Interims to March from 3D capture and movement analysis outfit OMG were a disappointment, with delays to major US deals pegging back progress. Pre-tax profits of £154,000 made way for losses of £549,000, as delays to the timing of major contracts in the key US market, twinned with ongoing investment, dragged the company into the red. The year started with a strong prospect list in the US, but no large deals were concluded in the first half, meaning sales were well below expectations. Nevertheless, new chief executive Nick Bolton insists ‘we’ve everything to play for in the second half’. Turnover was 10% ahead at £4.8m, aided by recent acquisitions House of Moves, a provider of motion capture services to the film and games sector, and Peak, bought in February this year. There was also strong sales growth in the crucial Japanese market. Furthermore, OMG has just clinched an order for its large MX ‘motion capture’ systems from software giant Electronic Arts, proving delayed deals are real gems when they do come through. Bolton says there are ‘more deals in the pipeline’ of ‘at least the same stature’. And OMG’s technology is revered in the industry. In February, the firm won a Scientific and Technical Academy Award at the Oscars, in a year in which four of seven films competing for Best Visual Effects used its services. OMG, which joined AIM at 75p in 2001, is forecast to lose money this year, but we feel the shares still have long-term appeal.