The morning news update with Imperial Tobacco, Unite Group and Impellam

FTSE 100

Imperial Tobacco (IMT) – adjusted earnings down by 3% per share at 203.4p for the year to September, dividend up by 10% at 128.1p per share.

Associated British Foods (ABF) – Adjusted profit before tax up by 2% at £1,105 million in the 52 weeks to 13th September, dividend up by 6% at 34p per share.

Persimmon (PSN) – continues to experience good forward reservation interest and has c. £696 million of forward sales reserved beyond 2014, an increase of 12% on the same point last year.

FTSE 250

Unite Group (UTG) – On target to deliver like-for-like rental growth of at least 3% for the full year.

Greene King (GNK) – the Boards of Greene King and Spirit Pub Company have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer in which Greene King will acquire Spirit .

Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) – trading performance has been broadly in line with expectations, with good levels of overall organic revenue growth consistent with the rate delivered during the first six months of the year. 

Small caps

K3 Business Technology (KBT) – has been accredited with membership of Microsoft’s Global Independent Software Vendor programme. 

DP Poland (DPP) – announces the sale and sub-franchising of 5 corporately managed stores in Warsaw.

Adept Telecom (ADT) – its largest customer has renewed their contract for another 3 years. The contract value is anticipated to be around £2.2 million.

Impellam (IPEL) – acquires independent specialist IT recruitment business Lorien for £22.3 million. Also announced £15 million placing

Polo Resources (POL) – invests up to an additional A$3 million in Celamin Holdings.