DAWSON HOLDINGS PLC (DWN.LN), a newspaper distributor, Friday said it has lost a GBP30 million contract with News Corp. (NWSA).

Dawson said News International Distribution Ltd., a unit of News Corp., told it Thursday it intends to change its distribution arrangements and will stop using Dawson's services almost immediately.

At 0745 GMT, shares -2 pence, or 28.5%, at 5 pence.

FORMJET PLC (FMJ.LN), an alternative software vendor, Friday said it has signed an agreement to dispose of Panda Software (UK) Ltd. for up to GBP1.4 million in cash, subject to shareholder approval, as it also announced a new chief executive.

In a statement, the firm said the sale also includes an earn-out payment of GBP200,000. It said although Formjet will continue with the same business model, the size of the transaction constitutes a fundamental change of business, which means shareholder approval needs to be sought.

At 0745 GMT, shares +0.1 pence, o r 36%, at 0.38 pence.

ALEXANDRA PLC (AXD.LN), a medical, hospitality and catering clothes maker, Friday said it will continue to focus on its costs as first-quarter sales were down around 13% on last year.

However, the company said it is negotiating several potential new contracts and the firm remains cautiously optimistic of its prospects.

At 0745 GMT, shares -2.5 pence, or 2%, at 115.5 pence.

XPLOITE PLC (XPT.LN), an information technology services group, Friday posted a slightly reduced first-half pretax loss, following the disposal of its Anix business and a slight rise in sales, and said it is now considering new acquisition opportunities.

In the six months to April 30, the firm made a pretax loss of just over GBP1 million, compared with a pretax loss of GBP1.3 million a year earlier.

At 0745 GMT, shares +1 pence, or 2%, at 50 pence.

HARVEY NASH GROUP PLC (HVN.LN), a recruitment and IT outsourcing company, Friday said first-quarter sales rose 3% on the year and although its market remains weak, it continues to gain market share.

In a trading statement covering Feb. 1 to June 19, the firm said it traded in line with its expectations in the first quarter ended April 30, although it didn't provide specific figures.

At 0745 GMT, shares -0.5 pence, or 1%, at 40 pence.

DAIRY CREST GROUP PLC (DCG.LN) Friday said it has bought an insurance policy to cover some of its pension scheme liabilities.

The dairy company said it bought a bulk annuity policy from Legal & General Group PLC (LGEN.LN) for GBP160 million to cover pensions already being paid. The insurer will now pay those pensions.

At 0745 GMT, shares +0.5 pence, or 0.16%, at 317 pence.

CRAWSHAW GROUP PLC (CRAW.LN) Friday said it raised just under GBP900,000 to fund the opening of new butcher shops.

Crawshaw said Isis Equity Partners LLP agreed to subscribe to 5.3 million new shares at 17 pence a share, a 3% premium to Thursday's closing price of 16.5 pence.

At 0745 GMT, shares flat at 16.5 pence.

MAVINWOOD PLC (MVW.LN) Friday said it expects weaker trading from both its main businesses in 2009 and is having positive discussions about a refinancing.

The company, which provides emergency repair and document handling services, said its document handling division has had a "satisfactory" performance to far this year but expects trading overall to be weaker than 2008.

At 0745 GMT, share flat at 2.25 pence.

AFRICAN COPPER PLC (ACU.LN), a copper mining company, Friday said it has agreed a $31.1 million refinancing with Zambia Copper Investments Ltd.

African Copper subsidiary Messina Copper owed Zambia Copper money, and the two firms Friday said they agreed a $31.1 million term loan facility to replace a series of bridge loans made to Messina.

At 0745 GMT, shares flat at 8.25 pence.

PAN AFRICAN RESOURCES PLC (PAF.LN), a gold miner, Friday said it agreed a share swap with Shanduka Gold Pty Ltd.

Pan African will acquire Shanduka's 26% stake in Barberton Mines Pty. Ltd. in exchange for a 21% stake in Pan African.

At 0745 GMT, shares flat at 5.13 pence.

-By Hannah Benjamin & Jason Douglas, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9298; uksmallcaps@dowjones.com

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