Strong Q3 growth for some NW plcs

SOME of the North West’s listed businesses saw market values increase dramatically in Q3, but overall were outperformed by the FTSE in the third quarter, according to research by Deloitte.

The accountancy group’s latest North West Share Index shows that listed companies in the region have witnessed an average decline in their market value of 3.11% compared to the FTSE’s decline of 2.66%.
 
However, some individual companies performed strongly, particularly those with a listing on the Alternative Investment Market.

Manchester-based Bio-tech venture 4d Pharma saw its value increase by 126%, while Ellesmere Port-based ceramic brakes manufacturer Surface Transforms saw its value double.

Six other North West companies saw their value grow by 30-55%. These included Warrington healthcare property developer Assura Group (47.3%), and nanotechnology company Nanoco (41.4%).
 
Chris Robertson, partner in charge of PLC activity at Deloitte in the North West, said: “Though the North West has under-performed the national statistics, it is good to see excellent growth from some of the region’s strongest sectors, underlining the potential in the North West. Despite the FTSE also struggling, the public markets continue to be a viable exit route, with over £3bn expected to be raised on the main market from the likes of Jimmy Choo, Aldermore and RAC in the coming months.
 
“We expect these deals and the strong pipeline into 2015 to inject new life into the public markets and the North West’s listed firms will experience the benefits of this over the coming months.”