25 May 2012

Healthcare Locums shares suspended pending investigation

25/01/2011 Miles Nolan

Fast growing staffing firm Healthcare Locums (HLO) has suffered a major fall from grace with news that its shares have been suspended with immediate effect. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the sudden an expected announcement but Healthcare says that its financial performance will now be materially below expectations. Of perhaps more concern is that serious accounting irregularities have been uncovered so the company has instigated an immediate investigation and suspended colourful founder Kate Bleasdale and finance director Diane Jarvis.

In November the company acquired Australia based rival Healthcare Australia Holdings (HAH) for £75.2 million in a bold move that significantly increased its size and was financed by bank debt. The move lessens its exposure to the NHS which prior to the deal accounted for less than half its gross margin. The HAH nursing agency was set up in 2004 and is a leading provider to public and private health institutions. It has a database of over 6,500 active nurses.

Chairman Alan Walker is an accountant by trade having worked at KPMG and Price Waterhouse, he is also CEO of Inveresk and Executive chairman of SWP. Last year Healthcare issued a profits warning after a change in its accounting policy to reflect revenue when a candidate starts - rather than accepts a position. This led to a reduction in market forecasts and prior to the news today profits estimates for 2010 ranged from £22 million to £25 million. Shares in Healthcare have been frozen at 112.5p valuing the company at £127.5 million, approximately half the value they traded at when in bid talks last year.

Tags: Below expectations, Investigation, Profit warning, Shares suspended

Sector: Support Services

Companies: Healthcare Locums

Achieve impressive returns

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena

Click here

Achieve impressive returns on the go

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena. Sign up NOW!

Institutional Investors in AIM 2011 - New Report

This unique study analyses the shareholdings of companies listed on AIM, extracting trends including rankings of the value and number of their investments.
Please click here to order your copy of the report or call 0207 250 7056.

Coverage of AIM, techMARK and PLUS Markets

Informative features and research on fast-growing companies, small-cap and growth stocks, penny shares, stock market tips and share recommendations, directors' dealings, company news and analysis, new issues and upcoming IPOs.

If you're interested in business tax updates visit our specialist tax guide website.

Latest small-cap and growth company news

Daily coverage of small-cap company stocks on London's junior markets AIM and PLUS, breaking news, stock research and latest share price information for investors. Full sector coverage with all the latest news on smaller listed companies, updated several times a day with financial reports, trading statements and links to further web resources.

Popular News

Latest News

Gulf starts at Sheikh Adi-2 25/05/2012

Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Drilling on AIM, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Gulf Keystone Petroleum

Shell considers Cove 24/05/2012

Oil giant Shell is extending its offer period for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy (COV) after having its bid trumped by Thai government-owned PTT Exploration & Production.

Tags: Bid trumped, Doing business in Mozambique, Oil giants on AIM, Takeovers and bids

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Royal Dutch Shell 'A' , Cove Energy

Roxi reaches 1,360 metres 23/05/2012

Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.

Tags: AIM ventures, Doing business in Kazakhstan, Oil on AIM

Cluff Natural Resources joins AIM 22/05/2012

Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.

Tags: Entrepreneurs on AIM, Gold mining, Oil and gas on AIM

Red Emperor exercises Shabeel 21/05/2012

Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.

Tags: Business in the Puntland, Doing business in Somalia, Drilling for oil & gas, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Red Emperor Resources

Heritage happy in Iraq 18/05/2012

Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Oil on the full list, Oil production, Target depth

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Heritage Oil

More News

Sectors