LONDON (ShareCast) - Pre-paid debit card group Hertford International made its market debut at an 18% premium.

The group, which raised £2m through a placing of shares at 20p each with a number of institutions, was quoted at 23.5p in quiet trading on Christmas Eve.

Hertford’s core business is money transfer via pre-paid debit cards available over the counter in shops or online.

The group is targeting immigrants wishing to send money home to their families. It already has the largest Polish web-site signed up as a reseller and has plans to tap into the Turkish community in Germany as well as the Latin American community in Spain.

Worsted fabric and garment producer Natsun opened 4p above its placing price on its market debut on AIM.

The company recently raised about £6.3m through a placing of shares at 122p each. In early trade in London the shares were quoted at 126p, giving a market capitalisation for the company of about £38m.

“I am delighted we have successfully secured Natsun's AIM IPO with Evolution China, notwithstanding the current tough stock market conditions,” said Song Jianbo, executive chairman.

Evolution Securities is acting as Nominated Adviser to Natsun, and Evolution Securities China is Natsun’s broker.

Integrated technology consulting and venturing organisation Sagentia tended firmer on Christmas Eve on news that TurfTrax, in which it owns an 8.8% stake, is to seek a listing on AIM.

TurfTrax supplies data and data products related to the real-time horse race betting market. The company is seeking to raise about £3m by way of a placing. Newland Stockbrokers and City Financial Associates are acting as broker and Nominated Advisor to the company respectively.

• News Channel