Zoopla, Intertek, Judges Scientific and M&S

“Equities advanced after Eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund agreed a deal to unlock €10bn in bailout funds for Greece and oil hit a seven-month high,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Property portal Zoopla had a strong first half and is poised for further growth as it reaps the rewards from the takeover of price comparison website uSwitch. Revenues jumped by 130% to a record £96.4m with the comparison services division contributing £57.7m with an increasing number of canny consumers ‘shopping around’.

“Full year earnings are on course to be at the top end of forecasts and the first half figures received a ringing endorsement from investors with Zoopla’s shares up by more than 8.5% in early afternoon trading

“Scientific instrument specialist Judges Scientific’s shares plunged as an anticipated pick-up in order bookings failed to materialise. Judges Scientific is used to getting off to a slow start but, unlike the past two years, the performance has not improved. A poor first half is inevitable and if the trend continues the full-year will be affected too. Its shares were down by over 17%.

“Intertek was a far less dramatic faller after it highlighted the challenging market conditions faced by its resource-related arm. Its shares were down by over 4% despite good organic growth from the group’s product-related businesses, which account for more than two-thirds of its earnings.

“Marks & Spencer remained at the foot of the blue-chip board after new chief executive Steve Rowe warned that actions to improve the clothing and home range would hit profits in the short-term. The group’s food arm continues to outperform in a competitive market and masks unsatisfactory results from the clothing and home business. M&S was down by nearly 9%.”

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