Member Info for courtier

http://www.hl.co.uk/shares/shares-search-results/s/shanks-group-plc-ordinary-10p-shares/news Some interesting and mostly good news about the Shanks Group. They have suffered, unfairly in my view, from being mainly in the Euro Area. They also took a knock when they turned down a take-over bid. They really do seem to know how to run a company efficiently and the shares will reflect this in the end..

August 15, 2012 Cluff Gold plc: H1 and Q2 2012 Results: HIGHLIGHTS FOR Q2 2012 21% increase in gold production at Kalsaka gold mine to 15,191 ounces compared to Q1 2012 (12,504 ounces) 5% decrease in cash cost per ounce produced to US$961/oz compared to Q1 2012 (US$1,015) due to higher grades and reduced strip ratio 2012 production guidance of 60,000-70,000 ounces maintained as production and head grade are expected to continue to strengthen in H2 Resource update for Baomahun gold project expected to be released in October following re-evaluation of structural control of gold mineralisation led by John McGloin Extensive exploration programme underway at Yaoure gold project with inferred resource anticipated by the end of 2012 17% increase in Group EBITDA to US$6.2 million compared to Q1 2012 (US$5.3 million) Cash and liquid assets of US$28.8 million with no debt or hedging

I am trying to understand Inmarsat better. It seems to me to be a communications company that works in difficult areas, remote places, ships at sea, aircraft in flight, and government security. They are currently rebranding sections of the company as "Inmarsat" which will make the name more widely recognisable I think. There seem to be few competitors in these areas, even though the general communications field is full of well known names. A more ineresting share than many and it has done very well for me, though I am glad I never invested at £8. The dividend is over 5% and growing.

The rise in price is down to unexpectedly good profits. These in turn are down to the two years of investment in information technology that Standard life have persevered with. If I knew this investment was going on then surely the analysts at Investec should do better than a rather lame "not particularly well flagged" comment.

These contract wins add to an order book at the end of June standing at £2.1 billion.

Buy now and your dividend is 9.6%. Resolution should rise with the market at least. If Eurozone and American woes will let the market rise is another question of course.

The company has payed a tranche of tax and arranged considerable loan facilities with bank Of India. The market likes the news but the fight continues in court.

Inmarsat said on today it had returned its core maritime business to growth, helped by strong subscriber uptake for its broadband terminals and price changes. The company, which provides communications to ship, aircraft and remote locations worldwide, said revenue edged up by $1 million in the first half to $684 million, while core earnings, excluding contributions from LightSquared, were slightly down at $332 million. Inmarsat said its land mobile unit was being affected by the decline in revenue from government users in Afghanistan, as well as tough comparatives a year ago when it had increased demand in North Africa and Japan. Revenue in its core maritime service business rose 4.2 percent in the second quarter to $189 million, as the number of active terminals rose 13 percent.

Panmure cuts Hansard Global Plc price target to 185P from 220P but maintains buy rating.

The Board considers the dividend to be an important component of shareholder returns. In December 2010 we set out our dividend policy for a progressive dividend where dividend cover is expected to average between 2.0 and 2.5 times through the cycle. Accordingly, the Board recommends a final dividend for 2011/12 of 4.0 pence per share which, together with the interim dividend of 1.9 pence per share gives a total dividend for the year of 5.9 pence per share (2010/11: 4.5 pence per share). This represents an increase of 31 per cent over the prior year and a cover of 2.2 times in relation to adjusted earnings per share, in line with our policy.

My last post was accidentally put here instead of DSSmith, sorry.

The Board considers the dividend to be an important component of shareholder returns. In December 2010 we set out our dividend policy for a progressive dividend where dividend cover is expected to average between 2.0 and 2.5 times through the cycle. Accordingly, the Board recommends a final dividend for 2011/12 of 4.0 pence per share which, together with the interim dividend of 1.9 pence per share gives a total dividend for the year of 5.9 pence per share (2010/11: 4.5 pence per share). This represents an increase of 31 per cent over the prior year and a cover of 2.2 times in relation to adjusted earnings per share, in line with our policy.

* On-course to deliver a result for the year which is in-line with the board's expectations * Group's forward order book stands at £2.4 billion (30 June 2011: £2.3 billion)

Since May... Acquisition of Sega project , a mine 20km from Cluff's Kalsaka. Excellent first quarter results WH Ireland stats Cluff Gold with a Buy. Cluff reports improved prospects at Yaoure Central Pit. BMO cuts Cluff to Perform from Out-Perform. Company continues to make real profits. ...Cluff has reported only good news and yet the price slides.

Resolution decided about a year ago to return £500 million of cash. What they mean by that is that they will purchase their own shares and cancel them. Having completed the first £250 million they decided to hold fire on the second tranche. They do still intend to buy back more later. For some reason this is regarded as a BAD thing by the markets. I think it is a sound company behaving sensibly in difficult times. I have held these shares in my ISA, and reinvested the excellent dividends, for about five years and see no reason to panic.

Expected dividend for 2012 is 6.6p or 4.46% at today's price. This is 12% more than 2011. 2012 is expected to rise a further 18%. The earnings per share has dropped in 2012 but is expected recover for the next years figures. Any economic recovery should be more than reflected by DS.

In spite of the troubled times I thought I should have a bank in my share ISA. After lots of searching I settled on Santander mainly because of the worldwide nature of the bank, and also because I admired the way it entered the UK market so boldly. I have at last found somebody who agrees with me. Euromoney Magazine voted Santander best bank for very similar reasons... It also pays very good dividends four times a year. Euromoney named Santander the Best Bank entity in the UK, Poland, Portugal, Mexico and Argentina. Euromoney highlights the geographic diversification and subsidiaries as key model of this recognition. "It's hard to think of a bank that has been able to cope better than Santander to the challenges overcome by Botin and his team.”

My opinion only but a sound and long term investment. Latest Financial Highlights "Revenue up 8% and underlying profit before tax up 10% at constant currency. Strong cash generation and balance sheet with core net debt reduced to £160m (31 March 2010: £186m). Funding structure diversified and maturity extended. Underlying EPS up 7% and recommended dividend increase of 8% to 3.25 pence per share reflecting increased confidence in the future. Net exceptional credit of £3.2m (2009/10: £4.5m charge)." I buy companies that I think are worthwhile and of use to the community, and reinvest their dividends. This is a company that will still be working usefully in ten years time.

Only my opinion but this is a company to watch. Latest acquisition makes them the second largest in Europe. They are serious about recycling their packaging products. "DS Smith Plc (“DS Smith” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that completion of the Acquisition of the packaging division of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) (“SCA”) excluding the kraftliner assets (“SCA Packaging”) occurred on 30 June 2012 as planned. The consideration paid on Completion was €1,582 million (£1,280 million) net of cash and external debt, €1,606 million gross. This is subject to customary post Completion price adjustments. SCA Packaging is the second largest packaging business in Europe and the Acquisition represents a significant opportunity for DS Smith to achieve its stated strategic aim of becoming the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods in Europe." They are now almost solely in packaging.

Just rose 9% this morning after approval of the new Once a Day drug delivery system. The speed of the market reaction suggests that people are watching this well run company closely.