Optos sees a clear road ahead

Published on Friday 26 June 2009 21:48

SCOTS STOCKS

SHARES in retinal imaging company Optos fell yesterday despite it announcing a new marketing relationship with US eyecare supply company VSP GlobalSM.

The agreement will see VSP supply special retinal imaging technology to its 26,000 doctors in the US.

The "eyeHealthCheck+" programme is part of Optos's strategic development announced in February 2009. It closed 1.4 per cent or 1p lower at 70p.

Glasgow based media firm STV plummeted 14 per cent in trading yesterday after the company revealed it had not received confirmation from broadcaster ITV of a commission for Taggart this year. STV faces a 3 million hit if the show is not recommissioned. It ended the day 8.3 per cent lower at 61p.

Temporary power supplier Aggreko rose 2 per cent after it announced a contract to supply the Saudi Electric Company to help the firm overcome seasonal power shortages in Saudi Arabia. Its international division is supplying the power at six sites north of the capital, Riyadh. Shares closed 11p higher at 516.5p.

Ports and property firm Forth Ports, which owns Edinburgh's Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, rose 1.9 per cent or 17.5p to 960p after issuing a trading update. The firm said that first-half results will be in line with last year and that it is on target to reduce debt by the end of the year.

Crude oil prices slipped to below $70 a barrel yesterday. Oil explorer Cairn Energy was down 15p to 2,241p, while Dana Petroleum rose slightly to close 6p higher at 1,360p. Venture Production rose 5.5p to 806.5p.