Small caps round-up: Sportech, Liontrust, DQ...

Losses rose at football pools group Sportech last year after heavy asset write-downs and gross win falling 10% to £64.6m. Pre-tax losses in 2009 were £17m after £25m of one-offs. Underlying operating profits fell to £19.5m from £22.6m."That the decline in profitability is due, primarily, to our continued investment in establishing our online football pools business and the underperformance of our e-Gaming business, is testament to the resilience of the business in these tough times. Strong action has been taken to address the underperformance in these areas," chief executive Ian Penrose said.Fund manager Liontrust's funds under management fell slightly to £1.16bn in the three months to 24 March, with both retail and institutional seeing slight net outflows and a net outflow overall of £53m.Media programme DQ has picked up multiple deals for the licensing and merchandising of 'The Jungle Book' series. DQE's original production in hi-end 3D, 'The Jungle Book', is produced as a 52 episode animated series and a 60 minute TV feature. Anti-microbial hygiene group Byotrol has appointed Dr Gary Millar as the Company's new chief executive. Dr Millar will join the company on 1 April.David McRobbie, Byotrol's current CEO, will remain on the board with responsibility for the US operations, and will re-locate to the US later this year as CEO of Byotrol Inc. Byotrol added trading for the year to 31 March will be in line with current market expectations.Car valeter Autoclenz bounced back into the black in 2009 with a profit before tax of £0.48m, compared to a loss of £0.25m in 2008. The rebound was achieved despite sales sliding to £24.0m from £28.0m the year before. Net debt came down to £1.5m from £2.7m at the end of 2008.'At this early stage of 2010 our target is to at least maintain last year's level of profitability and stem some of the revenue declines we have seen in the past two years,' said chairman James Leek.Ceramic tableware maker Churchill China saw pre-tax profit slide to £2.1m from £3.4m, largely as a result of a lower return on its cash pile. Turnover was virtually flat at £41.7m.'The second half showed a pronounced improvement in operating profitability and this positive trend is continuing,' said Jonathan Sparey, chairman of Churchill China.Real-time 3D and 2D x-ray imaging specialist Image Scan saw its share price shoot up on Thursday as it said revenue to the end of March is expected to be comfortably above the preceding year's levels, as interest in its products from the security sector heats up. Mobile phone payments provider Monitise has signed a new contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to continue providing mobile financial services to RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank.The company added that revenue growth this year remains in line with management forecasts.'In our live territories, we are growing new registered users and revenue well and our conversations with prospective new partners are encouraging. We are very positive about both our global expansion and service range extension strategies,' the company said.Product development software specialist Sopheon fell into the red in 2009 but drew comfort from a profitable fourth quarter.Loss before tax was £1.49m, compared to a pre-tax profit of £0.04m the year before. Revenue eased to £8.26m from £9.30m.'Our current pipeline, coupled with our unique solution set and the continued maturing of our chosen market, continue to give me confidence in our quest to improve shareholder value,' said company chairman Barry Mence. Full year revenue visibility for 2010 currently stands at £4.8m,the company said.Factual content producer Ten Alps expects to post pre-tax profits of around £3.5m in the year to 31 March, up 6% on the £3.3m made last year and in line with market expectations.Revenue is expected to slide to £68m from £80.2m the year before, reflecting the affects of the recession on those businesses exposed to advertising. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation is predicted to dip to £5.4m from £5.9m.'In recent trading, weekly advertising sales run rates have improved within the Communications division, and the Content division has achieved its expected order book for TV production which presents a positive, if early, indication for 2010-11,' the company said.