Member Info for mulledwine

Goldman Sachs initiates buy on SDL, target price 915p.

Commenting on the results Dr. Don Evans, Chairman of AMS, said: "The first half of 2012 has again seen significant progress by AMS, with LiquiBand® continuing to increase its market shares in the US, another strong performance by ActivHeal® in the UK and an excellent initial contribution from RESORBA®. In addition to further gains from these parts of our business, the second half is also expected to benefit from stronger silver alginate sales, initial trilaminate foam revenues and an additional boost in the US from LiquiBand® Flex. Further out, we have a number of exciting developments coming through our R&D pipeline which, combined with further strong progress anticipated in our existing businesses, lead the Board to be very optimistic about our long term prospects."

Business Highlights: • In the US, LiquiBand® market share by volume increased to 6% in the hospital segment and 10% in the alternate site segment • ActivHeal® continues its excellent progress in the NHS, with a 40% increase in revenues • New trilaminate foam range has achieved CE certification and has now been launched • Silver alginate destocking finished and partners are growing sales faster than the wider market • RESORBA® integration is going well and progressing to plan - LiquiBand® sales in Germany via RESORBA® have increased by 15% • Own brands now account for over 50% of revenues (2011 H1: approximately 25%) Subsequent Events: • First contract award for LiquiBand® Flex with a major US hospital group, and agreements now in place with five additional US distributors • Successful contract award to supply NHS with sutures, haemostats as well as tissue adhesives from October 2012

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2012 Winsford, UK: Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (AIM: AMS), the global medical technology company, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2012. Financial Highlights: • Group revenue up 52% to £24.8 million (2011 H1: £16.3 million), representing growth of 55% on a constant currency basis¹ • Underlying like-for-like Group revenue on a constant currency basis (excluding RESORBA®) flat at £16.0 million • Adjusted2 operating margin up 660 bps to 23.2% (2011 H1:16.6%) • Adjusted2 profit before tax up 98% to £5.4 million (2011 H1: £2.7 million) • Profit before tax up 72% to £4.5 million (2011 H1: £2.6 million) • Adjusted2 diluted earnings per share up 30% to 2.27p (2011 H1: 1.74p) • Fully diluted earnings per share up 11% to 1.87p (2011 H1: 1.68p) • Operating cash flow before exceptional items3 of £5.6 million (2011 H1: £1.5 million) • €2 million of €25 million loan to acquire RESORBA® has been repaid ahead of schedule • Interim dividend of 0.17p per share (2011 H1: 0.145p), a 17.2% increase

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201209050700095022L

Britvic p.l.c. ("Britvic") and A.G. Barr p.l.c. ("A.G. Barr") Statement regarding possible merger of Britvic and A.G. Barr The Boards of Britvic and A.G. Barr note the recent press speculation and confirm that, following an approach by A.G. Barr to Britvic, they are in preliminary discussions which may or may not result in an all share merger of A.G. Barr and Britvic. A merger would create one of the leading soft drinks companies in Europe, with a strong portfolio of market leading brands. The combination would have compelling industrial logic and represents an opportunity for both companies to enhance their industry position, and achieve significant synergies and shareholder value. Discussions are at an early stage and, whilst there can be no certainty at this stage that such discussions will conclude successfully, agreement has been reached with respect to certain key aspects of the merger. It is agreed that Britvic shareholders would own 63% and A.G. Barr shareholders 37% of the enlarged group's share capital.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201209050854245302L

Cash flows and financing Cashflow generated from operations was £13.5m (2011 - £11.1m) and after £2.2m (2011 - £1.9m) of corporation tax payments, there was £11.4m (2011 - £9.2m) of free cash available for investment. During the period, the cash outflow on property, plant & equipment was £12.5m (2011 - £8.3m) which covered capital expenditure on the fit out of new restaurants, as well as refurbishment and rebranding projects for the existing estate. Overall, there was a net cash outflow of £0.8m (2011 - £0.7m inflow) and at the end of the period we had modest net borrowings of £0.7m (2011 - £6.0m net cash). Nevertheless, we are comfortable that our strong cash generation, together with the £5m short-term borrowing facility currently in place and our portfolio of freehold properties will provide us with sufficient flexibility and resources to fund our anticipated expansion plans for the foreseeable future. As in previous years, no interim dividend will be paid. Outlook It would be fair to say that 2012, with its Royal Diamond Jubilee celebrations and an extremely successful Olympic Games In London, has been somewhat atypical and greater peaks and troughs in trading have presented both opportunities and challenges for restaurant operators. The business has performed well over the summer months and while we have not seen any evidence of a sustained economic recovery, the Board remains confident of delivering further progress over the remainder of the year. Michael Carlton Chairman 5 September 2012

Chairman's statement I am pleased to report that, despite a challenging start to the year, the Company has delivered a solid performance over the first half of the year, with revenues up 14% to £68.1m (2011 - £59.6m) and adjusted* pre-tax profit up 4% to £7.6m (2011 - £7.3m). Results Revenue for the 26 weeks ended 1 July 2012 rose 14% from £59.6m to £68.1m, with gross or restaurant profit rising to £8.8m (2011 - £8.3m). Adjusted* EBITDA was up 11% to £11.0m (2011 - £9.9m) whilst adjusted* operating profit excluding non-trading items was up 5% to £7.6m (2011 - £7.2m). Adjusted* pre-tax profit was up 4% at £7.6m (2011 - £7.3m) and after a £111,000 charge (2011 - £68,000 credit) for non-trading items (see details in note 4), stated pre-tax profit was £7.5m (2011 - £7.3m). The effective tax rate for the period has been calculated at 26% (2011 - 30%). Adjusted* diluted earnings per share were 2.43p (2011 - 2.19p) and diluted earnings per share were 2.38p (2011 - 2.22p). Estate development We have launched 12 (2011 - 7) new restaurants during the period (3 of which were acquired from Caffe Uno late in 2011) and there were 193 (2011 - 168) units trading at the end of the period. These openings included a new high profile London Prezzo, located within the newly-refurbished main concourse of the Kings Cross railway station, together with successful openings in the South and South East (Cobham, Arundel and Sevenoaks) as well as the North West (Southport and New Brighton, on the Wirral). There has also been a very busy opening programme for Chimichanga, with new restaurants launched in Bournemouth, Bromley and Crawley and our successful Mexican format is now trading from 20 locations. Since the end of the period we have opened a further three restaurants, but we have also closed two restaurants, including the forced closure of our branch outside Victoria railway station where our lease has been terminated ahead of a major redevelopment of the terminus. Consequently we are currently trading from 194 (2011- 172) restaurants. The pipeline for openings over the next 18 months is well-developed and the second half will see openings in several more major cities (Bristol, Bath and Manchester). By the end of 2012 we would anticipate having opened approximately 25 new restaurants and with the landmark of 200 restaurants fast approaching, we have been strengthening the Prezzo team and increasing investment in training, marketing and other support functions within the business

Interim Results (unaudited) for the 26 weeks ended 1 July 2012 Highlights · Revenue up 14% to £68.1 million (2011 - £59.6 million) · Adjusted* EBITDA up 11% to £11.0 million (2011 - £9.9 million) · Adjusted* pre-tax profit 4% higher at £7.6 million (2011 - £7.3 million) · Statutory pre-tax profit of £7.5 million (2011 - £7.3 million) · Adjusted* diluted EPS up 11% to 2.43 pence (2011 - 2.19 pence) · Diluted EPS were 2.38 pence (2011 - 2.22 pence) · Currently 194 restaurants trading

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201209050700085012L

SP has responded well 496

Jackson National Life completes acquisition of SRLC America Holding Corp for £417 million Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential plc ("Prudential"), confirms it completed the purchase of SRLC America Holding Corp ("SRLC") from Swiss Re on 4 September 2012. The transaction, which was announced on 31 May 2012, has received all appropriate regulatory approvals.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201209050700084989L

Good solid results and current trading continues well too

Current trading Revenues for July and August 2012 are up 22% on the corresponding period in 2011 despite the Olympics taking place at that time. The Board continues its strategy of investing in UK marketing and will commence marketing activity in Italy during the second half of the year. Ed Ware, CEO commented: "We are very pleased to have delivered another strong performance during the first half of 2012, across all key measures. This performance has continued during the first 2 months of the second half of the year, despite the excitement and distraction of the Olympic Games. The sustained revenue growth across the Group has been primarily driven by the 32Red Casino and we continue to work on further enhancing the player experience as well as our marketing effectiveness. As previously stated, we intend to enter the Italian online casino market in early Q4 and we are looking forward to commencing marketing and operational activities. While we continue to focus on our core market of the UK, we look forward to utilising our Italian licence to expand the profile of the brand and to grow the business in another regulated market.''

Key points: · Record H1 Revenues, up 50% on H1 2011 · 12% increase in EBITDA before share options and exceptional items · 32Red brand set for H2 launch in Italy · William Hill's appeal over trade mark infringement dismissed · Interim 2012 dividend of 0.6p declared today, up 20% on 2011 · Current trading remains strong and in line with management expectations Key performance indicators · Active casino players in first 6 months up 81% to 31,722* (H1 2011: 17,548) · Casino player yield £457* (H1 2011: £543) · New Casino players up 93% to 18,724* (H1 2011: 9,704) · Casino cost per acquisition: £166* (H1 2011: £173)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201209050700064977L

"I am pleased with the results of our exploration work at Tamunier" said Vitaly Nesis, CEO of Polymetal. "The size of the deposit is quite substantial. However, the Tamunier project does not fit with our strategy of concentrating on higher-grade assets and we will, therefore, consider a sale or partnership to advance the development of the asset".

Polymetal International plc Maiden gold resource estimated at Tamunier exploration project. Polymetal International plc (LSE: POLY) (together with its subsidiaries, including JSC "Polymetal" - "Polymetal", the "Company", or the "Group") is pleased to announce the results of its independent resource assessment for the Tamunier project. Highlights · Snowden Mining Industry Consultants Inc. ("Snowden") has estimated a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource for the company's Tamunier project of 50Mt at 1.2 g/t gold · Further substantial exploration potential has been identified with ongoing exploration seeking to expand and upgrade the resource estimate · Polymetal will consider strategic options in relation to the project, including a JV with an exploration company