Just Group (JUST) shares ticked up 9.31% to 94.28p after the group exceeds 2022 target

In an update for the year to 31 December 2021, Just Group’s  retirement income sales were up 25% to £2.7bn, of which defined benefit de-risking sales were up 28% to £1.9bn while new business profits grew by a “low double digit” percentage, with lower new business strain. 

During 2021, the Company completed 29 transactions, up from 23 transactions completed in 2020, and ‘significantly increased’ the proportion of business from the DB deferred segment. 

In addition, the Company noted that underlying organic capital generation had more than doubled its FY20 result, therefore exceeding its 2022 target a year ahead of expectations.

Sanderson Design Group (SDG) shares jump 20.20% to 184.5p as profitability jumps

In a trading update for the year to 31 January 2022, the luxury interior design company said profitability is expected to be significantly ahead of expectations as a result of the operational gearing effect of recent manufacturing sales and additional, higher margin, licensing income.

It expects to report adjusted profit before tax of at least £12.m, up from 21: £7.1m) in FY21.

Meanwhile, the Group’s revenues for the period are expected to be only slightly ahead of Board expectations at approximately £112.0 million (FY 2021: £93.8m), Sanderson noted.

The Group said its balance sheet has strengthened during 2H and that its net cash position at 31 January 2022 is expected to show an improvement on the £15.4m as at 31 July 2021.

Great Western Mining Corporation (GWMO) shares jump 11.50% to 0.16p following contract

In recent weeks, shares in the explorer have gradually increased after the company told investors that it anticipates “a busy and productive year” for Great Western “on all fronts.”

In a recent statement relating to the company’s ongoing projects, the Company said it was in a strong cash position and that it has secured a new contract for a 2022 reverse circulation (RC) drill programme, with start-up intended as soon as ground conditions allow.

The Company highlighted that it is estimated that this will occur in early spring 2022.

Avacta Group (AVCT) shares rise 10.96% to 81p as asset is selected for further development

This morning, the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company announced to investors that the next pre|CISIONTM drug candidate, AVA3996, has been selected for pre-clinical development with a view to a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial beginning in the second half of 2023.

AVA3996 was selected as a candidate following a recent review of the asset’s efficacy studies in several liquid and solid tumour models, safety studies and a review of manufacturability.