The Morning News Update with Old Mutual, SSP and Audioboom

FTSE 100

Old Mutual (OML) – has taken a 23.3% stake in UAP Holdings Limited, an East and Central African financial services company with a presence in 6 countries, for KES 8.88 billion (USD 97.6 million).

FTSE 250

Restaurant Group (RTN) –  For the 52 weeks ending 28 December, total turnover was up 9.6% on the prior year, and like-for-like sales increased by 2.8%. 

SSP Group (SSPG) – overall trading in the first quarter has been in line with expectations.

Laird (LRD) – Based on trading through the fourth quarter is confident that expectations for 2014 remain on track.

Small caps

H&T Group (HAT) – expects full year profit before tax to be in line with current market consensus expectations.

ServicePower Technologies (SVR) –  net loss is expected to be £0.9 million for 2014 from a profit of £0.2 million in 2013.

Naibu Global (NBU) – have requested suspension of its shares pending clarification of its trading position.

Audioboom (BOOM) –  announces a partnership with Nobex Technologies Inc. in the United States to make on-demand and listen-again audio content available to Nobex mobile app users.