Shares digital

This week’s in-line trading statement from Anite (AIE) confounded the sceptics, who were convinced a third profit warning would emerge, following the alerts issued in September and November. However, chief executive Steve Rowley did say the full-year figures still hinge on the final few weeks’ trading.

Weaker than expected trading at the software, consulting and services expert’s mobile handset testing business prompted last year's disappointing updates and Rowley acknowledged trading here remains weak. However, his commentary confirmed trading in network testing remains encouraging, confirming a picture formed by recent updates from peers Spirent (SPT) and America’s Agilent (A:NYSE), who is also a partner.

The shares in Anite held firm at 43p and investors will now wait to see whether Rowley will act on January’s statement, when he noted his firm has ‘a stock market valuation that reflects a structural discount.’

Shares says: It may take moves toward a break-up to get the shares going, but there is value here

by: Russ Mould