Global Brands Share News (GBR)

Shares in Global Brands charged forward as the Domino's Pizza franchise holder in Switzerland reported strong trading in 2010 to follow a good end to 2009.Global says January sales increased 7.4% on January 2009, February sales increased 11.2%, March sales increased 14.5% and April sales increased 19.1%. Losses last year, 2009, came in at Sfr3m on sales of Sfr11.8m."We now look forward with confidence for the remainder of 2010 and beyond. By the end of 2010 we plan to have opened five further stores. Over the longer term, we intend expanding the Domino's network to 50 stores in Switzerland, with 20 Company-owned stores and 30 sub-franchisees," chairman Simon Bentley said.Leisure hotel operator Japan Leisure has cautioned that trading to date in 2010 continues to be very challenging and revenue levels are falling short of 2009, though occupancy rates remain above 240%. Last year, 2009, the hotel group saw revenues rise to Y1,2bn from Y1.18bn, though profits dipped to Y43.5m from Y566m and revenue per room declined. There is a dividend of 1p.Plethora Solutions has today completed a placing to raise £550,000 consisting of £255,000 of convertible loan notes and the issue of 2,360,000 new ordinary shares of 1p each at a placing price of 12.5p per share. The new funds will help accelerate growth at marketing subsidiary, The Urology Company.Sunrise Diamonds has secured a three year option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the previously producing Long Lake Gold Mine located 20km south-west of the City of Sudbury, Ontario (Canada). The claims also cover potential extensions to the currently producing Copper Cliff dyke system.Hotel group NH Hoteles is to use d2w Controlled-life Plastic technology, developed by Symphony in all of its shampoo bottles, laundry bags, carrier bags, bin liners and branded packaging throughout its 393 hotels. This is the first environmental agreement between a major hotel group and a degradable plastics company, Symphony says.Emissions control systems manufacturer Catalytic Solutions is in talks with its secured lender over extending the deadline, which expired on April 30, on its debt payment obligations after running into liquidity problems. The company is exploring numerous recapitalisation options and warned that failure to recapitalise could jeopardise the existence of the company.In 2009 the company its net loss from continuing operations more than halve to $9.5m from $19.9m the year before on revenue that eased to $50.5m from $52.6m.Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year had slipped to $2.3m from $6.7m at the end of 2008. Chinese video surveillance firm BlueStar SecuTech said trading for the second half of its financial year, which runs to end-March, has been solid with revenue running around 50% ahead of the corresponding period of the previous year. Both revenue and profit are expected to be kin line with market expectations.Deo Petroleum, formerly Microcap Equities, narrowed its pre-tax loss to £80,077 in 2009 from £144,366 last year and moved a step nearer to its aim of investing in the oil and gas industry.The group, which agreed to a reorganisation and change to its investing policy last year, today appointed an experienced team of industry executives and raised £572,000 at 13p a share.But it's admitted it will need "significant additional capital" if it is to invest in capital intensive oil and gas projects.Helphire, which supplies replacement vehicles to drivers involved in accidents, continues to predict case volumes in the first half of 2010 will be down on 2009 after they fell 18.4% to 38,867 in the three months to 31 March."The benefits from the restructuring plan are self evident and the group continues to make solid progress," said managing director Martin Ward. "The number of case closures is increasing and we are encouraged by the better dialogue we now have with insurers."UK gas producer and unconventional gas firm, IGas Energy, lost £504,000 in 2009, up from £386,000 the year before, but is moving closer to production.It will be demonstrating its ability to deliver gas from its assets this year with additional pilot production and equipping itself for its first full production site in 2011. Independent estimates show that IGas currently has enough gas to supply electricity to over 7% of the UK households, almost 2m homes, for 15 years.Computer hardware firm Northamber has inched higher despite reporting that a drop in UK demand for PC's and IT equipment last month was reflected in its April sales."As that may have been a one-off impact it is too early to assess the effect on the potential outcome for the remainder of our own financial year," it said.Stockbroker Numis Securities made £6.1m in the six months to the end of March, down from £6.4m last year, but revenue surged 63% to £31.3m.Profit before tax, a £1.3m contribution from investments and £4.6m of share scheme charges soared to £9.4m from £2.8m.