Member Info for jange

Trading statement: The market continues to reward those companies which have embraced online business and William Hill is no exception. Online net revenue has posted a 27% jump, whilst mobile turnover in the form of Sportsbook rose 260% compared to 2011. The introduction of an iPad app for Sportsbook in December will provide further opportunities in the form of another channel. Meanwhile, and more strategically, the company remains acquisitive, looking to increase its geographical footprint, whilst it still retains an extensive estate, with physical shops also on the increase. On a more cautious note, further government interference can never be discounted, competition is intense and there is always the possibility of an unfavourable run of sporting results. Nonetheless, the company’s progress has been reflected in a share price which has risen 62% over the last year, as compared to a 21% hike for the wider FTSE250. Despite this jump the shares have yet to regain former highs and the market consensus of the shares as a cautious buy may come under some upward pressure following this statement.

Positive Points: Management outlook comments were confident in tone, highlighting the group's defensive qualities but also being well positioned to deliver future growth from existing and new investments. Acquisitions in the period included the completion of Clarges in Mayfair being on track for revised planning permission application, forward funding agreed for its retail and leisure development in Hereford City Centre, a 10 acre site acquired in Lancaster City Centre for a retail led scheme, and in the City of London, a regeneration scheme at Broadgate South , with planning obtained for Broadgate Circle and working on plans for 100 Liverpool Street. The company confirmed that its Whiteley Shopping Centre retail scheme near Southampton was 85% pre-let/under offer ahead of May opening. Operationally, UK occupancy levels remained consistently high at 97.7% with rents in administration , low at 0.8% of total rent.

Negative Points: British Land remains exposed to any volatility in the commercial property sector with the prospect of higher interest rates on the horizon. The group's high weighting in commercial office space within London's financial district could provide a medium to longer term drag were there to be a major setback in the financial markets. A major downside risk for the company's UK retail holdings would be if the current slowdown in UK consumer demand were to become more entrenched. Within its European operations, which account for less than 2.5% of its overall portfolio, the group stated the environment remained difficult with consumer spending down and investor interest subdued.

Financial Highlights: British Land confirmed continued access to low cost finance of £95 million of new group facilities arranged in the quarter. The company has recommended raising its quarterly dividend payment by 1.5% to 6.6p per share. Cash and committed unused bank facilities totalled £1.6 billion at the end of the quarter, slightly lower than the £1. 7 billion recorded in September.

Third quarter interim statement: British Land said it continued to perform well and saw encouraging levels of demand in spite of tough market conditions. Despite subdued economic growth, weak consumer spending and a rise in retailers entering administration, the company said occupancy across its UK estate remained high at 97.7% in the last three months of 2012. The real estate investment trust added that it had made "good progress" on its committed office development programme with 62% now pre-let or under offer with the figure rising to 76% in the City. Good demand was also recorded for retail space with 358,000 sq ft of lettings/lease renewals, 13.1% ahead of estimated rental value (ERV). Elsewhere, management said: "All of our West End projects are on track to reach practical completion this calendar year and our remaining two City offices will complete next year. The success of our West End investment programme means that we are close to achieving a balance between our City and West End offices, a key objective in recent years.

Positive Points: Accompanying management comments noted that "we are well positioned to deliver another year of good operating and financial performance." National Grid has a number of efficiency programmes underway in different parts of its business to ensure the cost effective delivery of services and investments. Currency movements in relation to its US business can work in its favour. "National Grid's balance sheet remains strong" noted management within the update. A progressive dividend policy continues to be pursued. A one year dividend policy under which management plans to increase the 2012/13 dividend by 4% in nominal terms over the proposed dividend of 39.28p for 2011/12 was previously outlined. A 4% increase to the half year dividend payment was reported. A historic dividend yield of over 5% (as of 29Jan2013) in the current low interest rate environment remains attractive.

Negative Points: The dividend forms an important part of investor returns. Uncertainty over future policy currently persists. Management expects to announce a new dividend policy for the period from April 2013 by the time of the group's full year results in May 2013. In December, Ofgem published final proposals for the eight year price controls. National Grid and the regulator are still in negotiations. The financial performance of National Grid's UK regulated businesses is highly dependent on the outcome of regulatory reviews, which, to an extent, are outside of management control. The group is susceptible to exceptional weather conditions. Hurricane Irene previously caused damage and provided for unexpected costs at its US business, with super storm Sandy more recently impacting. Group net debt rose to £20.4 billion at 30 September 2012 compared with £19.6 billion at 31 March 2012, reflecting the impact of its ongoing investment programme. National Grid has currency exposure, in particular to the US dollar.

third quarter trading update: The announcement broadly reassured investors - the share price rose marginally (+0.3%) in opening trade. Sustained investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure, combined with a strong focus on efficiency had resulted in another solid operational performance according to management. Furthermore, in the UK and US a number of the group's regulated businesses reached significant milestones in the development of new regulatory frameworks. Management expects the deadline for communicating its final decision to the regulator (Ofgem) on its proposals to be no later than early March 2013, with the expectation that the company's new dividend policy will be announced by the time of the group's full year results in May 2013. Overall, National Grid reconfirmed its positive outlook for 2012/13, with management noting that "we are well positioned to deliver another year of good operating and financial performance." On balance, and weighing regulatory uncertainty against the currently attractive dividend payment in a low interest rate environment,

same boat lol.....

http://www.investegate.co.uk/plastics-capital-plc-(pla)/rns/trading-update/201301290700075374W/

http://www.investegate.co.uk/dp-world-limited-(dpw)/rns/dp-world-increases-container-volumes-to-56-million/201301290700045646W/

CHEMRING GROUP PLC CHEMRING DETECTION SYSTEMS AWARDED $28.5 MILLION CONTRACT Chemring Group PLC ("Chemring") is pleased to announce that its US subsidiary, Chemring Detection Systems, has been awarded a $28.5 million delivery order against a multi-year IDIQ contract to supply chemical detection systems to the US Army. The Edgewood Contracting Division of the US Army Contracting Command-APG has ordered more than 100 Joint Services Lightweight Standoff Chemical Agent Detectors ("JSLSCAD"). The JSLSCAD remotely detects and identifies multiple chemical agent vapour clouds at ranges up to 5km. These systems will be installed in the Stryker Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle. Mark Papworth, Chief Executive of Chemring, said, "Chemring continues to provide reliable JSLSCADs to the US Army, and we are proud to support the production of this critical equipment. This award is especially important in light of the current international chemical threats. The JSLSCAD offers a unique capability that provides excellent long range, chemical agent detection for the Armed Forces." -ENDS-

Challenges in BrazilDelays in project awards and local resource constraints in Brazil had a negative impact on the group's growth in the Americas, although no significant shift was seen in regional trends.

Strong cash generation was recorded in the third quarter of the year for FTSE-250-listed engineering data provider Aveva, according to an interim management statement issued by the group on Monday morning. The group, which didn't quantify its performance with numbers, stated that "good progress" had been seen during the period in the engineering and design systems division, underpinned by continued strength in oil and gas. In the group's power division, "steady growth" was reported while the marine division remained "depressed". The group added that Aveva Everything 3D had become commercially available and that the group was seeing "good levels of interest".

But the firm added that going forward, it would actively seek to sell off cyclical businesses which were unable to reach margin targets in the long term. "Over the last five years we have seen fundamental changes in our sectors which in some cases we believe are structural," Mitie said. "Whilst we see significant opportunities in many areas - for example, within energy and integrated facilities management as well as healthcare - we believe some other areas will continue to be challenged."

Outsourcing firm Mitie said it was performing in line with management expectations as strong organic growth was driven by new and expanded contracts. It continues to expect total revenue growth to be higher in the second half than seen in the first. This confidence was down to both organic revenue contributions, including its facilities management contract with Lloyds Banking Group, and its healthcare acquisition, Enara Group, the firm said. Mitie said despite on-going weak economic conditions affecting its more cyclical markets and some delays in energy infrastructure projects, the company remained very positive about the range of outsourcing opportunities across its key markets. "We are confident that we will continue to build on our long track record of sustainable profitable growth," the statement said.

Before transaction and integration costs, the acquisition is expected to enhance Anite's adjusted earnings per share in the first full year of ownership. Christopher Humphrey, Anite's Chief Executive said: "The increasing market demand for more integrated wireless laboratory test solutions makes Anite a natural fit for Propsim. "Anite's established market and technology leadership, and its substantial global sales and support footprint, combined with the acknowledged expertise and market leading channel emulation solutions in the Propsim brand, creates a dedicated supplier with a more complete product offering. "The product line we are buying is an excellent addition and a good fit with Anite's Handset Testing business and the acquisition is expected to be enhancing to adjusted earnings."

Anite, which provides software solutions to the international wireless and leisure travel industries, has acquired the Propsim channel emulation product set of Elektrobit Corp., of Finland. The product set is being bought for €31m (around £26m), which will be paid in full in cash on completion on January 31st 2013, on a cash free/debt free basis, from Anite's existing cash and banking facilities. Propsim, which develops radio frequency channel emulation test equipment, comprises a range of radio channel hardware and software products, associated research and development capability, as well as sales and marketing capacity. In the year ended December 31st, Prosim's revenues are expected to be reported at €16.1m with an operating profit of €1.3m.

The airline flew 17.3m passengers, up 3.0% per cent on the previous year, who paid, on average, 8.0% more for their tickets. Unit costs rose 11% mainly due to a 24% (€81m) increase in fuel. Stripping out fuel, costs rose by 4%. "Our tight cost management, at a time when competitor costs are rising faster, will enable Ryanair to expand our price and cost leadership over all other EU airlines for the foreseeable future," said Chief Executive Michael O'Leary.

Ryanair said an eight per cent rise in average fares helped it beat expectations in the third quarter. The firm said yields were boosted by stronger pre-Christmas bookings, while lower than expected operating costs meant profits were better than forecast. However the airline said fourth quarter passenger numbers were expected to be around 3% fewer than the previous year. This was due to it grounding up to 80 aircraft to limit the impact of high oil prices, airport fees at Stansted and Dublin, and weaker demand, it said. Despite this, the airline now expect full year profits to exceed previous guidance of €490m to €520m. It expects that number to rise close to €540m, a 7.0% increase on last year's profits. The firm reported profits of €18m over the period, 21% on the three months to the end of Dcember 2011, while revenues rose 15% to €969m.