Thorntons' CEO Departs; Blinkx Warns on Profit Hit

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THORNTONS PLC (THT.LN) said its Chief Executive Jonathan Hart has stepped down, capping a troubled recent period for the 104-year-old U.K. chocolate maker and confectionary retailer.

At 1353 GMT shares were unchanged at 95 pence.

BLINKX PLC (BLNX.LN) predicted a "near-term impact on gross margin and profitability," hitting shares of the online video platform operator, as it reported a loss for its 2015 financial year.

Shares -4.5 pence, or 12%, at 34.5 pence.

TOWER RESOURCES PLC (TRP.LN) saw its shares slump after the oil and gas company posted a significantly wider pretax loss for 2014 due to a massive impairment charge relating to its exploration wells in Namibia and Kenya.

Shares -0.03 pence, or 12%, at 0.2 pence.

AFREN PLC (AFR.LN), an oil explorer, said two of its non-executive board directors will resign after the close of the company's annual general meeting on June 25.

Shares -0.03 pence, or 0.9%, at 3.2 pence.

888 HOLDINGS PLC (888.LN), the online gaming firm, has submitted a proposal to acquire Bwin.party Digital Entertainment PLC (BPTY.LN) for cash and shares.

Shares -5.8 pence, or 3.4%, at 164 pence.

E2V TECHNOLOGIES PLC (E2V.LN), a technology components group, disclosed a "good set of results," increased its fiscal 2015 dividend and said the outlook for the current financial year remains unchanged.

Shares -1.5 pence, or 0.6%, at 240 pence.

COAL OF AFRICA LTD. (CZA.AU), a mining company, said that the South African Department of Mineral Resource has granted a mining permit for its flagship Makhado hard coking and thermal coal project in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Shares +1.6 pence, or 34%, at 6.3 pence.

TRANSENSE TECHNOLOGIES PLC (TRT.LN), a provider of sensor systems, said it is developing new instrumentation applications utilizing its surface acoustic wave measurement, or SAW, technology with GE (GE).

Shares +0.8 pence, or 53%, at 2.2 pence.

BAHAMAS PETROLEUM COMPANY PLC (BPC.LN), an oil and gas exploration company, said it has agreed the terms of a license renewal addendum in relation to its four southern licenses.

Shares +0.3 pence, or 18%, at 2 pence.

SOLGOLD PLC (SOLG.LN), a copper and gold explorer, said its Chief Executive and Managing Director Alan Martin resigned on Sunday with immediate effect.

Shares -0.1 pence, or 3.4%, at 2.8 pence.

GEAR 4 MUSIC (HOLDINGS) LTD., an online musical instruments retailers, said it expects to raise GBP8 million ($12.58 million) in gross proceeds via an initial public offering and will seek listing on London's junior AIM Index.

FTSE Small-Cap +0.2%

AIM -0.3%

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