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Growing demand from emerging markets, such as India and China ,should be bullish for diamond prices in the medium term. Based on this positive outlook investors should consider buying shares in either Gem Diamonds and Petra Diamonds.Both miners would benefit from rising prices. At present US consumption accounts for around 40% of world demand with China a distant second at 6% to 7%.But industry giant Debeers is predicting raped expansion in the Chinese market and expects this figure to reach at least 16% by 2016. Estimates of the supply of rough diamonds suggests a stagnating picture over the next few years. RBC Capital Markets sees global production at 140 million carats in 2012, 15% below the level seen in 2008. Reflecting this imbalance the polished price index, an industry measure of the diamond market, reached its highest level since November 2008 up 9% year to date.
Why a diamond supply crisis is looming Since Jwaneng and Argyle there have only been two discoveries of any significance: Ekati and Diavik in Canada. Meanwhile demand for diamonds has steadily increased, so the producing mines have been running through their reserves. Today, the world’s diamond mines only have enough reserves to maintain existing levels of production for some 20 years. Speaking at a conference last week, Charles Wyndham of WWW International Diamond Consultants said that, while the recession had pushed back the timing of this crisis by a few years, the trend lines “remain positive, very positive”. He went on: “There is a long-term imbalance between supply and demand... it's not a question of if, but a question of when”. This sentiment was echoed by a report from RBC Capital Markets analyst Des Kilalea, who wrote that “the prospect of constrained supply and firm rough diamond prices underpins the investment attraction of the sector”. Kilalea named Petra Diamonds (AIM: PDL), Gem Diamonds (AIM: GEMD) and Harry Winston Diamonds (Toronto: HW) as his preferred stocks.
MCR told investors that it has assembled a highly promising suite of assets encompassing a range of jurisdictions and commodities, as the disposal of the Copper Flat project is due to complete in August. Mercator said its new strategic approach effectively insulates the company from project-level risks and allows it to more swiftly realise value from its asset portfolio, as and when appropriate. The company will be renamed Electrum Resources plc shortly, after receiving shareholder approval last month. The most significant event, in the six months ended 31 March, was the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Mercator’s option over the Copper Flat project to THEMAC Resources Group (TSX-V: MAC.H). Through the transaction the company will retain an indirect interest in the project. “The transaction with THEMAC in relation to Copper Flat is at the heart of Mercator’s strategy of situating its projects in development vehicles most appropriate for raising capital in order to provide them with the best possible foundation for success”, the company stated. Mercator will receive 10.5m shares in THEMAC, as well as 10.5m five-year warrants exercisable at C$0.28 per share. Subsequently, the company Mercator expects to hold 30-40% of THEMAC’s issued shares, depending on the take-up and pricing of a concurrent placing which is being carried out by THEMAC. In the current financial period, in May 2010, the project’s independent contractor, SRK Consulting, updated the historic Copper Flat resource, to estimate Indicated Mineral Resources of 107 million short tons at an average grade of 0.303% copper - equating to 645 million lbs of contained copper. Additionally, SKR estimated an Inferred Mineral Resources of 46 million short tons at an average grade of 0.240% copper, equating to 222 million lbs of contained copper. SKR is expected to complete a NI43-101 preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of the Copper Flat imminently. The company’s assets comprise of a diversified portfolio of mineral projects, a controlling interest in a steel manufacturing business, and a solar-power project. The Warm Springs project is to be developed near the Copper Flat, by Mercator’s Warm Springs Renewable Energy Corporation (WSREC) subsidiary. Alongside its development partner Remote Energy Solutions, the company intends to build a 20MW solar power plant, with the construction phase slated to start in 2011. Mercator’s 70%-owned Thailand-based steel products business, contributed £20,000 per month to the company through management fees, and subsidiary generated £3.16 million in turnover for the six month period. http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/6762/mercator-gold-reaffirms-timeline-for-copper-flat-project-transaction-with-themac-resources-6762.html
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=30978 Gem Diamonds reported that sales from its Letseng mine in Lesotho grew 20 percent year over year to $27.1 million in the first quarter of 2010, despite the number of carats sold declining 30 percent to 15,468. The result was that the average price of these stones increased 72 percent year on year to $1,753 per carat in the first quarter. Prices were 7 percent below the average achieved in the fourth quarter, which the company explained was due to the mining mix being biased toward the main pipe, resulting in a lower grade recovery. Gem Diamonds further reported that its April tender achieved an average price of $2,002 per carat, but warned that the average price may drop for the remainder of the second quarter due to smaller diamonds being recovered recently, based on plant modifications and process improvements. Still, chief executive officer (CEO) Clifford Elphick maintained a positive outlook for the rough market given restocking at the cutting centers, continued strong demand for diamond jewelry in China and India and the differing growth pace of the polished and rough prices. “The fundamentally positive supply demand picture remains,” he said. Therefore, while Letseng’s prices will likely remain below 2008 levels and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to changes in the mine’s mix, the overall positive trend in these higher-end rough diamond prices seems likely to continue.
Some 18 months after placing its operating subsidiary into administration, MCRis gaining momentum as a deal maker. The company is finalising plans to sell an option over a large copper project in New Mexico in exchange for shares in Canadian listed Themac Resources which will develop the asset. Shares mag recommends buying MCR in anticipation of the company returning to its former flagship project ,the Meekatharra gold mine in Australia, in the new manner as a shareholder rather than operator. Meekatharra was shut down in 2008 after MCR suffered from a three-pronged attack. Costs jumped by 60% rise over nine months amid a hike in the oil price. Secondly, the walls of the surprise pit section started to crack posing a threat to a neighbouring highway so mining was suspended and MCR did not have enough gold to fulfil forward-sold contracts.Finally, the Aussie/US dollar incurred sharp and unfavourable exchange rat movements. A deal is being fleshed out whereby a third party MGC will buy the mine out of administration and be 25% owned by creditors of MCR operating subsidiary-of which MCR is the largest party. MGC will then seek to list in Canada. Managing director Patrick Harford says MCR should soon end up with stakes in three quoted companies Meekatharra Gold Corp Themac Resources and Indonesia-focused Paniai Gold which is seeking to list in Australia this year.Our strategy is to find projects, the right people and the right markets for them to raise money to fund mine development in exchang for shares,adding value without having to wait for years to do physical projects ourselves. The strategy is already proven with MCR having sold down most of its stake in Australia-listed explorer Silver Swan and used the proceeds to buy the option on the copper project now to be sold to Thermac. Harford says MCR equity stakes will be held, sold or increased depending on the asset qualities and best opportunity to realise value for shareholders. MCR overheads are currently part- covered by £20,000 monthly income from a 70% stake in a profitable Thai manufacturing company bought during the recession.
Cryo-Save Group Buys Minority Shareholding Of Hungarian And Czech Republic Subsidiaries For EUR 1.4 Mln Cash - Quick Facts 2/26/2010 4:54 AM ET RELATED NEWS (RTTNews) - Cryo-Save Group N.V. (CRYO.L: News ) said it acquired remaining 30% minority shareholding of its Hungarian subsidiary, Sejtbank Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag and its subsidiary in the Czech Republic, Cryo-Save CZ s.r.o. for a total cash consideration of 1.4 million euros. Commenting on the deal, Marc Waeterschoot, chief executive, stated, "The acquisition of the remaining 30% of our Hungarian and Czech Republic subsidiaries is a logical step in their full integration into the Group, particularly as the Hungarian operation is one of our most successful businesses."
Below are the best-rated U.K. stocks based on average Wall Street analyst ratings. Each analyst rating is assigned a number ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest rating (STRONG BUY) and 5 being the lowest rating (STRONG SELL). lucky number 13 http://www.nasd100.com/2010/01/bestrated-uk-stocks-as-of-1312010.html There is a need to regulate stem cells in India Over the last few years, India has witnessed a tremendous growth in the stem cell business. Apart from many foreign companies, the industry has witnessed the mushrooming of small domestic players. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/-Streamline-stem-cell-treatment-Expert/articleshow/5521425.cms
http://www.nasd100.com/2010/01/bestrated-uk-stocks-as-of-1312010.html Below are the best-rated U.K. stocks based on average Wall Street analyst ratings. Each analyst rating is assigned a number ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest rating (STRONG BUY) and 5 being the lowest rating (STRONG SELL). 148 Antisoma plc (LON:ASM) 1.25 Strong Buy
I am not to concerned , people step down for personal or Business reasons. The Business IMO is sound , As a long term hold I stay focused on the potential market. London: British scientists have claimed to have developed a new method of isolating cancer stem cells, a research that could pave the way for developing drugs that would target the roots of the cells driving the disease. The study, which appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved better ways of using molecular markers to identify cancer stem cells and maintaining the cells in simple laboratory cultures. For the research, the team from Oxford University studied established bowel cancer cell lines instead of biopsy samples and found that the proportion of cancer stem cells within different bowel cancers varies widely, with aggressive tumours containing higher numbers, the Telegraph reported. "People have assumed that cancer stem cells made up a small proportion of the cells in a tumour, but it is becoming increasingly clear that this is not correct. The most aggressive tumours can have a majority of cells that are cancer stem cells," said Dr Trevor Yeung from the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University. Stating that compared to other cells, cancer cells are more resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Yeung said, "Cancer stem cells that have not been eradicated by the treatments can lead to recurrence of the disease and drive the growth of a tumour. "If we could develop treatments that target these cells specifically, we would be able to eradicate cancer completely," he added. http://www.zeenews.com/news599146.html
Neuralstem Announces First Patient Treated In ALS Stem Cell Trial http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176925.php 2010 should see plenty of trials with Embryonic and adult stem cells http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2010/01/nih-recommends-approval-of-another-stem-cell-line.html Babies teeth stem cells could lead to new body parts http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/whereilive/4864896.Babies_teeth
The board of directors of CAG, (the 'Board') notes the recent press speculation with regard to the Company's Zimbabwe assets (the 'Zimbabwe Assets') and is pleased to confirm that it remains the stated strategy of the Board to focus on the development of the Zimbabwean Assets. To that end, the Board continues to be actively engaged in the identification of suitable sources of finance and/or partners with which to develop further the Zimbabwe Assets, to the benefit of all shareholders and also confirms that the Company is not currently examining a disposal of the Zimbabwe Assets.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0574633.htm 07 January 2010, London, UK, and Cambridge, MA: Antisoma plc (LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) announces that its Chief Executive Officer, Glyn Edwards, will present an overview of the Company's strategy, programmes and prospects at the 28th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, on Thursday, January 14th at 11:30 PST/19:30 GMT.
Cancer is another market for stem cells to shine. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-stem-cells10-2010jan10,0,2536499.story Dr. Karen Aboody estimates that she has cured several hundred mice of a cancer of the central nervous system called neuroblastoma.
Stem Cell Therapy – the new ray of hope and key for healing blindness The trial of a latest experimental treatment based on stem cells, conducted on eight partially blind patients, has shown promising results. The patients’ vision has been greatly improved by this new treatment thereby rising hopes of finding a complete cure to blindness. http://www.thefirstreporter.com/health/stem-cell-therapy-ray-hope-key-healing-blindness/
Thank you Rosebush happy to see some one has stuck about ,have we stabilised ? I hope so. Research I feel is growing at a fast pace and it all needs collecting and storing (adult stem cells anyway) Stem Cell Research Gets a Boost From Vitamin C http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/634422.html THURSDAY, Dec. 24
Some say they hold the potential for medical miracles. Others claim they are a moral abomination. Either way, human embryonic stem cells captured headlines during the past decade in a way few areas of scientific research have before. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121974325 December 29, 2009
Trikona Trinity Capital, an India-focused real estate fund, has unceremoniously shunted out its Indian RELATED ARTICLES Rs 6,00,000 cr biz coming for family offices US nuclear firms need Indian skills to cut costs VW to set up powertrain plant in India in 3-4 years Global Hospitals to use stem cells to cure diabetes Maruti models to boast dual-fuel engines soon adviser Trikona Advisors (TAL) in the light of breaches pertaining to the terms of the 3-year old portfolio management agreement. Trikona Trinity, which has invested over $250 million since 2006, did not elaborate on the breaches committed by TAL, which claims that managed returns of approximately 86 million pounds with an internal rate of return of 97 per cent for the AIM-listed real estate fund. Trikona Trinity Capital said that the appointment of TAL will cease 60 business days from receipt of the notice of termination i.e. on 16 March 2010. "We are currently in the process of evaluating the claims which it may have against TAL in respect of its breaches of the Portfolio Management Agreement (PMA) and otherwise. We are also seeking, through its subsidiaries and investee companies, the immediate termination of all contracts in India with companies related to TAL and its shareholders," Trikona Trinity said. Reacting to the development, TAL, which has 16-member team sitting across Mumbai, New Delhi, London and Cayman Islands, feels there is no basis in fact to the allegations made against it.
http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_id=3171680
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Advanced Computer Software PLC (ASW.LN), a provider of software and IT services to the Primary Care sector, said Monday it has acquired Derby-based Healthy Software Ltd. for GBP0.9 million in cash and shares, plus payment of shareholder loans. MAIN FACTS: -HSL's principal product is the clinical software solution Crosscare. -HSL has annualised sales of over GBP1 million and EBIT of GBP100,000. With over 70% recurring revenues and recent new product development, HSL is set to deliver significantly stronger results. -The consideration will be paid GBP288,163 in cash, the settlement of shareholder loans and the issue of 1,616,971 ordinary shares in ACS, to be issued and allotted at 36.75 pence per share.
http://quote.barchart.com/texpert.asp?sym=asw.LS&code=BSTK Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Advanced Computer Software Stands To Benefit From Recent Changes To NHS IT Procurement http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/10034/advanced-computer-software-stands-to-benefit-from-recent-changes-to-nhs-it-procurement-10034.html