LONDON (ShareCast) - CH Bailey shares soared by nearly 50% as it confirmed an offer from Quada (Dockside) to buy the Bute Dry Dock in Cardiff Bay, formerly Bailey's head office. Talks over the terms and timing are progressing, it said.

In-car entertainment specialist Armour's financial performance for the year to August will be significantly ahead of current market expectations, it announced today, with group operating profit not less than £3m against current market forecasts of £2.75m.

Vehicle fleet tracking systems group Minorplanet warned that the return to normal trading conditions has been slower than anticipated, and that May sales were very disappointing.

Israel-based biotech XTL Biopharmaceuticals is raising £9.8m to fund research at its two hepatitis C programmes. New shares will be placed at 17.5p on a 1 for 2 basis. The open offer will incorporate a UK Placing, an Israeli private placement and a US private placement, it said.

European Motor Holdings has sold its last truck dealership, Taunton Trucks, for £646,000 to focus on its car retail arm. EMH is in talks to buy more motor dealerships, as it concentrates on its BMW, Premier Automotive and Volkswagen franchises.

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