The AIM market lost ground today with weaker commodity prices likely weighing. The index is on course for its worst one day fall in over three weeks, reaching the closing bell some 14 points adrift at 1184.98
- Karelian Diamond +30%
- Sound Energy +27%
- Genedrive -31%
- St James House -27%
- Manolete Partners -9%
Karelian Diamond Resources LON:KDR was the day’s best performer, sitting some 30% higher at 4.30pm. There’s no firm news behind the move, but it has allowed the stock to recover ground lost over the last couple of months. The gain has to be taken in the context of a wide spread and limited trade, but could be one to watch for further news.
Sound Energy LON:SOU has crept into second place, adding 27% on the day although again there’s nothing to substantiate the rally. Again this recoups losses from the last couple of weeks but otherwise looks fairly unremarkable although volumes were above recent levels.
Genedrive LON:GDR was the day’s biggest faller, slipping 31% in the wake of the company publishing its half year report this morning. This reverses most of the gains from late January’s run higher and that news of ongoing delays to regulatory approvals for its COVID test kits is doing little to deliver any love for the business. Another salvo of good news can’t come soon enough.
St James House [LON:SJH], yesterday’s biggest riser, gave back 27% today. The company did publish a financing update this morning but there seems to be little untoward in that, so the reversion is more likely a result of some quick profit taking off yesterday’s spike, with the impact exacerbated by a hulking wide spread and few trades being completed.
Manolete Partners LON:MANO gets our notable mention, off 9% at the bell. This is notable given EY today published a report stating that more than half of the UK’s listed companies who are at heightened risk of insolvency made claims for government support in December and could face a financial cliff edge when this tapers away. Insolvency practitioners may have had a quiet time of late, but it seems inevitable that business will pick up soon enough.
