Companies: CEB    CNC    MNW    SCR    WICH   

AIM floats scheduled for the week before Christmas include Sabien Technology, a UK venture with the rights to a system known as ‘M2G’, which helps to cut energy consumption by up to 35 per cent in commercial and industrial boilers. The group expects to debut on Wednesday with a £13.8 million price tag following a Bell Lawrie-led £4 million funding comprising a £3.2 million placing at 52p, and an £800,000 loan note issue.

The same day, AIM followers should keep their eyes peeled for Russia-focused oil and gas explorer Timan, boasting three licences in the Timan-Pechora region of Western Russia, as well as an 80 per cent interest in licences over two exploration blocks in the Caspian Sea.

Thursday should see car retail consolidation vehicle Vertu Motors accelerate onto AIM. Its directors, formerly senior figures at Reg Vardy, are experienced players in this sector, and the group will look to buy businesses with performance improvement potential that may also contain freehold property. Brewin Dolphin is broker and adviser to the float.

Monday marked debut dealings in £100 million fund Clean Energy Brazil (CEB), where the non-executive chairman is British American Tobacco COO Antonio Monteiro de Castro. Brought to AIM with a mandate to invest directly in Brazil’s sugar and ethanol industry by Numis Securities – which developed the concept, built the management team and backed the company alongside institutional investors – the shares edged up from the £1 placing price to 102.5p in early dealings today.

Miscellaneous Monday movers

Results propelled shares in £215 million property investor Wichford (WICH) 6p higher to 225p on Monday, stirred by news of a 71 per cent rise in the value of its portfolio to £456 million and a rise in pre-tax profits from £2.4 million to £9.9 million during the year to September.

Eighteen properties were acquired during a busy year and the group has made another six purchases since year-end, including two property acquisitions for £10.8 million unveiled alongside the results this morning.

Ontario outfit March Networks (MNW) marched 7.5p higher to 922.5p on news that Giant Tiger Stores has selected its loss prevention software. Giant Tiger, a renowned Canadian discount retailer with more than 170 stores across Canada, will use the video and data solutions provider’s technology to prevent loss, reduce risk and hopefully drive its bottom-line performance.

Moving in the opposite direction was South China Resources (SCR), set up in 2005 to explore and develop base-metal projects in China, which surrendered ten per cent at 9.25p, after reporting losses of £420,000 (£34,000) for the year to June.

Concurrent transmits electric trading

Although the share price was static at 41.5p, high-end computer products maker Concurrent Technologies (CNC) cheered followers with a bullish pre-close trading statement for calendar 2006. Managing director Glen Fawcett said results, out in early March, ‘will portray a picture of continuing health based upon a growing market presence.’ He added that demand for the group’s products has increased throughout 2006 and the figures are likely to ‘at least’ meet market forecasts.