London pre-open: Small fall ahead

London's top stocks look set to add to yesterday's losses, though traders expect only a 10 points drop early on.HMV reported a 1.8% drop in total like-for-like sales in the 18 week period since the end of April in what the entertainment media group called a tough consumer environment. Separately, the group today announced that it is acquiring a 50% equity stake in digital media company 7digital for £7.7m in cash. Rail and bus group Go-Ahead said it was pleased to report results slightly ahead of its expectations in June despite profits more than halving. Pre-tax profit fell to £42m against £103.1m last year due to higher costs and exceptional charges. Recruitment group Hays posted a sharp fall in profits in the year to June 30 and said it was seeing no signs of recovery. Pre-tax profits for the year slid to £151m from £264.4m as revenues fell to £670.8m from £786.8m. McBride's private-label products helped the personal care products supplier to post a rise in profits for the year. Premier Farnell said second quarter sales fell 17% although the rate of sales decline in Europe and Asia Pacific has abated.Distribution group Wincanton has won three contracts with the retail giant Marks & Spencer which it says should be worth £275m over five years.Swedish firm Tricorona said it has decided not to proceed with an offer for Irish carbon credit company EcoSecurities.