Small caps round-up: Games Workshop, PLUS, Optos, Johnston

Games Workshop Group has said that it will pay a dividend of 16p per share. The firm also revealed that pre-tax profits for the year to June 3rd are likely to be ahead of current market expectations, having previously told investors that trading during the first four months was in line with expectations. Investors welcomed the news, sending the share price 3.11 per cent higher at 580p.

PLUS Markets Group has confirmed talks with ICAP saying that these discussions may lead to the disposal of its subsidiary company PLUS Stock Exchange. The subsidiary would be sold for a nominal amount given the fact it is loss making. The firm reiterated that such a move would be in the best interests of shareholders.

Optos, a retinal imaging company, reported a $28.2m year-on-year rise in revenue to $86.2m for the six months ended March 31st. Gross profit was up $13.7m at $49.8m, while profit after tax before exceptional items fell $0.2m to $4.3m. Pre-tax profit for the period was $3.9m and basic earnings per share were 5.6c. Debt levels rose $17.8m to $48.2m.

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Johnston Press has said total advertising revenue for the 18 weeks to May 7th were down 9.1%, but within this saw an improvement from the first quarter decline of 9.6% to a slower decline of 8.0% for the second quarter to date. While there was a year-on-year decline in classified print advertising revenues of 11.5% for the first 18 weeks of 2012, the position has improved from a decline of 12.4% in the first quarter to an 8.9% decline for the second quarter to date. Digital revenues were up 13.9% in the 18 week period, driven by online display, online employment, and the Find it directory. Circulation revenue continued to be resilient, down 2.0% year on year for the 18 week period, with a slowing in the rate of decline of weekly circulation numbers. Net debt was £363.3m at the end of April.

The company also announced that it has signed a deal with Motors.co.uk through which it will launch a new local, online motors platform which will be integrated within each of Johnston's local websites and will carry the local website brand.

NR