Small caps round-up: Arbuthnot, Jelf, Strategic Natural Resources

Investment banking deteriorated sharply in the third quarter and retail banking saw good progress in motor finance and prepaid current accounts, but results were impacted by the cost of carrying significant surplus deposits, niche bank Arbuthnot said in its third quarter trading update.Elsewhere in finance, shares in Jelf moved higher after a cheery update.'The group has traded well during the period with results expected to be in line with market expectations,' the provider of insurance, financial advice and employee benefit services said. 'Despite difficult economic conditions and a soft and highly competitive market in commercial insurance, turnover has held up well.'Shares in Strategic Natural Resources roared higher after the 74% owner of coal exploration and production assets in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa said a review of the assets confirmed its expectations on export feasibility. Arbuthnot