Shares in equipment rental outfit Northbridge Industrial Services (NBI) sped ten per cent higher to 160p on Monday, as the world’s largest manufacturer of ‘loadbanks’ – systems that test power supply – cheered with strong maiden full year figures to December. 2006 numbers, including a nine-month turn from main subsidiary Crestchic, acquired at float in March, revealed pre-tax profits of almost £1.1 million on £6.9 million sales, with Crestchic basking in buoyant markets.

Alongside results chief executive Eric Hook announced the £900,000 acquisition of Loadbank Hire Services, a deal that should enhance earnings in the current year. In the wake of this acquisition and strong trading, City number crunchers raised 2007 profit forecasts by 15 per cent to £1.6 million.

Elsewhere the depressed share price of Debts.co.uk (DETS) received a fillip as half time figures to January were well received, with the price clipping ahead by 4p to 117.5p. Interim sales surged by more than 60 per cent to £5 million and pre-tax profits pushed higher, from £1 million to £1.3 million. Earnings accrued by the best part of 30 per cent to 4.69p, with management attributing the positive results to the diversity of the group’s earnings.

Trickling 3p south to 119.5p was Amiad Filtration Systems (AFS), the producer and supplier of water filters and filtration systems for industrial and irrigation markets. Annual 2006 results revealed a rather modest year of growth, with turnover edging ahead by four per cent to $44.1 million (£22.5 million) and pre-tax profits dropping from $4.1 million (£2.1 million) to $3.7 million in a year of expansion and investment.

The week ahead

Finals are due from £125 million support services business Inspace (INSP) tomorrow, providing an opportunity for management to update the market on contract news in social housing and the sizeable recent acquisition of Widacre. Numis’ Francesca Raleigh is looking for 30 per cent growth in adjusted pre-tax profits from £7.9 million to £10.3 million, with earnings set to burgeon by 15 per cent to 9.75p.

Then on Thursday, investors should expect an encouraging update from Cagney (CGNY), the acquisitive marketing services minnow led by experienced mover and shaker Paul Simons. Preliminary results to December should show a profitable first year of trading for Cagney, which debuted on AIM with a £1.55 million placing at 8p in February 2006. Currently priced at 5p, the business, which recently strengthened its hand in the consumer research sector through the recent acquisition of Tree, is valued at £4.2 million, though planned acquisitions and new business wins should swiftly swell its market capitalisation.

Forthcoming floats

New entrants continue to line up in both the property and clean power sectors. Jersey investment concern Madara Bulgarian Property Fund will focus its efforts on residential and commercial real estate development as well as utilities and infrastructure projects and property trading in the Bulgarian market. No word on pricing or funding details yet, although debut AIM dealings are slated for Friday.

And AFC Energy, the ‘low cost, alkaline’ fuel cell company chaired by Tory MP Tim Yeo, should command a £50 million market price tag on its arrival next month, with the company currently being advised by Nabarro Wells.