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DIY retailers such as Kingfisher-owned B&Q will get a boost from the housing market recovery as consumers spend on home improvements, the Sunday Express reported citing corporate health specialist Company Watch. After a wretched few years, UK DIY retailers, which also include Wickes and Homebase, could benefit from the halo effect as counterparts have done in the US, where Home Depot, had a 10% rise in like-for-like sales in its most recent quarter, Company Watch said.

The UK’s largest fund seller, Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) will be reporting its finals on Wednesday, with it’s results expected show the benefits of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). In April, its assets under management (AUM) soared to a record £4.7bn in the first three months of the year, and it was tipped by the Times Tempus column “as one for the long term.” The group also recorded quarterly net inflows of £1.80bn during the period compared to £1bn the same time a year earlier. Year-to-date revenue is up by 24% to £216.6m and new active Vantage clients increased 30,000 in the quarter. On balance there seems to be little standing in the way of further progress for the funds group at present.

Following the provision of the loan above, John French, through Spread Trustee Company Limited on behalf of The French Settlement, and Bob Morton, through Hawk Investment Holdings Limited, have provided loans totalling £251,500 and £285,000 respectively demonstrating their commitment to the future of the Company. Trading Update The Company is pleased to announce that it has been advised that it has secured, in competition with other parties, an important new contract from a leading name in the insurance sector. Terms have been agreed and we expect the contract to be signed in the near future when details will be announced. This confirms that RiIG is continuing to move forward on a positive platform based on increasing business from existing and new clients. This win follows the contract wins referred to in the RNS announcement of the 25 June 2013.

Notice of Results, Loan, and Trading Update Fri, 30th Aug 2013 17:51 RNS Number : 9328M Resources In Insurance Group PLC 30 August 2013 ? RESOURCES IN INSURANCE GROUP PLC ("RiIG", the "Group" or the "Company") Final Results, Related Party Loan and Trading Update Final Results Further to the Company's trading update announcement of 25 June 2013, the Board of RiIG, a leading provider of claims management and consultancy solutions to the UK insurance profession, announces that its Audited Results for the 15 months to 31 March 2013 will be released no later than 30 September 2013 rather than today as previously announced. Related Party Loan To support the uplift in trading primarily through new business, the Board has secured additional working capital via the provision of loan capital of £150,000 from a significant shareholder, Bob Morton via Hawk Investment Holdings Limited. The interest on the loans is 1 per cent per month, payable monthly. The loan is repayable in August 2014. As Hawk Investment Holdings Limited is connected to Bob Morton, a substantial shareholder, the loan is considered to be related party transactions pursuant to Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. The Company's directors, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, Zeus Capital, consider that the terms of the loan are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned.

Imperial Tabacco Group: Investec moves target price from 2440p to 2475p reiterating a buy recommendation.

IMI: HSBC increases target price from 1530p to 1675p, while downgrading to neutral.

Hunting: JP Morgan takes target price from 727p to 752p, while leaving its underweight rating unaltered.

G4S: Exane moves target price from 240p to 260p staying with its neutral rating.

Diageo: JP Morgan revises target price from 2150p to 2200p and retains an overweight rating.

Darty: N+1 Singer ups target price to 85p, while downgrading from buy to hold

Chemring: JP Morgan increases target price from 300p to 325p and maintains an overweight rating.

Cape: JP Morgan takes target price from 308p to 323p and stays with its overweight rating.

BAE Systems: Bank of America raises target price from 328p to 412p, while staying with its underperform rating.

Positive Points: Group organic or like-for-like revenue growth of 8.8% was reported, reflecting the benefits of global portfolio breadth according to management. The company's AMEAA (Australasia, Middle East, Asia and Africa) business reported revenue growth of 19%, with significant volume-related growth in immigration services. Management noted that "the overall outlook remains positive." For 2013, an improvement in the rate of organic revenue growth is expected for the year as a whole. With regards to PECS, Serco noted that it "found no evidence that this misreporting was undertaken with the knowledge or approval of management outside the contract." Investment in contract bidding and new market development activity has increased. The company's Global Services business reported growth of 18%, supported by the particularly strong level of contract awards during 2012. A dividend policy to increase the total dividend each year broadly in line with the increase in its underlying earnings, was previously outlined. The half year dividend per share was increased by 17% to 3.1 pence. Serco's international portfolio provides resilience and growth.

Negative Points: An investigation has been launched into the misreporting of data in relation to its Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contract to the City of London Police. Serco has agreed with the Ministry of Justice a three-month programme to restore performance on the PECS contract. If at the end of this period, Serco meets the performance requirements of the contract the contract will be retained by Serco. The costs of this improvement programme will be borne by Serco and any profit earned since the contract was renewed in 2011, estimated to be around £2 million, will be repaid. Serco will also forgo any future profits on the contract. The PECS contract was awarded in March 2011 and valued at approximately £285 million over 7 years. The UK government previously announced an investigation into the charging of services provided by both Serco Group and G4S. Uncertainty with regards to the findings of the investigation and its possible impact going forward currently persists. On the back of two recently announced investigations, the company's reputation and ability to win new contracts has arguably been dented. The company's adjusted operating margin from ongoing activities reduced by 0.23% to 5.7%, reflecting investment in contract bidding and new market development activity. Group order book of £18.5 billion as at 30 June 2013 (£19.1 billion at 31 December 2012). The company's Americas business reported a 3% decline in revenues reflecting a challenging US federal contracting market. The group's US federal market remains challenging. Serco makes around a fifth of its sales in the US, primarily from federal government. Rather than outsourcing work such as defence, some arenas may simply be axed altogether by governments. Serco operates in a highly competitive market. The company is exposed to political risk given that a vast majority of its revenues are exposed to the public sector.

Financial Highlights: Adjusted revenue (ongoing activities) rose by 11.8% to £2.55 billion. Group organic revenue growth of 8.8% Adjusted operating profit (ongoing activities) increased by 7.5% Adjusted operating margin from ongoing activities reduced by 0.23% Dividend per share increased by 17% to 3.1 pence

Half year results: The group's results proved to be overshadowed by an additional announcement from Serco in relation to the misreporting of data in relation to its Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contract to the City of London Police. The group's share price fell by over 12% in mid morning trading. Under the contract Serco is required to deliver defendants to Court, and its performance is measured against the delivery of a defendant being 'Designated Ready and Available for Court Time' (DRACT). Serco management has identified misreporting of DRACT data. Serco has agreed with the Ministry of Justice a three-month programme to restore performance on the PECS contract. As for the results themselves, the figures proved to be broadly in line with expectations. The CEO noted that "the strong financial performance over the first six months of 2013 has met expectations. Overall guidance for the full year is unchanged and the outlook remains positive." In all, and weighing ongoing desire from governments and companies to cut costs and management's current positive outlook comments against uncertainty in relation to now two investigations at the company

Positive Points: In March 2013, Admiral launched a new price comparison operation in the US, trading as comparenow.com. The insurer said it has always maintained a low-risk investment strategy. In its core UK market, focus remains on margin over volume. Admiral's International Car Insurance businesses continued to grow, delivering an overall increase in turnover of 20% to £95.5 million and insuring 25% more vehicles at 30 June, when compared to a year ago. Confused.com delivered a strong first half performance, advancing profits by 21% to £10.2 million. The group confirmed that its financial position remained strong, with no debt.

Negative Points: The insurer operates in a highly competitive insurance space. A renewed outbreak of price competition in the UK motor insurance market could affect operating profit margins. Regulatory interference could have a negative influence on future business development. The Group has exposure to foreign exchange risk through its expanding overseas operations.

Financial Highlights: Admiral unveiled profits before tax of £181.4 million, up 6%. Group turnover slipped 7% to £1.08 billion. Vehicle count improved 3% to 3.6 million. The board have proposed an interim dividend of 48.9p per share, an 8% increase from the 45.1p it paid a year earlier.