These tangible concerns combined with data highlighting a recent fall in oil supply, speculators "short covering" ahead of October's oil futures contracts and the continued weakening of the US dollar contributed towards the price of crude oil jumping by $25 a barrel, the largest one-day rise in history. As the week progressed, global markets lacked real direction as uncertainty over the completion of the rescue plan remained in focus.

Augean plc, the hazardous waste management company announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30. The Wetherby-based company said that revenue had increased by 48 per cent when compared with the same period last year.

However, the jump in revenue was not reflected in group's pre-tax profit (before exceptional items) which fell to £1.21m from £2.02m. CEO Paul Blacker stated that the board were confident of delivering a strong performance in the second half and were optimistic that current year market expectations would be achieved.

In contrast to the healthy profit of £763,000 which was achieved in the six months to June 30 last year, Straight plc, Europe's leading supplier of recycling containers, reported a loss of £936,000 in the corresponding period this year.

The company confirmed that the strong performance in the group's core trade business during first half of the year had been more than offset by the difficult trading conditions in the consumer retail business.

On a positive note, the Leeds-based company said that the order book currently stands at a record £9m, the majority of which is scheduled for delivery in 2008.

Inditherm plc, the provider of innovative heating solutions released excellent interim results for the six month period ended June 30.

The Rotherham-based company, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, said that group turnover had increased by 43 per cent to £1.26m compared with £880,000. A 58 per cent increase in gross margins was another contributory factor that helped the AIM-listed company turn a small pre-tax profit of £22,000, which compares favourably against the £287,000 loss reported a year earlier.

York-based Mount Engineering plc posted encouraging preliminary first half figures for the period to June 30.

The company said that revenue had increased 8 per cent to £5.83m compared to £5.39m a year earlier and profit before tax was £1.53m, 17 per cent higher than the £1.31m achieved
in 2007.

The chairman, Colin Ainger, confirmed to the market that the second half of the year had started well, with the Ex-certified business set to benefit from a price increase that was negotiated to offset the recent fluctuations in raw material costs.