Small caps round-up: Asterand, Datatec, Futuragene...

Date: Thursday 13 May 2010

Trading at human tissue provider Asterand was slower than expected at the start of the 2010, with its core tissue supply business contracting year-on-year.

Broker Daniel Stewart says the company continues to face significant headwinds from an industry in transition. Contract research organisations are experiencing softer market demand in preclinical services, as pharmaceutical clients reprioritise their drug development pipelines and restructure their operations.

It has downgraded revenue forecasts by 18% in 2010 and 21% in 2011.

IT supplies and services company Datatec has continued its recent surge as second half revenue and profit improved over the first half and the second half of the previous year.

“We are actively reviewing a number of strategic initiatives in Asia and Latin America, and in particular China and Brazil, which we see as key market opportunities for the group,” said boss Jens Montanana.

Plant genetic research company Futuragene has accepted a 90p-a-share cash offer from Brazilian pulp and paper products firm Suzano Papel e Celulose worth £59.2m.

Losses increased to £2.19m in 2009 from £1.56m a year earlier, the firm said in a separate statement.

Revenue at shipping and transport firm Irish Continental eased to €75.7m in the first four months of the year from €76.2m the year before as lower freight revenue offset higher passenger and car revenue.

Planet Payment has delivered “solid” first quarter results, with revenue up 28% to $13.2m, including a 60% leap in multi-currency revenue to $10m, although hthe net loss grew to $1.53m.

The payment and data processor said volume and revenue in March and April returned to levels achieved at the end of 2009, and believes financial prospects for 2010 remain in line with market expectations.

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