| The Markets The New York Stock Exchange opened after the longest closure since 9/11 as the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy began to sink in. The storm has created an estimated 18 to 24 billion pounds in clearing up costs. In the UK, a report suggested that millions of poor and middle income households may remain unaffected by any economic recovery. The Commission on Living Standards warned that high unemployment will keep wages low and called for state subsidies to boost employment. On the continent, Greece's draft budget for 2013 predicts a deeper recession and worse debt problems than previously forecasted. Instead of shrinking 3.8%, the economy is expected to contract by 4.5%, with government borrowing predicted to reach 5.2% of economic output rather than the originally anticipated 4.2%. Meanwhile, unemployment in the Eurozone rose by 10 basis points in September to 11.6%, some 25.8 million people, exceeding consensus forecasts of 11.4%. At the London close the Dow Jones was down by 42.69 points at 13,064.52 and the Nasdaq was down by 18.78 points at 2,969.17. In London the FTSE 100 fell by 63.62 points to 5,786.28; the FTSE 250 finished 7.34 points down at 11,944.00; the FTSE All-Share lost 28.53 points to 3,026.45; and the FTSE AIM Index increased by 1.66 points to 3133.51. 
Broker Notes Following the recent surge in share price, Getech (GTC) has been downgraded from a "buy" to an "outperform" by WH Ireland, but with an increased target price of 52.5p, from 35p. The broker believes that Getech's strong momentum and supportive oil and gas prices coupled with improved marketing should give it a rating at least in line with the wider oil and gas sector, of around 14.1 times earnings. The shares jumped 2p to 51.5p. 
Panmure Gordon upgraded its recommendation on Interior Services Group (ISG) from a "hold" to a "buy" and raised the target price from 112p to 170p. The broker was impressed by the company's new contract wins, particularly against a backdrop of a tough UK construction market. Panmure added that the office refurbishment company's international expansion through acquisition and organic growth will help diversify revenues, with overseas revenues now accounting for 20% of total sales. Shares remained unchanged at 143.5p. Shore Capital maintained its buy recommendation on retailer Marks & Spencer (MKS) as it believes the company's improved e-commerce facility creates a basis for a more competitive and sustainable revenue stream. The broker noted that the food and clothing retailer's share price has performed well recently, riding the momentum of a general recovery in the sector, but pointed to continued weakness in the womenswear market. Shore added that the firm's interim results will be release on 6th November and believes that a lot will ride on the coat tails of the performance of ladies clothing sales in the second quarter. Shares were down 1.3p to 393.8p. Blue-Chips Gas firm BG Group (BG.) reported a 22% increase in operating profit to 2.3 billion dollars (1.4 billion pounds) for the third quarter, on revenue growth of 4% to 5.6 billion dollars (3.5 billion pounds). This increase was driven by strong performances on projects in Australia and Brazil. The firm noted that production increased by 5%, despite its decision to scale back drilling in the US because of low natural gas prices. The shares tumbled 182p to 1,147p. 
Retailer NEXT (NXT) announced a 2.7% rise in sales for the third quarter ended 27th October 2012 and attributed the increase to a busy late September and early October after a slow August. Sales at NEXT directory jumped 5.6%, closing the performance gap between itself and NEXT Retail and the company believes that this is largely due to the delivery improvements it made at the start of last year. As a result of the continued growth, the group increased the lower end of its full year pre-tax profit range from 575 million pounds to 590 million pounds. The shares fell 39p to 3,566p. Mobile phone giant Vodafone (VOD) confirmed it has completed the acquisition of TelstraClear, the New Zealand business of Australian group Telstra, for a total of 429 million pounds. The deal, which was first announced in July, has now received regulatory approval and is clear to go ahead. TelstraClear is the second largest fixed line operator in the country and its clients include the government, as well a number of large corporations. The shares slipped 2.8p to 168.25p. Mid-Caps Wealth management group St. James's Place (STJ) reported a 6% increase in funds under management to 32.8 billion pounds for the three months ended 30th September 2012. This was driven by a net inflow in funds of 0.75 billion pounds and a slight increase in global stock markets. Total new business grew 8% year on year to 165.5 million pounds, pushed up by growth of 14% in September alone. The shares rose by 17.3p to 397p. 
The Africa based energy firm Afren (AFR) revealed that production has commenced from the Okoro Field Extension, in offshore southeast Nigeria. This new project is expected to produce at a stabilised rate of 5,000 barrels of oil a day, increasing the output from the area to approximately 21,500 barrels a day. Chief Executive, Osman Shahensha said "I am delighted we have commenced early production at the Okoro Field Extension, just nine months after the initial discovery." The shares climbed 4.6p to 137.70p. India-focused energy firm Essar Energy (ESSR) announced it has secured stage 1 forest clearance from the government of India's environmental agency. This approval will help speed up the start of the mining and supply of coal to Essar Energy's 1200 MW Mahan phase I power project. The group currently operates six power plants in the country. The shares swelled 5.4p to 136.9p. Small Caps, AIM and PLUS Transport data software company Tracsis (TRCS) reported a 112% increase in revenues to 4.1 million pounds, with pre-tax profits jumping by 169% to 1.1 million pounds in the year ended 31st July 2012. The company, which works with clients such as Arriva, National Express and Virgin, produces packages that allow its clients to study their own performance which could help to reduce costs and improve service. The growth in revenues was in part due to several new contract wins and first sales of TRACS-RS, a product which aids the process of rolling stock vehicle planning. The shares rallied 11.5p to 145p. Internet Services provider Coms (COMS) reported a rise in group revenues of 33.8% to 1.83 million pounds, while revenues in its core business division of cloud telephony were up by 90.6% to 0.6 million pounds for the 6 months ended 31st July 2012. Gross profits increased 47.7% to 0.6 million pounds which the group attributed to a 100% rise in recurring revenue. The shares surged 11.5p to 145p. 
Cloud software developer 1Spatial* (SPA) announced an after tax loss of 1.1 million pounds for the six month period ended 30 July 2012 a swing from making a profit of 0.8 million pounds last year. During the period, the group closed down its loss making Avisen Netherlands business and completed the restructuring of its 1Spatial business, which is expected to make annualised savings of 0.7 million pounds. Despite the gloom, revenues were up 146% to 6.4 million pounds for the period. The shares fell 0.25p to 3.875p. Creon Resources (CRO) revealed it raised 12.1 million pounds through an open offer to shareholders, which it will use to implement its investment policy. Another highlight of the six months ended 31st July 2012 was that the company completed its first investment in the offshore oil and gas sector with a 9.8 million pound joint venture with China based shipping company Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Ltd. The shares remained flat at 0.65p. Gold production company Nyota Minerals (NYO) reported that due to issues at the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines, it was unable to secure a mining licence by its target date of 30th September. Meanwhile, the firm said that it expects to announce the results of a feasibility study into its primary Tulu Kapi project in December. The study concerns proposed capital costs, a new mine schedule and incorporating a new mineral resource for the Ethiopian project. This comes after the estimated resource at the site was upgraded by 33% to 1.108 million ounces of gold earlier this month. Shares in the company fell by 0.24p to 4.14p. Property business Rugby Estates (RES) reported a loss before tax of 2.33 million pounds for the six months to July, an increase of 264%. Factors which contributed include reductions in the estimated realisable values of the remaining properties owned by the company and restructuring costs. The firm continued its plan of liquidating its portfolio and returned a further 6.4 million pounds to shareholders, bringing the total since 31st January 2009 to 51.8 million pounds. Shares in Rugby Estates plummeted 45p to 355p. * 1Spatial is a corporate client of Rivington Street Holdings, the ultimate owner of UK-Analyst. | 
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