The morning news update with Berkeley Group, Songbird Estates and Outsourcery

FTSE 100

None reporting

FTSE 250

Interserve (IRV) – has acquired the Employment & Skills Group, a UK-based provider of vocational training, skills and employability services, from Ares Capital for a cash consideration of £25 million.

Berkeley Group (BKG) – pre-tax profits up by 80% at £304.9 millino for the six months to October. Announces interim dividend of 90p per share.

Ophir Energy (OPHR) – has signed a Production Sharing Contract with the Myanmar Ministry of Energy which finalises the award of Block AD-03 offshore Myanmar.

Small caps

Songbird Estates (SBD) – says that the 350p per share bid from Qatar Investment Authority does nt reflect the full value of the company.

Microgen (MCGN) – acquires of Unity Software, a Jersey-based provider of wealth management software for the offshore finance industry. The consideration for the acquisition is £1.3 million payable in cash on completion, with adjustment for excess cash in the business at completion.

Chesnara (CSN) – necessary regulatory approvals from the PRA and FCA for John Deane to become CEO have been received.

Outsourcery (OUT) – has secured a significant contract win with a new FTSE100 end-customer, expected to deliver £1.1 million of revenue over the initial three-year period.

Belvoir Lettings (BLV) – announces the acquisition of the trade of Lettings @ Victoria Mills, a lettings agency with a portfolio of 154 managed properties in Shipley, West Yorkshire. This is Belvoir’s sixth acquisition during 2014.