YP75: e30bn bail-out puts spotlight on Greece and eurozone nations

Greece, therefore, becomes the first member state to be bailed out since the beginning of the European Monetary Union more than 10 years ago.

With the immediate economic concerns for Greece seemingly easing with the announcement, attention may now turn to other member states with similar deficit problems.

Meanwhile, in the UK, volatility is likely to reign in the short term with a little over a week remaining until voters go to the polls in what appears to be the closest General Election contest in a generation.

Dart Group, the holding company of low-cost airliner Jet2.com, warned that full-year profits could be hit by as much as 2.8m due to the severe disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjalljoekull.

The ash cloud from the erupting volcano caused the grounding of the majority of European aircraft for several days.

Dart Group, which has its primary base at Leeds Bradford International Airport, was forced to cancel more than 400 flights before the air-ban was fully lifted on Wednesday of last week.

There was better news for the company, however, with scheduled booking volumes for the summer ahead of both last year's figures and market consensus forecasts.

1st Dental Laboratories expects to return to profit in the first half of this year following a series of efforts to boost productivity alongside cost-control measures.

The group reported a loss of 315,000 in the first half of 2009. With the second half of the financial year traditionally delivering stronger returns, the company expects to be able to report a full-year profit for fiscal year 2010.

The UK's largest housebuilder, Persimmon, reported a 20 per cent rise in sales on this time last year with prices remaining firm and cancellation rates at historically low levels.

The group opened a further 50 new sites during the first quarter of 2010, bringing the total number of operations to about 375. A further 40 new sites are earmarked for the second quarter.

The successful acquisition of the ex-Halifax Estate Agency branches has boosted demand at residential property firm LSL Property Services.

The group said market activity was "encouraging" but warned that the economic climate makes the outlook for the second half of the year uncertain. On a like-for-like basis, revenue from its estate agency business was up by more than 30 per cent.

Digital set-top box developer Pace expects revenues and operating margins to increase for the full year as it confirmed trading remains on course to meet expectations.

The group stated that pay TV markets continue to be positive and the company is witnessing robust demand for its products.

David Cadwallader, Assistant Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin, Leeds