The morning news update with BHP Billiton, Home Retail Group, Supergroup and Fitbug

FTSE 100

BHP Billiton (BLT) – Group production increased by 9% during the period with records achieved for eight operations and four commodities. Remains on track to generate production growth of 16% over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year.

British American Tobacco (BATS) – Revenue declined by 9.6% at current rates of exchange in the nine months to September, cigarette volume from subsidiaries decreased by 1% to 495 billion.

FTSE 250

Home Retail Group (HOME) – reported profit before tax decreased by 5% to £13.5 million in the 26 weeks to August, interim dividend flat at 1p per share.

Galliford Try (GFRD) – has been appointed to two new major office contracts worth a combined £77 million.

UBM (UBM) – while reported results will continue to be affected by currency movements, underlying performance remains on track for the full year with all three business segments expected to deliver in line with the guidance given at the half year.

Playtech (PTEC) – Average daily revenue for the first 21 days of Q4/14 is up over 22% on Q4/13, marginally above the level reported so far this year, and up over 2% on Q3/14. Management is confident of exceeding current market expectations for the full year.

Small caps

Fitbug (FITB) – the US retail chain Target and UK supermarket J Sainsbury will stock Fitbug products in their wearables ranges from November 2014. These represent Fitbug’s largest retail sales agreements worldwide to date.

Bango (BGO) – has signed a global agreement with Samsung Electronics to provide carrier billing, collection and settlement for digital content – such as games, e-books, music and videos – purchased through the Samsung Galaxy Apps app store.

Supergroup (SGP) – Euan Sutherland, currently a non-executive director, appointed as Group Chief Executive with immediate effect. Julian Dunkerton, currently Group Chief Executive will move to the newly created role of Founder and Product and Brand Director.

London Capital Group (LCG) – reports a loss before tax from continuing operations of £10.7 million for the nine months to September after a restructuring provision of £1.5 million and an impairment loss against goodwill of £8 million.

Plus500 (PLUS) – in the nine months to 30 September 2014, revenue was $162.4m, 151% higher than revenue for the comparative period of 2013 and surpassing the total revenue generated in the whole of 2013 by 41%.

Zoo Digital (ZOO) – in results for the first half expects to report revenue of not less than $6.8 million, up by 40% over the comparative period last year.

Cohort (CHRT) – has been awarded an initial contract by BAE Systems to provide its innovative External Communications System (ECS) for the whole of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. The value of this new contract is approximately £23m, covering long lead procurement out to late 2016 and design activities out to March 2015.