Smaller stock to watch
AORTECH INTERNATIONAL, the AIM-listed medical devices group, gained 1½p to 17p after signing a global licensing deal for its Elast-Eon proprietary polyurethane with its US counterpart Percardia. The tie-up comes hard on the heels of a similar agreement last month with an unnamed US medical devices supplier. Observers say that the deals, which should bring milestone and royalty payments, vindicate a decision to focus on biomaterials.
Directors’ dealings
AQUARIUS PLATINUM, the South African platinum producer, was pegged at 280p as Patrick Quirk, a non-executive director, received 1.63 million shares as part of the distribution to its shareholders by Zimasco Consolidated Enterprises, in which Aquarius holds an 8.6 per cent stake. At last week’s full-year figures, Aquarius reported a 5 per cent rise in platinum production over the previous quarter.
Advertisement
Bet of the day
THE US dollar has rallied against the euro of late, hitting 1.1372 at 6pm yesterday. But can the American currency maintain its recent burst of energy? In which direction is the exchange rate headed in the next couple of months? Cantor Index clients are negative on the dollar. The betting firm is offering odds of 5-2 against the dollar-euro rate weakening to 1.1170 or worse on September 30.