YP75: BP in the headlines as markets endure a roller-coaster ride

However, the markets did see some positive news later on in the week as Chinese exports jumped.

While the volatility in the markets persists, there is no doubt that BP continues to dominate the headlines.

Having knocked back reports that it has decided to defer its second-quarter dividend to appease US politicians, Chief Executive Tony Haywood has now told investors that the company are considering all options on the dividend, but no decision has been made.

Increasingly, pressure is now falling on PM David Cameron to defend British interests given President Obama's aggressive stance on the situation.

The outlook appears promising for Carclo plc, the global supplier of technical plastic components, after announcing that its smartphone technology is expected to significantly enhance revenue in the years ahead. The company's Conductive Inkjet Technology (CIT) is being used to develop a new touch-screen product with its latest partner, Atmel Corp, the US-based semi-conductor manufacturer.

With the product expected to have a superior performance and lower production costs to the existing sensors, the Ossetbased company is confident the technology will be a key driver of growth going forward.

Having developed the technology through 3.67m of fund-raising last year, the management believe that the company will see some revenue and

profit impact by the end of fiscal 2011.

Elsewhere, Leeds-based Premier Farnell continues to see robust sales growth after a good first quarter and now remain on track to return to the activity levels seen prior to the recession

The international electronic products distributor reported a 20 per cent rise in revenue, from 204.3m to 244.9m, for the quarter to the end of April, having benefited from strong overseas sales growth.

The firm currently exports to the electronic markets of China, India and Eastern Europe and is hopeful that its forthcoming entry into South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan markets will drive future sales growth.

In addition, the company announced that pre-tax profit more than doubled, to 22.2m from 9m in the same period a year earlier.

Equipment rental company VP Group plc announced that it hopes to cut its net debt by an additional 10m in fiscal 2011.

The Harrogate-based company, which operates in the construction and oil and gas sectors, managed to reduce its net debt to 17.5m, from 48.3m in the year ended March 31 2010.

The company appears to be making headway and has agreed new financing terms which has seen it obtain a 35m credit facility through to 2013 replacing the existing facility which expires in November.

Edward RH Marsden, Assistant Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin, Leeds