The morning news update with Melrose Industries, BTG, Coms and Quindell

FTSE 100

Melrose Industries (MRO) – has signed an agreement for the disposal of Bridon to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The total consideration of £365 million on a debt and cash free basis is payable in cash on completion subject to customary adjustments.

Smith & Nephew (SN.) – top-line results from a Phase 3 study of HP802-247, a living cell spray-on therapy designed to work with the body’s own cells to stimulate healing of venous leg ulcers, did not meet the primary endpoint, namely a statistically significant improvement in healing over placebo, in a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in North America. 

FTSE 250

Essentra (ESNT) – In the third quarter of 2014, revenue increased 8% versus Q3 2013 at constant exchange rates: on a like-for-like basis growth was +7%.

Synergy Health (SYR) – Underlying trading for the six months to 28 September 2014 was up 7.4% on a constant currency basis with a particularly strong performance from Applied Sterilisation Technologies. Reported revenues were £197.6 million (2013: £192.1 million), up by 2.8%.

BTG (BTG) – will begin selling its drug-eluting bead and embolisation products, DC Bead® and Bead Block®, directly to customers in 11 European countries from 1 April 2015.

Small caps

NetDimensions (NETD) – both revenue and invoiced sales for the quarter to September were substantially higher than in the comparative period for the prior year.

Coms (COMS) – encouraging trading stated on 11 July has continued and re-iterates its confidence of meeting market expectations for the current financial year.

Amino Technologies (AMO) – expects to report revenue for the year ended 30 November 2014 in line with market expectations. However, the Company expects profit before tax to be ahead of market expectations.

Quindell (QPP) – Adjusted operating cash flow for Q3 significantly ahead of expectations and guidance with c.£9.4m inflow compared to original guidance of breakeven.

YouGov (YOU) – pre-tax profits up by 12% at £7.7 million in the year to July.