SHARES STRONGLY UP/DOWN this week 19/12/05 (Master RSI)

UK small caps open slightly firmer, buoyed by positive corporate news

LONDON (AFX) - UK small caps opened slightly firmer, mirroring the wider
market, with a crop of positive corporate statements providing a prop to
sentiment, dealers said.
By 9.07 am, the FTSE Small Cap index was 1.2 higher at 3,260.1, while the
FTSE 100 stood 18.5 better at 5,566.4.
Bioquell led the way higher, scoring a gain of 12-1/2 pence, at 113-1/2,
after the company revealed it has been successful in a "superbug" eradication
trial in a US hospital.
The company also said clinical trials in the UK of its new wound healing
technology have had good results. The identification of suitable partners to
market this product overseas has started.
Trial results show that Bioquell's technology is highly efficacious at
eliminating C.diff, MRSA and VRE from the hospital environment, including from
sensitive electronic medical equipment.
The preliminary data also suggest that the Bioquell technology may
contribute to a reduction in the number of patients exposed and becoming ill
from C.diff.
British Polythene Industries also made headway, adding 44 to 493 in the wake
of an upbeat pre-close trading statement.
Full year results are likely "materially" to top market expectations despite
difficulties including high energy costs.
BPI said at the half-way mark that certain issues on trading volumes, margin
compression and energy costs had the potential to affect the second half
results.
However, the group, which claims to be Europe's biggest manufacturer of
polythene film, bags and sacks, said today that its business had coped well with
the issues.
Modest progress was seen in Interregnum, 0.50 firmer at 6.62, as the
technology merchant bank disclosed that revenues for the half-year to December
are over 6 mln stg. This represents a 90 pct increase over the same period last
year.
The portfolio has increased in value and Interregnum has achieved
operational profitability, the company added.
Alan Matthews of Seymour Pierce is keeping his full-year forecasts for
Interregnum unchanged at this point, but he is shifting his stance on the stock
to 'outperform' from 'hold'.
Elsewhere, contract news provided the impetus to Offshore Hydrocarbon
Mapping, 6 better at 84.
The company has been awarded a contract by Rockhopper Exploration to
conduct an electromagnetic survey over a number of prospects, including at least
one shallow water prospect in the North Falkland Basin.
This is one of the company's first shallow water contracts since it formally
launched its shallow water Controlled Source Electromagnetic Survey service in
November.
And IQ-Ludorum edged up 0.08 to 2.05 as the internet gaming software and
payments processing company completed the current round of fund raising.
IQ has raised a further 202,000 stg -- for a total of 2.23 mln stg -- via a
placing at a subscription price of 1.35p per ordinary share to Rahn & Bodmer,
the Zurich-based private bank.
Buyers came for Gamingking, 0.13 up at 2.00, following solid half-yearly
numbers, while Panmure Gordon picked up 7, at 202, amid growing speculation that
the company will merge with Numis Corporation, 4 ahead at 268.
A positive trading update gave a lift to business publisher and conference
organiser Metal Bulletin, whose shares climbed 11 pence to 260.
The company said 2005 results would exceed expectations thanks to on-going
strength in commodities markets.
The group said pretax profits would be "moderately ahead" of consensus
forecasts after a better-than-expected performance in the second half of the
year. The market was looking for pretax profits of 10.8 mln stg and revenues in
the region of 56 mln.
Following the update, Bridgewell Securities analyst Ian Spence reiterated
his 'overweight' stance on the stock.
On the new issue front, Nettworx, a newly-incorporated company that intends
to invest in the fast-growing area of voice, video and data networks,
established a modest premium as trading commenced on AIM.
Placed at 10 pence, the shares moved up to 12-1/4 in volume of 564,375.
Finally, Gas Turbine Efficiency shares were marked up to 39-1/2 pence from a
placing price of 30 as trading got underway on AIM.
The company is a supplier of advanced high pressure gas turbine cleaning
systems.