Small caps round-up: Acta, Healthcare Locums, NCC

Clean energy products company Acta has said it is pleased with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs decision to approve the safety and reliability standards for fuel cell scooters and motorcycles, meaning they are now ready for mass production. Acta said it believes that the release of road standards for fuel cell motorcycles and scooters will help to accelerate the introduction and adoption of these vehicles together with the refuelling kiosk within tourist destinations and other environmentally sensitive locations.

By MoneyWeek

published 2 August 2012

Healthcare Locums has said its UK gross profit in the first half of the year has been below management's expectations as a result of continued delays in the tendering processes of several national and regional NHS procurement frameworks that have affected the timing of HCL signing supply agreements. Trading in Australia has also suffered, but its performance is expected to improve in the second half as Australia moves into its seasonally busier time of the year. Overall adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation will be negative for the first half. Cash at the end of the period fell from £14.2m at December 31st to £10.3m.

NCC Group, a provider of escrow and assurance services, has acquired US-based Matasano Security, an independent security research and testing services provider, for a maximum consideration of £8.4m ($13.0m) in cash. The initial payment is for £4.2m, with a further two payments to be made depending on the firm's performance. The purchase will substantially increase the firm's presence in New York and Chicago and will be immediately earnings-enhancing.