Shares digital

1st Dental Laboratories (FDT:AIM) – Finals PTP: -£0.04m (-£1.7m) Divi: n/a (n/a)

The shares shot up a whopping 24% to 10.5p following a significant narrowing of losses. The improved performance followed a difficult 2005 and 2006 as well as tough trading conditions at the start of 2007.

The company says that the disruption experienced with its NHS client base from April 2006, with the changes in the primary care trusts, seems to have concluded and solid order flows are coming through. It has also secured national contracts with certain major dentist corporate groups for domestic supply. In addition, its new venture e-teeth, which provides an online purchasing facility for dentists, is starting to prove beneficial. Going forward, the group plans to reduce its net debt further this year and may take advantage of acquisition opportunities.

Shares says: May not be out of the woods yet but the outlook certainly looks more promising.

by: Rachel Robson