1pm, the specialist provider of asset finance facilities to the SME sector, posted a 24 per cent increase in revenue for the half year ended November 30th, indicating profits will be significantly ahead of current expectations.

This marked a rise to £1.42m from £1.15m in the same period the previous year, contributing to pre-tax profits of £0.33m, up 55% compared to £0.21m the previous corresponding half.

The cost of sales during the six month period increased slightly from £0.64m to £0.76m.

Maria Hampton said: "Notwithstanding the continuing challenging economic backdrop in the UK, the group is on track to deliver its strategic aims and the board is confident that the positive trading momentum experienced in the first six months of this trading year will continue.

"As a result, the now expects 1pm's profit before tax for the year ending May 31st to be significantly ahead of current market expectations.

"I am pleased to report that the group has made an excellent start to the year. The interim results for the six months ended November 30th 2012 demonstrate that the strong trading momentum delivered in the group's year end to May 31st 2012 has continued into the current year."

During the half year period, almost £3.9m of new business was written, a 50% increase compared with the corresponding period last year at £2.6m.

At the period end, the lease portfolio had increased to £13.20m, a 22% increase over the same period last year (£10.85m).

Cash and equivalents at the end of the half year totalled £0.061m, compard to £0.094m the same date the previous year.


US healthcare software developer Craneware said first half trading has been positive as increased levels of sales start to contribute to revenue growth.

The group, which provides monitoring and automated revenue systems, said it expects to report revenue growth to $20.1m, up from $18.8m in the same half in 2012 with further growth at the adjusted EBITDA level of around 15% from the same period last year.

Craneware said this performance is in line with management's expectations, "delivering similar first half to second half expectation splits as those seen in the previous financial year."

CEO Keith Neilson commented, "The increased levels of sales activity discussed at the time of our final results in September 2012 have begun to contribute to revenue growth."

"Fiscal and regulatory pressures on US hospitals, including the recently announced expansion of the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Programme, continues to drive interest in our suite of software solutions and we are confident in the ongoing strength of our position within this growing area of the US healthcare market."

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