Earlier optimism on a Spanish bank deal is receding. European markets mostly slipped yesterday, as did, slightly, the FTSE 100. It finished -0.05% down yesterday at 5,432 with Eurasian Natural Resources the biggest index loser, down -4%.

Overnight, pessimism seeped into Asian markets with the Nikkei and the Shanghai Composite Index both losing 0.8%.

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First off, high tech tools player Oxford Instruments. Full-year pre-tax profits come in at £36.1m, a substantial lift on last year's £26.7m result. Revenues rise 28.6% to £337.3m (2011: £262.3m). There is a proposed final dividend for the year of 10.0 pence (2011: 9.0 pence).

"Trading to date," says boss Jonathan Flint, "has been in line with our expectations and our markets remain strong despite continued economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe. A healthy pipeline of new product introductions is in place and we are investing across the business to increase efficiency, strengthen our market positions and drive further profitable growth."

Revenues rise 28.6% to £337.3m (2011: £262.3m). There is a proposed final dividend for the year of 10.0 pence (2011: 9.0 pence).

Next, prelim numbers from plastic packaging company RPC Group. Revenues increase £311m to £1,130m and there is 5% growth on a like-for-like basis; underlying overall volumes are on a similar level to last year claims RPS.

Adjusted operating profit improves 68% to £93.5m (2011: £55.8m) while adjusted EPS increases to 37.3p (2011: 29.9p). There's a final dividend of 10.2p recommended by the company giving a total year dividend of 14.4p (2011: 11.5p).

"The Superfos [paint-packaging] business," says the company, "has been successfully integrated and has made a significant contribution whilst the growth in higher added value products continued. Very good progress has been made towards achieving our stated 20% return on capital employed target."

Finally, Sainsbury's has announced it's snapping up HMV Group's shareholding in Anobii Limited, a social network and online retailer of e-books. It's anticipated Sainsbury's will have a 64% stake in Anobii.

Sainsbury's claims Anobii will support its drive into the online and digital entertainment market following the launch of Sainsbury's Entertainment in November 2010.

"Anobii's innovative use of social media," says Mark Bennett, Sainsbury's Head of Digital Entertainment, "is a clear differentiator. This acquisition is a valuable addition to our digital portfolio and shows our commitment to becoming a key player in the digital entertainment market."

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