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Small Cap News: Advanced Computer Software, IQ Holdings, NetPlay TV, SeaEnergy, Rurelec, Synchronica

Published: 00:35 03 Oct 2010 AEST

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Small caps did slightly better than the majors this week with the FTSE AIM 100 climbing 0.25%, while the FTSE AIM All-Share indexrose marginally.

The FTSE 100 posted a 0.1% loss this week.

Advanced Computer Software (LON: ASW) is on the acquisition trail again. It is buying CareSys Software, a provider of software and IT services for patient care, for £2.6 million in cash. The purchase will be immediately earnings enhancing, the company said. A recent trading update revealed, the business remains resilient and on course to beat profit forecasts.

SeaEnergy’s (LON:SEA) wind power business is worth more than the group’s market value on London’s AIM market, according to Arbuthnot Securities clean-tech analyst Gurpreet Gurjral. Earlier in the week, the company report encouraging interest for its subsidiary SERL and said much would be determined by the outcome of its sale. The company simultaneously announced the extension of its existing loan facilities.

Shares in Hardide (LON:HDD) soared after the surface engineering technology company said it expects its full year revenues to exceed management’s expectations.

IQ Holdings (LON:IQH) shares jumped after it announced plans to acquire geo-data specialist 1Spatial Group, through a reverse takeover.

Cyprotex’s (LON:CRX) new facility expands the company’s capabilities with the addition of breakthrough technology in the field of in vitro in vitro toxicity testing.

Asterand (LSE:ATD) shares soared after it revealed a major new contract for its tissue supply business. The five-year deal is worth up to US$24.3 million, with an initial US$5.4 million expected over the first 17 months.

Interactive gaming company NetPlay TV (LON:NPT) reported an underlying improvement in profitability, but admitted its collaboration with ITV had not worked out the way envisaged.

Livestock services provider National Milk Records PLC (PLUS:NMR) has agreed to form a 50-50 joint venture with Progressive Genetics, a farming cooperative in Ireland, to market and utilise NMR's proprietary payment testing business in Ireland.

Rurelec (LON:RUR) is ready for a ‘more encouraging’ second half, after reporting a £17.4 million profit for the first six months of the year - lifted by a one-off gain in the period.

SmartFOCUS (LON:STF)is confident it will continue its profitable growth for the remainder of 2010 and beyond, says chief executive Chris Underhill in the group's first half results statement. In the first six months of the year the company doubled pretax profit. Earlier this week, the company announced a new contract from a major travel company. Its marketing and database software will be deployed by escorted tour operator Page & Moy Travel Group, which it said would “increase customer insight and targeting for enhanced marketing performance focused on delivering stronger campaigns”.

Synchronica (LON:SYNC) has completed an order from a major phone manufacturer for certification and licensing of its instant messaging software, which will now be pre-installed on six models of mobile handsets. The initial order is worth US$48,000.

TyraTech (LON:TYR), the AIM-listed maker of eco-friendly pesticides, said potentially transformational projects with Terminix of the US and food giant Kraft are progressing well. The update was given alongside the company’s interim results, which showed that operating expenses had been cut by 45 per cent in the period.

Developer of emission reductions and clean energy projects Camco International (LON:CAO) has formed a joint venture with the Malaysian government’s investment arm Khazanah Nasional. The companies aim to develop the JV into the leading player in the emissions to energy market in the region.

Equatorial Palm Oil (LON:PAL) has appointed Shankar Varadharajan, a representative of its strategic partner the Siva Group as non-executive director. Siva, a major Indian conglomerate, is supporting the company’s expansion in Liberia.

Australian Strategic Materials signs US$600 million LoI

Rowena Smith, CEO and managing director of Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX:ASM, OTC:ASMMF), joins Jonathan Jackson in the Proactive studio to discuss the company’ s Dubbo Project, in Central West New South Wales. This project aims to extract and process critical minerals and rare earth...

13 hours, 5 minutes ago