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A first contract win for i-design’s (IDG) 'Joono' software sent shares in the group up 3.5p to 42p. Launched in early June 2011, the product enables financial institutions and retailers to deliver personalised marketing to customers. The multi-year contract with Cardtronics Inc. will allow for the deployment of the software onto 37,000 ATMs across the UK and US

The roll out ddate delay killed this SP today otherwise you would have seen an excellent rise. One to BUY at this level and forget about.

Bglobal (BGBL) swung to an annual profit, boosted by more than doubled revenues, but warned that the rollout of smart metering by the UK government could be delayed until at least 2015. The UK’s leading provider of smart energy solutions registered a maiden adjusted pre-tax profit of 3.81 million pounds for the 12-months ended 31st March 2011, compared to a loss of 0.47 million pounds in the previous year, as revenue climbed to 28.99 million pounds. Bglobal shares added 0.25p to 14.5p.

Nice rise today folks. Im not in to take advantage but I have diaried this to look again Oct / Nov- well played!

Innovative wireless communications technology firm Toumaz (TMZ) announced that their latest product, the Sensium disposable digital plaster, has received pre-market notification approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The group has established a joint venture with California Capital Equity to continue the development of the plaster, and hopes the initial launch of the product in hospitals across the US will take place before the end of 2011. The shares flew 1.25p to 8p.

Halma (HLMA) has bought Avo Photonics for an initial cash consideration of 9 million dollars (5.6 million pounds) in order to give its "businesses access to more advanced technologies and manufacturing processes." The miniaturised photonic components manufacturer, which reported 1 million dollars (0.63 million pounds) in pre-tax profits for 2010, will join Halma's existing photonics businesses in the health and analysis sector. The shares fell 9.7p to 417p.

Andrew Williams, Halma's Chief Executive, commented: "Avo recently completed a highly successful collaboration project with Halma's major Photonics business, Ocean Optics, and their addition to the Group will give all of our Photonics businesses access to more advanced technologies and manufacturing processes. Expanding their customer base both inside and outside Halma offers Avo exciting growth opportunities."

ACQUISITION OF AVO PHOTONICS, INC Halma, the leading safety, health and sensor technology group, announces the acquisition of Avo Photonics, Inc ('Avo') on 8 July 2011 from Blaine Hobson, Whitecap Partners, other shareholders and employees for an initial cash consideration of $9.0 million (£5.6 million). Avo, based in Pennsylvania, USA, designs and manufactures advanced, miniaturised photonic components and subsystems for OEM customers serving a wide range of end-markets. Avo will join Halma's Photonics businesses in the Health and Analysis sector. Avo's senior management will stay with the company after completion. For the calendar year 2010, Avo had unaudited revenues of $5.7 million (£3.6 million) and profit before tax of $1.0 million (£0.6 million). The acquisition, which is immediately earnings enhancing, has been funded from Halma's existing cash and debt facilities. Contingent consideration of up to $11.0 million (£6.9 million) is payable to the vendors, based on the growth in profit before tax for the period ending March 2012.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201107110925101235K

In order to boost its market share in the UK and further improve its performance marketing and digital capabilities, Aegis (AGS) has acquired a controlling share in MediaVest for up to a maximum of 95 million pounds. The marketing communication company added that it will incorporate the media planning agency into its existing Carat and iProspect subsidiaries. The shares declined 3.7p to 154.5p

Jerry Buhlmann, Chief Executive of Aegis said: "Our strategic priority at Aegis Media is to continue to develop and implement best in class digital and media solutions for our clients, and we have made clear that we would be looking at strategic acquisitions that provide scale, infill and innovation. This acquisition does just that, by improving our market share in the UK and further increasing our performance marketing and digital capabilities." Rob Horler, CEO, Aegis Media, UK, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to acquire MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. The acquisition will boost our position in the market but more importantly it is a business that will help accelerate the development of both Carat and iProspect through its market leading regional capabilities and specialist digital expertise. David, Andy and the whole MediaVest Manchester team have built a great business over the past few years and they will be a great addition to our Group." Andy Jeal, Managing Partner of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. said: "We are really excited about becoming part of Aegis Media, and operating as brands with the strength of Carat and iProspect. As part of Aegis Media, we feel perfectly placed to continue to grow our business through planning and implementing market leading, media-neutral solutions for our clients which deliver demonstrable return on investment."

Acquisition strengthens Aegis Media's market position in the UK - Aegis Group plc ("Aegis"), the marketing communications and market research group, today announces that it has acquired an initial 75% of the share capital of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd., the UK-based media planning and buying agency. The remaining 25% of the share capital of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. is subject to a put and call option arrangement exercisable from 2016. MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. is a leading, independent media communications agency with expertise in media planning and buying and enhanced capability in performance marketing and digital solutions. MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd.'s clients nationwide include Holland and Barrett, JD Williams, Barratt Developments and Thomas Cook and it operates from offices in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. will become part of Aegis Media's Carat and iProspect networks and will immediately operate under the Carat and iProspect brand names. The acquisition will be earnings accretive for Aegis and is expected to enhance the return on invested capital in its first full year in the Aegis Group. The total consideration for 100% of the share capital of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. will be up to a maximum of £95 million, subject to satisfaction of earn-out criteria based on profits over the period of 2011 to 2016. An initial amount of £27 million was paid on completion and this payment includes consideration for the value of certain tangible assets, comprised mostly of working capital. All consideration payments will be satisfied in cash. The vendors included Andy Jeal and Dave Lucas, who owned approximately 77% of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd., together with other employee minority shareholders. Andy Jeal and Dave Lucas, the existing and future Managing Partners of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd., earlier re-acquired 19.9% of the share capital of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. from Starcom MediaVest Group UK (SMG), and relinquished their license to the MediaVest name. SMG had been shareholders in MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. since 1995. The transaction has no impact on SMG's UK business, MediaVest UK, which is based in London. The unaudited profit before tax of MediaVest (Manchester) Ltd. for the year ended 28 February 2011 was £7.4 million and the value of the gross assets at that time was £49.6million.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201107110700091001K

May Gurney Integrated Services (MAYG) retained a "buy" recommendation from Brewin Dolphin with a target price of 338p. The support services provider had a strong start to the year as a result of increased government funding and future prospects are bright, says the broker, such as being the preferred bidder for a 96 million pound, seven year street maintenance contract. Furthermore, Brewin approves of the companies ability to diversify and reduce its dependence on the public sector, which is expected to increase spending cuts. Shares in May Gurney descended 4p to 280p.

Evolution Securities issued a "buy" rating for Kewill (KWL) with a target price of 135p. The broker praised the business model and the software company's strong cash generating ability, with free cash flows averaging 10% of sales. Evolution also notes that the price-to-earnings ratio is at a 26% discount to the European software sector average. The shares slipped 1.25p to 99.75p.

Seymour Pierce maintained its "buy" recommendation for Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS) with a target price of 90p, following results of two clinical studies demonstrating the efficiency of the wound dressing manufacturer's sliver alginate dressings against bacteria. The broker also noted that shares in the company are down 21% since the end of March and that this represents a significant opportunity for investors. The shares crept back 0.5p to 75p.

Xanth - well played - 38% is good - I would take it any day

Disgruntled Cooper Industries threatens to drop Laird bid Date: Monday 11 Jul 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares of Laird plunged 7% after U.S. based Cooper Industries threatened to walk away from merger talks at a time when the British company's investors were expecting a sweetened offer. Cooper said Laird has refused to allow it access to conduct due diligence despite Cooper's willingness to consider a higher bid if the due diligence supported a higher valuation. Laird makes mobile-phone electronic shields. Cooper noted that Laird's current share price is driven by market expectations of an offer for the company rather than by the fundamental value of Laird. Shares of Laird have jumped nearly 50% since the takeover announcement on June 16. Also, Cooper highlighted its concerns regarding the closure of Laird’s handset antennae business, the impact this will have on the wider group and the possible resultant negative impact on the value of the Laird business. However, the US electrical products maker said it continues to believe “there would be strategic merit in it acquiring Laird.” Laird was trading down 7.4% at 188.9p in London.

Murdoch asks for BSkyB bid to be referred Date: Monday 11 Jul 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Media conglomerate News Corporation has effectively asked for its mooted bid for British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) to be referred to the Competition Commission by withdrawing plans to spin-off Sky News should it gain full control of the pay-TV operator, The move follows the revelation that the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has written to media watchdog Ofcom to see whether its view of the takeover has changed in view of the recent developments, which included the abrupt closure of News Corporation's News of the World, the newspaper at the heart of phone hacking allegations. "I would be grateful if you could indicate whether this development (and/or the events surrounding it) gives you any additional concerns in respect of plurality over and above those raised in your initial report to me on this matter received on 31 December 2010," Hunt's letter to Ofcom asked. Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and also Deputy Prime Minister, had suggested earlier on Monday that Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, should "do the right thing" and reconsider the bid. It appears that Murdoch has taken that advice, though not necessarily in the way that Clegg expected. The plan to spin-off Sky News and establish it as an independent entity should News Corporation gain full control of BSkyB was one of the key concessions News Corporation was asked to make in order to make its bid for BSkyB more palatable to critics concerned that the Murdoch already controls too much of the UK media. Shares in the FTSE 100 stock were down 54p at 596p shortly before the close of trade on Monday.

Investec ups Northumbrian Water target to 465p from 334p;