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Date: Thursday 28 Jan 2010

In one of the year’s more off the wall announcements toy maker Character Group has said it is to launch a collection of official Michael Jackson dolls later this year.

Two figures based on the singer, who died in controversial circumstances in June 2009, will be launched in August with another two designs set to be unleashed in time for Christmas.

‘Each figure will be a faithful reproduction of Michael Jackson in some of his most memorable iconic poses,’ the company said.

Each figure of the self-proclaimed ‘King of Pop’ will be numbered and displayed in commemorative packaging.

‘We are delighted to be chosen as UK distributors for this unique toy range,’ said Jon Diver, joint managing director of Character.

‘We are confident that the dolls will be highly sought after by fans and collectors alike, and we look forward to launching the full range in time for Christmas sales this year,’ said the company chairman, Richard King. ‘These sales will be mainly reflected in our 2011 financial year,’ King added.

Football pools company Sportech has agreed to buy SGR, a provider of pari-mutuel wagering services and systems, for up to $83m.

The consideration will comprise an initial consideration of $65m payable at completion, deferred consideration of $10m payable on 30 September 2013 and further deferred consideration of up to $8m which will become payable in the event that SGR meets certain performance targets over the next three years.

Sportech said the initial sum would comprise $32.9m in cash and 39.74 million Sportech shares issued at 50 pence each, giving Scientific Games a 19.99% stake in the enlarged group.

Sportech also plans to raise £29.2m in a fully-underwritten placing and open offer of 58.4 million shares, also priced at 50 pence.

Meanwhile, online gambling software firm Playtech has agreed to subscribe for 19,881,020 of the placed shares, representing 9.99% of the enlarged group, and will have the right to nominate one Non-Executive Director to the board of Sportech.

Shares in battery maker China Shoto got a charge as the company issued a profits guidance upgrade.

Though the company did not include any figures in a brief statement, it did say that profit before tax for 2009 will be ‘materially ahead of market expectations’.

Market consensus prior to the company’s trading announcement was for profit before tax of £12.5m in 2009, up from £11.55m in 2008.

The company’s strong performance was down to being able to correctly read the market or, as the company put it, ‘a good grasp of the linkage scheme between the fluctuating lead price and the sales price to major customers, and effective management of risk.’

The shares have more than trebled in value over the last year.

Wine, beers and spirits retailer Majestic Wine said former New Look boss Phil Wrigley will join the board as a non-executive director and replace Simon Burke as chairman.

The group confirmed that Simon Burke will step down from the chairman's role 6 August following the next AGM.

Wrigley, 57, will join the board in April as a non-executive director and will become chairman following Simon Burke's retirement, majestic confirmed in a company statement.

Wrigley is currently chairman of LXB Retail Properties and until recently he was chairman of New Look having previously been its chief executive.

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