| The Markets It was bad news from across the pond as only 96,000 non-farm jobs were created in August, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falling short of forecasts of 130,000. The news has led many to believe that the Federal Reserve will start another round of quantitative easing in an attempt to boost the economy. Meanwhile, the Euro climbed to a two month high versus the dollar, in response to the European Central Bank's plan to buy government bonds in an attempt to ease the debt crisis. At the London close the Dow Jones was down by 13.12 points at 13,278.88 and the Nasdaq was down by 6.68 points at 2,823.03. In London the FTSE 100 rose by 17.46 points to 5,794.80; the FTSE 250 finished 131.57 points ahead at 11,808.01; the FTSE All-Share gained 7.67 points to 3,018.67; and the FTSE AIM Index climbed by 8.64 points to 697.30. 
Broker Notes Panmure Gordon reiterated its "sell" recommendation for Domino's Pizza (DOM) but with an increased target price of 360p, from 350p. The broker expects the fast food chain to achieve like-for-like sales growth of 4.1% for the year ended 2012 but forecasts that pre-tax profits will fall by 0.3% to 46.2 million pounds. Panmure also expects the Swiss business, which it acquired for a consideration of up to 4.7 million pounds, will contribute a 0.5 million pound loss in 2012 and will not be profitable until 2014. Domino's shares advanced by 5.5p to 539p.  Northland Capital kept its "buy" stance on Kibo Mining* (KIBO) with an increased target price of 5.1p, from 1.9p. The broker noted that the firm has agreed to buy Mzuri Energy and Mayborn, which will expand its licence holding from 18,000 square kilometres to 38,000 square kilometres. Northland also noted that the group has added the 109 million tonne Rukwa coal project to its portfolio, which has a 250 to 350 megawatt power plant under construction on site. The shares tumbled by 0.125p to 2p. Shore Capital retained its "buy" rating for Shire (SHP) after the pharmaceutical company announced that it reached a settlement with Anchen and TWi over a patent pending dispute of its ADHD treatment Intuniv. However, the broker noted that the main threat from Actavis remains, with the trial set for 17th September. Shore added that the pharmaceutical company has a second generation version of Intuniv in development which may help differentiate the product after its launch. Shire shares declined by 40p to 1,935p. Blue-Chips Glencore (GLEN) has increased its offer for Xstrata (XTA), from 2.8 to 3.05 of its own shares for each Xstrata share, as it looks to appease disgruntled shareholders who felt the original offer undervalued the mining company. In exchange for raising the bid, Glencore has proposed that existing chief executive, Ivan Glasenberg should become the head of the enlarged business, instead of the previously suggested chief executive of Xstrata, Mick Davis. However, sovereign wealth fund Qatar Holding, which owns Harrods and has a 12% stake in Xstrata, is still not happy, demanding a ratio of 3.25. Shares in Glencore lost 14.3p to 378.05p, while those of Xstrata grew by 35p to 1,014p. 
SSE (SSE) announced that all 140 turbines at the 500 megawatt capacity Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm have been commissioned and have begun producing electricity. The power company noted that the operating company, Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds, in which it has a 50% holding, is in a contractual dispute with the principal contractor Fluor over the build quality of a number of the turbine foundations. In the mean time, it has established a number of controls, including access restrictions, in order to ensure safety. The shares slipped by 17p to 1,358p. Mid-Caps Interserve (IRV) reported that it has been selected as preferred bidder for a seven year, 300 million pound contract with the NHS. The deal covers three NHS Trusts, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and covers the provision of facility and estate management, as well as consultancy services across 550 buildings and nearly 3,100 beds. The firm expects the agreement to be finalised in December and will begin operations soon after. The shares jumped by 17.6p to 377.5p. 
John Laing Infrastructure Fund (JLIF) announced plans to raise 60 million pounds through an equity placing, at a price of 106.5p per share, in order to help fund the acquisition of a portfolio of three assets for 71.3 million pounds. The targets consist of two hospitals in the UK and a barracks in the Netherlands, and are in-line with the firm's strategy of investing in "low risk, high quality operational assets". The shares inched down by 0.7p to 107.3p. Aerospace and defence engineer Cobham (COB) has secured a 15 million dollar (9.4 million pound) contract to supply On-Board Inert Gas Generating System Nitrogen Inert Units to the US Army over 5 years. The product will be used in AH-64 Apache helicopters to displace fuel vapours, reducing the risk of explosion. The group noted that it has been supplying the US Army with similar products since 1985. Cobham shares edged down by 0.4p to 218.7p. 
AH-64 Apache Small Caps, AIM and PLUS Meanwhile, the US Army has also commissioned PowerFilm (PFLM) to supply it with 3 million dollars (1.9 million pounds) worth of foldable solar panels. The order is expected to be shipped in the second half of 2012 and the products will be used for battery charging in the field. The purchase includes 120-watt chargers, that weigh just 6.5 pounds, as well as smaller 60 and 10 watt versions. The shares ascended by 0.5p to 12p. Scotty Group (SCO) warned that contract delays resulted in first half revenues falling below expectations. Because of this, the video communication technology developer said that it does not have sufficient working capital to continue its operations and has been unable to secure financing from the banks. It will therefore need to raise a minimum of 350,000 euros (277,589 pounds) worth of additional funds through an equity placing. The shares initially crashed by 0.25 euros, before finally closing flat at 0.625 euros. Vane Minerals (VML) reported revenues of 3.4 million pounds for the six months ended 30th June, up 174% on 2011's comparable period, achieving pre-tax profits of 0.18 million pounds, up from a loss of 1.03 million pounds. The precious metals miner processed 16,217 tonnes of material at its Mexico based operations during the period, producing 2,208 ounces of gold and 48,311 ounces of silver. Shares in Vane flew by 0.25p to 1.175p. 
Xcite Energy (XEL) said that it has sold over 135,000 barrels of Bentley crude oil, through its marketing and offtake agreement with BP Oil International, adding that it was able to secure a better price than previously expected. The hydrocarbons explorer added that pre-production flow testing programme is on-track and should be completed within the next two weeks. The shares swelled by 3.5p to 118p. Synthetic fuel technology developer Oxford Catalysts (OCG) has secured a contract to supply its Fischer-Tropsch technology to US listed petroleum company Calumet Specialty Product Partners for use in its 1,000 barrel per day capacity Gas-to-Liquids plant in Pennsylvania. The deal is expected to be worth 10 million dollars (6.3 million pounds) to the firm in 2013 and 2014 and in excess of 30 million dollars (18.8 million pounds) over the first 20 years of operation. Shares in Oxford Catalysts soared by 13p to 71p. Biome Technologies (BIOM) has decided to sell its 50% stake in Biotec Holding for a cash consideration of 5.2 million pounds. The group said that Biotec target markets are currently suffering from high levels of uncertainty and that it will use the funds to develop and commercialise its own, wholly owned, intellectual property. Broker Daniel Stewart noted that the assets of Biome's holding in Biotec are valued at 9.1 million pounds and so the firm will most likely write off around 3.9 million pounds on completion of the disposal. The shares climbed by 0.01p to 0.09p. The Week Ahead Next week we look forward to finals from chocolatier Thorntons (THT), civil engineer Kier Group (KIE) and housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV), which broker Northland Capital expects to report adjusted pre-tax profits of 118 million pounds. There will also be full year results from pub chain JD Wetherspoon (JDW), whose peers have noted strong like-for-like sales growth over recent months, despite the heavy rain. We will hear interim results from DIY specialist Kingfisher (KGF), methane based power company Alkane Energy (ALK) and fashion retailer Next (NXT), which already noted sales growth of 0.2%, following a strong second quarter recovery. Fellow fashion retailer Supergroup (SGP) will issue an interim management statement, as will online gambling company Betfair Group (BET) and spreadbetteing platform IG Group Holdings (IGG). There will also be trading updates from beleaguered Argos and Homebase owner Home Retail Group (HOME) and Associated British Foods (ABF), which has enjoyed strong growth from its sugar business and Primark clothes stores. | 
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