Member Info for jange

Half year results: The results make tough reading - losses have exceeded forecast, with expectation for a small full year profit now moving to a loss. Despite a reasonable performance on the revenue front, rising costs continue to thwart the airline. The weaker Euro has proved a factor, whilst reduced fuel cost hedging and the hit to staff productivity suffered via the takeover of BMI also impacted. Difficulties for the Spanish economy continue to take their toll on Iberia (27% of the group's external turnover), whilst Cargo revenue had declined (-0.3%), potentially hit by the weakening global economy. More positively, British Airways is making progress, whilst the company's cost saving programme remains on track. The integration of BMI is proceeding to plan, whilst the launch of Iberia Express - its low cost alternative - has made a promising start

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A (IAG) is a major international airline company formed via the merger of the former British Airways and Spain's Iberia airline.

Think ive broken one of my golden rules....ive been topping up ntog on the lows this last week ive got abit to much risk i think.......Anyway look out for an email tomorrow,im going to ask you a favour while im in cyprus,i fly out for two weeks on sat 4th aug.......

Hi mate how are you today......

In Europe results are in line with the firm's plan. "In the UK rail sector sales and new opportunities have been particularly strong in the period. We are working with an increasing number of German clients internationally, particularly in the Middle East," Hyder said. "Although market conditions remain challenging, the group's favourable market positioning, strong order book, broad international base and balance sheet strength give us confidence for the year ahead." The group remains in a strong financial position and has operated throughout the period with substantial net cash balances, and significant headroom against its banking facilities.

Hyder Consulting joined the growing throng of companies reporting 'challenging' conditions, though the multi-national design and engineering consultancy said it is doing all right in the circumstances. The firm's Australian business has continued to perform well, with the acquisition of GW Engineers providing new opportunities in the resources sector and the integration is progressing as planned. In China, following some contract delays, the firm has concentrated its resources further to those areas and sectors where it has an established competitive advantage. In the Middle East the company's results are improving as it mobilises on a number of new projects in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Working capital in the region has been reduced since the year end due to improved payment terms on new public sector projects and progress on delayed contract settlements.

Australia-based cleantech investor Wasabi Energy has said its Chinese licensee, Shanghai Shenge New Energy Resources Science and Technology Company (SSNE) has signed a design and technical services agreement with China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) for the design of a 4.0 megawatt electrical Kalina Cycle power plant at their Hainan petrochemical plant. The plant will capture waste heat from the paraxylene process stream and turns it into zero emission electricity as well as reducing the overall greenhouse gas emissions from the petrochemical plant.

NCC Group, a provider of escrow and assurance services, has acquired US-based Matasano Security, an independent security research and testing services provider, for a maximum consideration of £8.4m ($13.0m) in cash. The initial payment is for £4.2m, with a further two payments to be made depending on the firm's performance. The purchase will substantially increase the firm's presence in New York and Chicago and will be immediately earnings-enhancing.

Healthcare Locums has said its UK gross profit in the first half of the year has been below management's expectations as a result of continued delays in the tendering processes of several national and regional NHS procurement frameworks that have affected the timing of HCL signing supply agreements. Trading in Australia has also suffered, but its performance is expected to improve in the second half as Australia moves into its seasonally busier time of the year. Overall adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation will be negative for the first half. Cash at the end of the period fell from £14.2m at December 31st to £10.3m.

Positive Points: In spite of investor uncertainty, Schroders saw £1.9 billion of net inflows to its intermediary business in the first half of 2012, and reported that two thirds of its funds outperformed their benchmarks. The blue-chip asset manager continues to enjoy diversification in both product and client type, along with its geographical footprint. The group had previously noted that two thirds of group revenues arose from clients outside of the UK. In May, Schroders announced that in conjunction with Axis, it wanted to build a significant asset management player in the Indian market, with the intention of being able to distribute Axis funds internationally. The Board has declared an unchanged interim dividend of 13 pence per share.

Negative Points: "Investor demand across our business will be affected by the high level of macro economic and market uncertainty which we expect to persist for the remainder of the year," the company said. Net revenues in Private Banking were down nearly 10% at £52.6 million and profits fell to £10.4 million from £12.3 million, an indication that clients became more defensive. At the heart of any asset manager is the investment team. As with any fund management business, there is a risk that if a "star" manager leaves, investors and assets under management may follow. Schroders has significant exposure to UK, European and Asian equity markets. Increased competitive pressures could dampen revenue margins. The Financial Services Authority's Retail Distribution Review (RDR) continues to provide a degree of uncertainty.

Financial Highlights: Pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June were £177.4 million, down 17% from £215.7 million in the first half of 2011. First half net inflows of £ 2.7 billion were well above forecasts, buoyed by a £1.9 billion inflow of cash into its institutional asset management business. Total assets under management stood at £194.6 billion, which compared with £199.6 billion at the end of March.

Half year results: The fund manager has recorded a 3.9% increase in assets under management (AUM), but pre-tax profits revealed a 17% fall when compared with the first six months of 2011. The company said retail investor demand had been hit by a "very uncertain" outlook both for economies and markets, in Europe in particular but also in Asia. "Investor demand across our business will be affected by the high level of macro economic and market uncertainty which we expect to persist for the remainder of the year. In this challenging environment our broad product range and global client base is resulting in a resilient performance," the group's statement said. We believe that the current market consensus opinion of a weak hold will remain in place for the time being.

Company overview The Group's core activity is that of fund management services. The group manages over £180 billion for a variety of institutional and retail clients. In addition, the group provides private banking facilities to high net worth clients.

Positive Points: Aggreko's exclusive contract (£55 million) to supply temporary power for the London Olympics is believed to be one of the largest in the world for a major sporting event. In International Power Projects, the company sees a strong year ahead in terms of revenue growth, as evidenced by the record levels of its order book. The company said it would spend about £415 million on its fleet in 2012, in line with its previous guidance. The group opened a new manufacturing facility in Scotland. Aggreko enjoys high barriers to entry through its fleet and global network of depots. The company's international business accounted for 54% of fleet investment. The acquisition of Poit Energia supports Aggreko's strategy of expanding its Local businesses in fast growing economies. Diversity of both customer type and geographical location is enjoyed.

Negative Points: European operations saw a mixed performance, reflecting the poor economic conditions. Rental revenue decreased 2% with decreases seen in other parts of the UK, Germany and Italy. New entrants may be attracted into the market by Aggreko's high returns. With much of the group's business conducted overseas, currency movements can potentially impact. As a highly operationally geared business, any unexpected shortfall of revenues would affect profits. With a large portion of revenues under short-term contract and near-term demand, forecasting growth prospects can prove potentially unpredictable. Uncertainty for the economic outlook in many of the group's markets remains a concern.

Financial Highlights: Pre-tax profit advanced to £148 million from £121 million a year earlier. A rise of 23%. Revenue climbed 15% to £734 million, from £637 million. At 30 June, net debt stood at £678million. Aggreko is recommending a 15% rise in its interim dividend from 7.2p per share to 8.28p per share.

Interim results: Temporary power provider, Aggreko delivered a strong performance in its first half and said it continues to expect another year of 'good growth' in 2012. The group stated it had made a successful start to the London Olympics, with over 550 generators and 1,500 kilometres of cable deployed on 44 sites in a contract worth around £55 million. Elsewhere, Aggreko expanded its Latin American business with the acquisition of Poit Energia in Brazil and built a new temporary power plant in Mozambique which is providing power to both the South African and Mozambique utilities. Looking ahead, management declared - "we continue to believe that we will deliver another year of good growth in 2012, and we reiterate our previous guidance of fleet capital expenditure of around £415 million." We believe that the current market consensus opinion of a buy will remain in place for the time being.

Scottish company Aggreko plc is the global leader in the rental of power generation and temperature control equipment. Headquartered in Glasgow, Aggreko serves companies across a wide range of industries, with over 140 locations offering 24/7 services in many different countries. The group is organised around two lines of business: Local business and International Power Projects. The International Power Projects business sells power, which it delivers using temporary power plants owned and operated by the company. The Local business rents equipment to customers to respond to requirements for power and temperature control.

Positive Points: Management stressed the early benefits of its actions to reshape the group to provide the right commercial models, innovation and efficiencies required. The board's confidence in the future was expressed via a 50% hike to the half year dividend payment. Both its Advanced Surgical Devices and Advanced Wound Management business reported revenue growth during the second quarter period. S&N delivered 10% growth at its Emerging and International Markets business, with China, India and the Middle East all performing strongly. Sports Medicine Joint Repair and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy both performed well in the quarter according to management. The group remains subject to occasional takeover speculation. The company had $150 million net cash at the period end, against net debt of $28 million at the end of Q1 2012 and $346 million at Q2 2011. S&N received $93 million in net cash from its Bioventus transaction.