Business round-up: 15 May 2007

Barnes.
The components manufacturer has won the thumbs-up from analysts after posting strong first-quarter sales growth. Barnes' management has raised its 2007 earnings per share guidance by 14%. Bank of America analyst Robert Stallard says the strong start to the year displayed "impressive operational characteristics". He adds: "We also note management setting itself aggressive targets as a matter of public record and we expect this to be well received by investors."

easyJet.
Its share price plunged on the back of concern among investors that the airline would continue to see pressure on fares. First-half losses (October 2006-March) were more than halved, posting a level of £17 million ($34 million) compared with £40 million in the same period the previous year. But shares dropped almost 20% in the following days on the London Stock Exchange after chief executive Andy Harrison revealed that revenues per seat had fallen over the past year.

"UAVs are an important sector, and commercial UAVs are particularly promising. But in the short term the only people making money out of UAVs are conference organisers."

Gareth Evans, head of AT kearney's European aerospace and defence practice