Member Info for jange

Tony Foye, the new Executive Director of Wilmington Group, a financial and legal training provider, has bought up 385,000 ordinary shares, significantly boosting his share in the company to 435,000 shares. Foye joined the firm at the beginning of last month and is to become the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company in November, replacing Basil Brookes, who is set to retire from the group at the end of the year. Foye purchased the shares at 130p each for a total of £500,500. The company last month reported increased profits as it successfully chased higher margin work over the 12 months to the end of June. Adjusted profits before tax for the full year were £14m, a rise of 4.6% on the prior year, with earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) up 10.2% to £16.5m. The firm's share price has risen 49.5%, equal to 45p, in the past year, with the majority of the rise occurring since mid-July, when the company revealed its earnings had been boosted by cost reductions that were implemented last year.

Brownfield property firm Inland Homes said it had been chosen to work on plans to redevelop a former Ministry of Defence site. The firm said it was working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the Ministry of Defence), South Bucks District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council to create a development brief for the Defence School of Languages site at Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. The 90-acre site has been identified by South Bucks as a potential high-quality residentially-led mixed-use scheme. Inland said the process would involve extensive public consultation, giving the local comment a chance to shape the future development of the site, which has been deemed redundant by the MoD. "As highly experienced developers with particular expertise in creating new communities on challenging sites, we are looking forward to establishing a very special new neighbourhood that will flourish and integrate well within its sensitive surroundings," said Inland's Land Director, Paul Brett.

Consensus forecasts for the year ending December 31st 2012 are for pre-tax profits of £11.5m, on turnover of £213.3m, putting it on a forward price earnings ratio of 14.3.

Scapa, which supplies adhesive bonding for electronics and medical equipment, reports that current trading is in line with expectations against continued macroeconomic uncertainty. In a trading update for the six months ended September 30th 2012, it says: "Group revenue and operating profits are ahead of the same period last year and in line with expectations. The operating profit continues to improve and we remain net cash positive with strong cash flow increasing net cash to £8.5m." Webtec Converting, the US healthcare acquisition made in December 2011 for an initial consideration of $30m (a further payment of up to $15m is dependent on hitting profit targets), continues to perform well and make a positive contribution to group performance. The AIM-listed company, with a market cap of approximately £98m, expects to announce its interim results on November 27th, 2012.

Speech recognition software specialist Eckoh has had its contract with cinema operator Vue Entertainment renewed for another three years. Eckoh supplies the technology which provides cinema listings information and ticket booking options over the phone. The contract, which runs until October 2015, has also made provision to include social media monitoring and broader customer interaction that will make additional use of Eckoh's multi-channel service capability.

oil and gas engineering services business, Plexus, which has secured a £1m contract to supply its POS-GRIP technology well-head equipment to Lotos Exploration & Production Norge, a new customer for Plexus. The contract is for a two year period and can be extended for an additional year. Revenues are due to commence November 2012.

Lo-Q has announced its second contract win of the week, as an unnamed major US theme park operator has signed up to use the firm's virtual queueing system at two sites in the US. Revenue associated with the agreement is expected to scale gradually, over time. In addition, the deal grants that Lo-Q's virtual queuing systems may be extended into additional theme and water parks within the USA and globally.

On the plus side, private jet revenues rose 8% to £44m, driven by selective investment in sales. Although, even here, underlying profit before tax fell 15% to £1m. The group is looking to increase market share after investing into the oil and gas sector, which should help offset lower revenues in other parts of the business. "Overall, we maintain a cautious view for the year ahead but I have every confidence that in spite of the low visibility inherent in our industry, we are positioning the group to achieve growth in our key target areas that will cement Air Partner's position as a leading global aviation broker," said Chief Executive Officer, Mark Briffa. The company is debt free with cash of £15.7m, quite sizeable given its market cap is only £27m.

Air Partner, an aircraft charter broker, saw full year revenues and profits drop, which it blamed on a tough economic environment and going up against good numbers in the corresponding period of the previous year. Revenues for the year ending July 31st 2012 were down 19.3% at £227.6m from £281.9m the year before, with reported pre-tax profits dropping 22.6% to £4.1m from £5.3m. Underlying profit before tax, which excludes non-trading items, slumped 43.9% to £3.2m from £6.7m the previous year. Despite this, it has hiked its total dividend for the year by 10% to 18.2p per share. Air Partner revealed that the commercial jet broking sector remains challenging, with aircraft overcapacity and tough prior year comparables - due to increased charters during the Arab Spring. Revenues from commercial jet broking decreased 18% to £138.9m with a 51% fall in underlying profit before tax to £1.6m.

Semiconductor maker e2v Technologies has said that full year trading will be only 'marginally below' its previous expectations, as it anticipates a strong second half to follow on from a below par first half. In a trading update for the first half it revealed that expected revenues for the continuing business will be around £90m, reflecting the challenging external environment. However, it believes that by combining the visibility of potential revenue through the order book with continued cost control and further restructuring it will deliver "a strong second half trading performance". Keith Attwood, Chief Executive, said: "The business has responded well to the challenges in our end-user markets and the delays experienced in order bookings. The ongoing cost control, drawing on the flexible cost base we previously put in place and implementing further restructuring, has effectively maintained the profit margin of the business." Net borrowings at September 30th 2012 were £28m, compared with £32m for the same period in 2011. Although since June 30th net borrowings have increased by £10m, reflecting dividend payments, fit out costs of its new US facility and an increase in working capital mainly related to project delays.

Sportech, which supplies pools and tote betting services, is awaiting the outcome of the tribunal that was heard in relation to its VAT claim over its Spot the Ball game. The claim is for a repayment of VAT in excess of £40m (which could exceed £80m with simple interest applied). The company expects to hear the decision in January of next year.

Sportech, which supplies pools and tote betting services, is awaiting the outcome of the tribunal that was heard in relation to its VAT claim over its Spot the Ball game. The claim is for a repayment of VAT in excess of £40m (which could exceed £80m with simple interest applied). The company expects to hear the decision in January of next year.

Palmaris, an investment company with a 16.1% holding in Scottish Resources Group, which is the company's sole remaining investment, said it notes the recent negative movement in the company's share price and announced that it has resolved to recommend the cancellation of the company's listing on AIM.

Mediterranean Oil & Gas has announced that two Non-Executive Directors of the company, Salvatore Russo and Michael Seymour, will step down from the board with immediate effect. Enrico Testa, the Chairman of the Board of Telit Communications, has been appointed into the role with immediate effect. He has previous been a director at Allianz, the Managing Director of Rothschild, and Chairman of Enel.

Lighting, power and electronics system manufacturer LPA has won two lighting contracts totalling 0.7m pounds. The company also said that trading in the final quarter of the year ended September 30th remained strong, with current expectations likely to be met or exceeded. Trading since then had also been strong, the firm said, but warned conditions were "unusually good" as a result of several medium sized contracts requiring delivery over a short period of time. The current financial year is expected to be one of transition, the firm said, during which time it is committing investment to its technical, commercial and sales resources to secure the opportunities it sees for the future growth. LPA is currently waiting on a decision for a planning application for a housing development on its Tudor Works site in Saffron Walden, and is about to submit a planning application for the Shire Hill factory it acquired in Saffron Walden for its modification and refurbishment. Peter Pollock, Group Chief Executive said: "Investors may deduce from this statement that the group is confident about future progress in the medium and longer term. We are excited about the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead and will keep investors informed of progress."

Michael Page: Credit Suisse keeps underperform rating and 335p target.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson: Citigroup ups target from 800p to 810p, neutral rating kept.

Informa: Investec keeps hold rating and 410p target.

Home Retail: Panmure Gordon keeps sell rating and 51p target.

Hays: Credit Suisse keeps neutral rating and 85p target.