The morning news update with Hammerson, Dignity and InternetQ

FTSE 100

Hammerson (HMSO) – Consumer and occupier market conditions are improving in prime UK retail whilst remaining subdued but stable in France.

Aviva (AV.) – announces the closing of the initial public offering of ordinary shares of its joint venture AvivaSA Emeklilik ve Hayat. The company is expected to be listed as “AVISA” on Borsa İstanbul from 13th November 2014.

FTSE 250

Dignity (DTY) – revenues up by 3% at £196.4 million in the 39 weeks to September, underlying operating profits up by 6.3% at £64 million.

Hiscox (HSX) – Gross written premiums were broadly stable at £1,361.3 million for the nine months to September.

Redrow (RDW) – private order book remains strong and in total is up 10% year on year at £465 million, with the regional order book up 25%.

Lonmin (LMI) – posts an underlying profit before tax of $46 million for the year to September.

Small caps

Utilitywise (UTW) – Inspirit Energy announces a testing and field trial agreement with Utilitywise, covering testing of the Inspirit Energy mCHP appliance in several high-profile installation sites in the UK.

Distil (DIS) – has secured new listings across a wide number of distribution points in the UK supported by promotional activity in the run up to Christmas, including with Mitchell & Butlers’ Castle Pub estate and food and drinks wholesaler Booker Group.

InternetQ (INTQ) – Profit before tax (adjusted) up by 26% to €7.6 million in the none months to September.

Industrial Multi Property Trust (IMPT) – adjusted net asset value was 234p per share as at 30th September, up from 223p as at 30th June.

Grafenia (GRA) – pre-tax profits up by 19.4% at £0.37 million in the six months to September, dividend up by 51.5% at 0.5p per share.

Polo Resources (POL) – has entered into a subscription agreement with Weatherly International for a total cash consideration of c. £902,000.