LONDON (ShareCast) - Capital Pub Company said to date it is performing to budget and although it is mindful of the economic climate, it is optimistic further progress should be made in the current year.

“Our estate of high quality predominantly freehold pubs continues to trade well in a London market that has remained resilient,” it said.

Advanced Medical Solutions’ silver anti-microbial wound gel product can now be marketed in the US after receiving 510(k) approval from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The firm’s wound gel contains silver, which is widely recognised as an effective anti-microbial agent for the control of infection from a wide range of micro-organisms.

Non-executive directors Edric Ackland-Snow and Stephen Lai Sau-Shue are to step down from the board of biometrics and security solutions provider RCG Holdings with immediate effect. Suitably qualified replacements are being sought.

Pre-tax losses narrowed to £4.8m from £5.5m in the first half at optical fibre-based laser group SPI Lasers thanks to cost reductions and DTI funding for several R&D projects.

The company, which agreed a takeover worth 40p a share with German group Trumpf earlier this week, saw turnover rise slightly to £6.1m from £5.9m.

Entrepreneur-focused financial advisor Tenon reported a rise in profits and revenue in the year to June 30, saying it was helped by companies seeking quality advice to help deal with difficult economic conditions.

Pre-tax profits rose to £12.4m from £12.3m as revenues jumped to £160m from £136m.

“Tenon has provided growth consistently, through its dedication to the entrepreneurial and private business marketplace,” the company said. “At points in the cycle such as those currently being experienced, owner-managed businesses value the best advice to help ensure their continuing success.”

Continued buoyancy in the resources sector helped minerals and metals-focused engineer Bateman Engineering lift revenues and profits.

Bateman, which provides services in areas such as metals, coal and diamonds, saw pre-tax profits in the year to June 30 climb to £23.3m from £21.2m as revenue jumped to £675.4m from £471.1m.

AIM-listed Minco reported a loss for the six months ended 30 June of $378,000, down from $431,000 in the same period in 2007. The main component of the loss is general and administrative expenses, the group said.

Shares in Gulf Keystone weakened as it plugged and abandoned the FEG-1 exploration well on the Hassi Ba Hamou Perimeter. The rig will now move to the fifth well of a six well commitment on the HBH Permit and drill appraisal well HBH-5 on the HBH gas discovery. This well is expected to spud within a month, Gulf added.

Interim profits fell at fish food additive specialist Kiotech as rising raw material prices and the impact of the weak dollar took their toll. Pre-tax profits fell to £208,000, from £252,000 on sales of £2.69m, down from £2.81m. “There are some signs that the upward pressure on input costs may be abating but we remain cautious,” said chairman Richard Rose.

Mobile email software specialist Synchronica has received an order for US$730,000 from MTS, the largest mobile operator in Russia and the CIS. MTS was acquired as a customer through the all share purchase of Axis Mobile.

Kirkland Lake Gold has appointed Mark Tessier as Vice President of Operations for its mining operations in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Tessier has over 25 years experience in underground mining in various ascending positions, with 7 years overseeing the underground mine expansion project and subsequent underground mine operations at Goldcorp's Red Lake Mine between 1999 and 2006, Kirkland said.

Cancer treatment company ValiRx saw pre-tax losses widen to £528,341 in the six month ended 30 June compared with a loss of £411,073 last time on higher research & development and administrative expenses. The group generated no revenues in the period.

Investment company LMS Capital posted a rise in half year pre-tax profits to £9.03m from £6.01m and said it is well placed to take advantage of new investment opportunities.

Department store Beale said like-for-like sales for the 43 weeks to 30 August 2008 were 6% lower than last year, which showed an in improving trend from the first 26 weeks when like-for-like sales fell 6.4%.

The group said this shows an improving trend from the first 26 weeks of the financial year when like for like sales fell by 6.4%. Gross sales for the 43 weeks were 14.8% below those in the previous year.

• News Channel