Small caps round-up: Acal, Avation, Lonrho...

European technology group Acal's like-for-like sales have increased by 17% since September, driven by strong growth in its core electronics division. "Assuming no deterioration from current levels, we expect full year results to be ahead of our previous expectations," the group said.Profits at aircraft leasing company Avation, which joined the Main Market of the LSE, jumped from £1.53m to £2.79m for six months ended 31 December. The numbers were "in line with an expansion of the scale of the group's operations," according to chairman Jeff Chatfield. The recent tie-up between Skywest Airlines (Australia) and Virgin Blue- to provide up to 18 new aircraft - could be earnings accretive before the year end, he added.Africa-based investment group Lonrho, whose shares have risen over 60% since October - delivered 21% revenue growth in its first quarter at £27.6m, from £22.8m the prior year. A strong performance in its agricultural production and processing logistics division lifted sales. Group gross profits rose by 32% to £6.8m. African Aura has received encouraging results from its reconnaissance drilling at its Ndablama gold prospect in western Liberia. Results from first 8 holes reported include 8m at 6.04 g/t and 16m at 2.38 g/t. Further trench results included 79m at 2.16 g/t. Soil sampling results have extended the gold anomaly to over 2km long."We are very encouraged by these early stage drilling and trenching results from the Ndablama gold prospect. This promising gold target is located approximately 40 kilometres North East of our 1.51Moz New Liberty gold project and demonstrates similar geology," Luis da Silva, President and CEO of African Aura commented. Bahamas Petroleum has completed the acquisition of 2D seismic in its southern licences, which confirmed the presence of multiple prospects. The company will engage an independent firm to define the full scope of the seismic analysis, define and hi-grade drillable prospects and assign resource estimates. Modern Water has acquired Cogent Environmental Limited from the private equity investor, Sultan Scientific Limited. Cogent Environmental is a global provider of state-of-the-art environmental and process monitoring products for monitoring heavy metals in over 20 countries. The consideration is £415,000 in cash, plus 642,571 ordinary shares.Oil explorer San Leon has received approval from the Albanian Government for the Durresi Block Licence Petroleum Complimentary Agreement for San Leon and its partner, Beach Energy Limited. San Leon, through a subsidiary, holds a 75% interest in the block and is the operator. Beach Energy holds the remaining 25% interest. The Durresi Block, offshore Albania, is situated along the highly prospective Apulian Margin. San Leon will focus on acquiring 3D seismic data over the next two months.