Help-line queue-busting software provider Netcall said it continued to trade comfortably in line with management expectations throughout the first half of the year as it maintained double digit sales growth.

For the six-month period ended December 31st 2012 order inflows remained strong while double-digit sales growth was preserved.

Netcall, whose products include its flagship automated call back product QueueBuster and whose clients include Avon, British Telecom, and McAfee, said both new customer wins and sales to existing customers have contributed to growth, the group said.

Netcall added that the acquisition of Serengeti is boosting group earnings and the integration of its business and ECM product suite is progressing to plan.

The group maintained its debt free balance sheet and at December 31st 2012 the net cash balance had increased to £8.2m from £7.7m at October 31st 2012 after a share buyback of £0.25m in December.

CEO Henrik Bang commented: "The group performed well in the first half of the year, delivering strong operating cash flows and sales growth, whilst at the same time integrating Serengeti."

"Along with new customer wins such as North Wales Housing, we are pleased with the level of cross-sales achieved in the period such as the sale of an Eden solution to The Warranty Group, an existing workforce management customer. The addition of Serengeti provides further opportunity for cross- and up-sales and the Board remains confident in achieving a successful outcome for the year."



Brewer and pub operator Marston's said it was encouraged by its trading performance during the Christmas and New Year period, despite the pressures on consumer confidence, and expects to make good progress in each of its divisions.

Overall profitability is in line with company expectations and it is confident of further progress, it said.

In managed pubs like-for-like (LFL) sales rose 1.2% for the 16-week period to January 19th from the same period last year despite the impact of snow.

LFL sales for the 15-week period to January 12th were 2.1% ahead of last year, including LFL food sales growth of 3.5% and LFL wet sales growth of 1%.

Marston's said trading over the festive period was strong including growth of 5.8% in the key three week trading period to January 5th and 10% on Christmas Day.

Operating margins are slightly ahead of last year and its plans for building new pub-restaurants in the current financial year remain on track.

Net debt and cash flow are in line with company expectations.

Chief Executive Officer Ralph Findlay said: "The results for the year to date are further evidence that our strategy is appropriate for the current environment and is generating consistent and encouraging results."

"We expect economic pressures to continue to constrain consumer confidence, and see no evidence that the Government recognises the damage being caused to pubs by high taxation and over-regulation. Nevertheless, we are confident of making further progress towards our objectives of sustainable growth, higher return on capital and reduced leverage."

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