March 2018”. Not so bad then? Er…

Pressure Technologies (PRES) has announced results for its half year ended 31st March 2018 including “dynamics in the defence and oil and gas markets are showing considerable momentum” and “there is significant potential in Alternative Energy”. So why are the shares currently further lower, below 130p?...

Back in August I wondered if advertising behemoth WPP's (WPP) name stood for 'What Profit Progression'. Well I got that bit correct judging by yesterday's results which were truly shabby with like-for-like full year revenue declines, a pulling back of medium-term growth hopes and rather desultory profit progression. No wonder the shares were down 8%, apparently their worst day this century. That hardly reflects the zip of the 'Mad Men' view of the advertising industry, more the drudgery of a new world where the big corporations are probing and prodding more their advertising spend.

HaloSource (HALO) is “very pleased with the progress we have made with our newly executed all Drinking Water business strategy”. Good, good – this results statement for the first half of 2017 should be encouraging then…

Five months after its 31st March 2017 year-end, “creative audio-visual company” MediaZest (MDZ) “is pleased to provide shareholders with final results”. Hmmm…

Following it having missed the six month deadline for full-year accounts publication (as, pending the securing of funding, it was “unable to sign-off the audit”) – and the shares resultantly having been suspended, blur Group (BLUR) now “is pleased to announce its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2016”. Hmmm, “pleased” hey?…

Currently attempting to push a 2.9p per share offer from S&P 500 financial services technology company Fiserv through, Monitise (MONI) has followed the recent lead of InterQuest (ITQ) in delivering a downbeat trading update…

London estate agency Foxtons (FOXT) has updated on the first quarter of 2017, seeing a significant decline in revenue on the corresponding 2016 period though arguing “performance has been in line with the board's expectations”…

A “Trading Update” announcement from Plexus Holdings (POS) includes early that “although Plexus continues to pursue a number of specific opportunities in the North Sea and overseas, where discussions are progressing well, some of these are taking longer than anticipated to conclude” and that “a number of encouraging new contracts are currently being negotiated and are now likely to be concluded early in the next financial year, to June 2018”. Uh oh…

Self-described “world leader in the design and manufacture of supercapacitors, which considerably extend the performance of batteries”, CAP-XX (CPX) has announced results including that it “has again made excellent progress over the six months to 31 December 2016 and beyond in building on and refining its strategy”. Sounds positive. What? The shares currently 16% lower, at 8.5p?!?…

The results announcement for its half year ended 31st December 2016 from the former Ten Alps plc, now Zinc Media Group (ZIN), emphasises “decisive action taken” and “for the first time in recent years, the company reported a profit at the adjusted EBITDA level”. So why are the shares more than 9% lower, heading towards 1.20p, on the back of the release?...

Having previously concluded it understandable that they remain below 40p, I note shares in Volex (VLX) currently rising above this level on the back of a “Trading Statement” announcement…

Having fallen towards 1p after being above 5p as recently as May, shares in Imaginatik (IMTK) are currently recovering to around 2p on the back of results for the company’s half year ended 30th September 2016…

Despite the company arguing that “results for the first half of 2016 are a strong improvement on 2015”, shares in video security systems group IndigoVision (IND) are currently more than 5% lower, at 150p, on the results announcement. Let’s take a look...