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The firm added: "The group has made a positive start to H2, with July and August showing strong year-on-year growth in revenues, EBITDA and operational metrics in line with expectations. We have significant visibility over full year revenues, with in excess of £131m already contracted, and remain confident that we will deliver strong full year revenue and EBITDA growth in line with the board's expectations. We will continue to invest in our core products to ensure they can be accessed across multiple platforms and to increase our international reach." Closing cash was £34.5m (H1 2011: £78.4m), while closing debt was £9.7m (H1 2011: £15.2m). Net funds at the period end were £24.8m (H1 2011: £63.2m). No dividend has been proposed as the firm remains in its current growth phase.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) leapt from £0.063m to £7.2m. Basic earnings per share came in at 1.2p compared to a loss of 1p per share the same half the previous year. The group expects both revenues and adjusted EBITDA to increase in the second half, as a result of the inclusion of six months of the RunningBall and Mackolik services, as well as continued improvement in display and video advertising sales across the group's network, particularly in Japan and US. During the second half the company plans to continue to invest in products, including new editions of Goal.com, in new platforms and in expanding its international presence. Oliver Slipper, joint Chief Executive Officer said: "We are pleased to be able to report another strong operational and financial performance today, which reflects the successful execution of our growth strategy. We have reported substantial increases in revenues and earnings whilst significantly expanding our rights portfolio, licensees, video streams and subscriber numbers. We have also delivered significant growth in advertising revenues with this revenue segment now representing 22% of the group's total revenues compared to 11% in the same period last year."

Digital sports media company Perform Group swung to a profit for the six months ended June 30th after turnover got a boost from increased licence fees from the Watch and Bet service, strong growth in video and display advertising sales, and incremental revenue from the RunningBall and Spox services. Pre-tax profit came in at £3.4m, up from a loss £2.2m in the same period last year, on revenues of £67.4m, compared with £45.1m previously. Excluding RunningBall and Spox, which generated £1.2m and £3.2m in revenue respectively, revenues climbed 40% year-on-year. The increase in earnings was slightly offset by an increase in the cost of sales, from £24.1m to £33.2m, and a rise in administrative expenses, from £22.98m to £30.57m. The gross margin increased from 46% to 51% as revenues grew and the firm's operating leverage delivered.

Revenue reduced to £24.1m (H1 2011: £28.3m) in the Mediterranean and North Africa region, largely driven by reduced activity levels in Kazakhstan. A business review is currently being conducted on Far East/Pacific Rim operations, where a revenue increase of 7.2% to £114.3m (H1 2011: £104.4m) was more than offset by the reduction in the adjusted earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) margin to 2.8% (H1 2011: 8.7%), resulting in a decrease in adjusted EBITA to £3.2m (H1 2011: £9.1m). At the period end the company has an order book of £920m (H1 2011: £830m). Joe Oatley, Chief Executive of Cape said: "In my first few weeks at Cape I have focused on gaining a rapid understanding of our businesses around the world. Whilst this is clearly a challenging period for the Group, I am pleased to say that, having carried out an initial review of all of our operations, I continue to believe that the core of the business is fundamentally strong. Outside the Far East/Pacific Rim Region and the Arzew project in Algeria, the group's operations are performing in line with expectations. "Our near-term focus is on addressing the operational issues in Australia and ensuring that we have the foundations in place around the group to deliver consistent long-term growth in earnings. The group's substantial order book provides good near-term visibility and we remain confident of achieving the recently revised expectations for the current financial year."

Shares in Cape leapt over 20 per cent on Thursday morning after the firm delivered revenue growth of 9.8 per cent and maintained its dividend payment at 4.5p for the first half of 2012. At the start of August the firm had warned investors that it was unlikely to meet expectations in 2012 after trading - and consequently operating margins - in Australia deteriorated sharply in the second quarter, something which has now become a key area of focus for the group. The company also paid a £14m one-off charge in respect of losses arising from the Arzew project in Algeria. Revenue for the period came in at £371.6m, from £335.0m the same period the previous year, while profit before tax totalled £9.9m, down from £28.6m in the first half of previous year. Basic earnings per share plunged 67% from 17.9p to 5.9p. The UK region, which is Cape's largest business and accounts for 39.8% of group revenue, made good progress in executing the restructuring plan put in place in the fourth quarter of 2011 and delivered a solid first half performance. Excluding acquisitions, revenue from the UK rose 9.0% to a record £148m, driven by additional offshore maintenance work for North Sea operators. As expected, the Gulf/Middle East Region, which accounts for 20.3% of group revenue, recorded its first revenue growth (at 12.4%) since 2009, but operating margins were at lower levels reflecting the region's exposure to the construction support services cycle.

"The first six months of 2012 have seen good trading across the majority of business units within the enlarged group, with Hunting's core activities reporting a strong result and a satisfactory performance from the new businesses acquired in 2011," Proctor said. "Across the company, many of our facilities have orders extending into the final quarter of 2012. Therefore, subject to sustained drilling levels and adequate commodity prices, Hunting is well positioned to deliver a further year of strong growth." Net debt fell to £191.4m (31 December 2011: £218.4m

International energy services group Hunting saw revenue leap on the back of strong momentum in shale related drilling activity during the half year (H1) to the end of June. Revenue increased 62% to £406.9m (H1 2011: £251.3m), while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation more than doubled to £78.4m (H1 2011: £35.5m). Reported profit from operations came in at £41.0m (H1 2011: £22.1m), with diluted earnings per share of 18.5p, up from 10.5p the same period the previous year. Revenue was also boosted by the contribution from the four acquisitions completed in the second half of 2011. The interim dividend was increased from 4.0p to 4.5p. Dennis Proctor, Chief Executive, said the company's core businesses benefited from strong momentum in shale related drilling activity and in the international offshore arena, as well as the recovering Gulf of Mexico. The group's 2011 acquisitions are said to be performing well and starting to develop cross selling opportunities.

Engineering and construction group Kentz saw profits jump in the first half as overall demand remained strong and its backlog of work grew. Profit before tax increased by 35.8% to $51.2m on revenue that was up 9.4% on 2011 to $703.7m. A strong performance in the Americas - particularly Canada - and Australasia offset falls in revenue in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. The firm said it remained confident that it could deliver double digit earnings growth across the full year. It also reported its backlog of work was $2.52bn as of the end of June, compared to $1.57bn the year before. By the end of July, this had increased to $2,54bn, reflecting further new awards of numerous small and medium sized contracts and significant natural growth from existing contracts in 2012 so far, Kentz said. Earnings per share were up 4.5% to 28.07c and the positive figures prompted the firm to push up its interim dividend by 10% to 5.5c a share. "We have achieved increases in revenue, profits and cash flow generated during the period and I am confident that we can deliver full year results in line with market expectations," said Chief Executive Christian Brown. "Despite the continuing uncertainty in the global economy, demand for our diversified services remains strong, with our backlog and solid pipeline of prospects leaving us well positioned to deliver future growth," he said.

Withers said that despite uncertainty surrounding the future of European and US regulation, the company could take advantage of changes in the online gaming market through further expansion of its joint ventures and organic growth strategy. Gross income rose 86% to €176.5m, comprising total revenues and Playtech's share of profit from its associate income from its 29% stake in William Hill Online. Casino revenues increased 36% to €71.5m, mainly driven by its live casino product. The company also highlighted the outperformance by PTTS, which it bought in July 2011, which meant an accelerated payment of the contingent consideration of €140m.

Gambling software specialist Playtech reported higher earnings than expected on strong demand for online bingo products and casino games. The company, which creates online software platforms for the like of Paddy Power and Gala, posted adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of €91.2m. This was ahead of the €88m that analysts had been expecting and prompted the company to offer a dividend of 7.8c a share. Non-executive Chairman, Roger Withers, said Playtech's multi-channel approach strengthened its market leading position. "In the first half of the year we recognised the growing importance of the social gaming sector and positioned ourselves to penetrate the market through innovative software licensing arrangements," he said. Withers said that despite uncertainty surrounding the future of European and US regulation, the company could take advantage of changes in the online gaming market t

French supermarket giant Carrefour, the second largest retailer in the world by sales, reported a smaller than expected decline in first-half profit. Second quarter sales in Asia (+14.0%) and Latin America (+2.7%) helped offset considerable weakness in Europe, especially in peripheral countries such as Italy and Spain where they dropped 5.5% and 5.3%, respectively. Recurring operating income for the first six months of the year came in at €796m, above the €705m estimate. After having cut guidance five times in just two years, the worlds's second largest retailer said this time that it feels "comfortable" with consensus estimates for 2012. Chief executive Georges Plasset assured investors that "the past is behind us, we need to look ahead".

Shares of Greek state-controlled lender Hellenic Postbank have been suspended from trading after suffering a 29 per cent loss on Thursday morning. The shares took a hit after Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said yesterday that the bank has been judged unviable in reference to a report by the Greek central bank and its bank bailout fund. The Greek government holds a 44% stake of the bank, which officials say is on the country's privatisation list, according to Reuters. Hellenic Postbank was heavily invested in Greek government bonds but its value was mostly wiped out after a Greek debt restructuring was negotiated with private investors. With Greece already under the relms of a full-scale international bailout, its banking sector has not been as prominently placed on the headlines as the Spanish banking crisis. However, Greece has already been transferring or winding down several banks that are deemed non-viable. For those deemed viable, €50bn has been set aside as part of the bailout in order to replenish their capital. Stournaras said that the final terms of viable bank recapitalisations would be unveiled by the end of September.

At the period end the group balance sheet had gross debt of $104.5m (excluding capitalised financing costs) and cash of $33.6m, resulting in net debt of $70.9m. New CFO Andrew Martinez, who joined the firm in October 2011, has been instrumental in successfully implementing a number of key financial reforms within the group over the past six months.

John Campion, Chief Executive Officer, said: APR Energy has continued to make good progress during the first half of 2012... We have significantly improved EBITDA margins, reflecting the discipline with which we have taken on new business and improvements in our operational structure and mobilisation technologies. Underlying revenue in the second half of the year will be lower than the first half due to early closure on one Japanese site and contractual project delays, nevertheless, we currently anticipate beating consensus net income. "We see 2012 as an important year of investment for the future growth of APR Energy. The longer term key growth drivers of the temporary power business remain strong. With the Hub strategy now largely completed, today we are announcing an expansion in our planned fleet investment to $290-310 million for 2012. The additional expenditure will be focused on our dual-fuel technologies reflecting confidence in the natural gas market for which we feel APR Energy is uniquely positioned." The firm is carrying out planned fleet investment of $290-310m for 2012 (previous guidance $230-260m), saying it believes the prospects for natural gas and dual fuel turbine temporary power continue to improve. During the first half, capital expenditure in the fleet was $147.1m in a mix of diesel engines and dual-fuel turbines.

APR Energy, the temporary power specialist, has posted a significant leap in reported revenue for the six months ended June 30th as it announced the departure of the Finance Director. Rich Greene, who will leave at the end of September, has been replaced by the company's Vice President of Finance, Andrew Martinez. Losses for the period came in significantly lower at $32.3m (2011 H1: loss of $1.87m) on revenues of $155m compared to $10.9m the same period the previous year, primarily driven by new contract wins that went into operation in late 2011 and early 2012. Earnings per share on a pro forma basis rose from 12.79 cents to 59.81 cents, although on a reported basis narrowed from a loss of 75.34 cents to a loss of 8.82 cents. Gross profit on a pro forma basis increased 282% to $75.7m, largely as a result of the Japan TEPCO contract. One of the TEPCO sites was terminated early, and will have a negative impact on second half income, while an extension was signed for the other site until at least March of next year. Return on capital employed (ROCE) increased to 18.2% (31 December 2011: 16.5%, 30 June 2011: 13.2%) despite the significant increase in net operating assets associated with the growth of the business. During the period 344MW of new contracts were awarded, compared to 513MW for the whole of 2011. New contracts worth 25MW and extensions worth 83MW were awarded since the period end, which Peel Hunt said "will disappoint some".

Positive Points: Admiral's price comparison businesses generated pre-tax profit of £8.1 million (£5.0 million - H1 2011), while Confused.com had a solid first half with a profit of £8.4 million (H1 2011 - £8.2 million). The insurer saw an improving theme in the UK, with profits at the division up 9% at £183.3 million, as premium revenues grew faster than claims and costs. The company, which says it insures one in ten cars on Britain's roads, had seen claims trends improve since the fourth quarter of 2011. Admiral, which has operations in Spain, Italy, France and the USA, reported making good progress towards establishing sustainable and profitable businesses outside the UK. The group confirmed that its financial position remained strong, with it adopting cautious investment strategy. It reported no exposure to counterparties in Ireland, Portugal or Greece.

Negative Points: The insurer operates in a highly competitive insurance space. A renewed outbreak of price competition in the UK motor insurance market could affect operating profit margins. The performance of Admiral's international businesses is becoming increasingly important. Failure to transfer the business model into overseas markets could impact on future growth and profitability. The combined loss of the Group's International Car Insurance businesses more than doubled to £8.9 million (H1 2011: £3.2 million). Regulatory interference could have a negative influence on future business development. The Group has exposure to foreign exchange risk through its expanding overseas operations. In May, the Office of Fair Trading sought further investigation into the private car insurance market after finding evidence of some anti-competitive practices. Car insurers had pushed up premiums for drivers. An outcome from the OFT is expected in October 2012.

Financial Highlights: Admiral reported a 7% rise in pre-tax profits to £171.8 million (from £160.6 million a year earlier). Group vehicle count increased 11% to 3.50 million from 3.15 million at 30 June 2011. Combined losses within the group’s overseas operations more than doubled to £8.9 million. The Board is recommending an interim dividend payment of 45.1 pence per share, an increase of 15%.

Half year results: Admiral hikes dividend as profits advance. Admiral Group Plc declared it is on track to meet its full-year targets after the insurer posted first-half profits that exceeded analyst expectations and increased its interim dividend 15% to 45.1p. Profit before tax at £171.8 million was an increase of 7% when compared to the first half of 2011. Turnover rose 6% to £1.17 billion. Admiral revealed an improving picture in the UK, with profits at that division up 9% at £183.3 million as premium revenues grew faster than claims and costs while the insurers price comparison businesses generated pre-tax profits of £8.1 million. Elsewhere, the group's international car insurance business continues to lose money with losses widening to £8.9 million from £3.2 million in 2011, reflecting investment in further growth in Italy and a significant increase in premium and vehicles in the US.

Company overview Admiral was set up in 1993 as a direct writer of UK personal motor insurance. It has four brands (Admiral, Diamond, Bell and Elephant) and is now the third largest in the market with a leading position for business introduced on the internet. The group has also developed the market leading internet aggregator in the motor insurance space (Confused.com). Admiral floated on the London Stock Exchange on 23rd September 2004 and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.