Member Info for mulledwine

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207270700076436I

Lowie - absolutely agree with you there

Ralph Topping, Chief Executive of William Hill, commented: "We have seen a strong performance in our multi-channel UK business in the first half, with a good performance from both OTC and machines in Retail, and with our focus on innovation and investment continuing to deliver outstanding growth at William Hill Online. Mobile remains a top priority and continues to outperform our expectations. The William Hill Sportsbook app, which has been top-ranked since its launch in the Apple App Store in mid-February, has delivered more than 40,000 new customers. Our rapidly growing mobile business increased to 22% of our Online sports betting turnover and 11% of gaming net revenue in the first half. "We have made good progress in the period on our strategy in expanding internationally, including being awarded an online licence in Spain. It was also very pleasing to be awarded the Nevada licences in June and to complete the acquisition of the three land-based sports betting businesses. Though their contribution to the Group today is small, they represent an important strategic step for William Hill as we look to build our international business. "With further innovation to come, the Group is in good shape and the Board remains confident of its expectations for the full year."

Key points: Ÿ Group net revenue +11% and Operating profit1 +14% with innovation and investment driving market share gains by William Hill Online Ÿ Good Retail performance drives +5% net revenue growth in both over-the-counter (OTC) betting and gaming machines, and Operating profit1 +6% Ÿ Outstanding William Hill Online performance with Sportsbook turnover 33% ahead of H1 2011, overall net revenue +30% and Operating profit1 +23% Ÿ Mobile Sportsbook turnover up +390%, 28% of total Sportsbook betting in June via mobile Ÿ Basic adjusted earnings per share and dividend +17% Ÿ Nevada licences awarded to William Hill and William Hill US formed through completion of three previously announced US land-based acquisitions Ÿ International expansion continues with award of online licence in Spain, launch of Spanish regulated site (www.williamhill.es) and expansion of Italian regulated site (www.williamhill.it) Ÿ Continued strong cash flow from operations reduces net debt for covenant purposes by £61m to £355m against 27 December 2011

CONT We continue to work through all our projects in the construction phase, including Minas-Rio. Minas-Rio is one of the largest and most complex projects in the world, and certainly in Brazil. We have been working to secure permits and licences required for the project in a challenging and changing regulatory environment. Despite being granted further major licences during the period, we continue to face legal challenges to those licences awarded by the various regulatory bodies. We have deployed additional resources to strengthen the project management and permitting teams to resolve these issues but, until they are cleared, we cannot as yet with confidence determine the date for first production. As a guide, however, if we clear all the current impediments by the end of 2012 and experience no additional major unexpected interventions, we anticipate being in a position to ship our first ore in the second half of 2014. Minas-Rio is a high quality iron ore resource with very significant expansion potential and, despite current challenges, will prove to be a major contributor to the Group for many decades to come. We are sequencing investment by prioritising capital to commodities with the most attractive market dynamics and projects with the lowest execution risks. The 5 Mtpa Grosvenor metallurgical coal project in Australia is well under way, with engineering work now 50% complete as of July 2012 and earthworks have begun. I am also delighted that we have reached a successful and mutually beneficial conclusion to our community dialogue process with the local community at our Quellaveco copper project in southern Peru. This is a clear demonstration of the value we place on engagement and the development of sustainable communities as a prerequisite to our social licence to operate; we look forward to gaining our outstanding permits prior to the Board's review of the project. In Platinum, we are progressing with our review of the shape and scale of the business in order that we achieve satisfactory returns over the long term. As previously stated, we expect to complete the review by the end of the year. Our safety performance is my absolute priority and the efforts that we have made across our safety related programmes continue to have a positive effect. We still, however, have a long way to go in order to sustain the progress we have made since 2007, both in terms of lives lost and lost time injuries sustained. I am deeply saddened that seven of our colleagues have lost their lives between January and June, all at our Platinum and Thermal Coal businesses. Short term prospects for the world economy have deteriorated in recent months. Alongside continuing structural problems in the euro zone, economic growth has slowed in the US and major emerging economies, such as China, India and Brazil, albeit from high levels. Yet we see more resilient trends in the medium to longer term. Long term supply constraints across many commodities, c

Cynthia Carroll,Chief Executive, said: "Anglo American has continued its strong operational performance of 2011 into the first half of 2012, delivering increased volumes of thermal coal, copper and nickel and record volumes of iron ore from Kumba in South Africa and export metallurgical coal from Australia and Canada. As a result of markedly weaker commodity prices experienced during the first half of the year, in addition to ongoing input cost pressures across the portfolio, Anglo American reported an operating profit of $3.7 billion, a 38% decrease. EBITDA decreased by 31% to $4.9 billion and underlying earnings decreased by 46% to $1.7 billion. Successful project execution, from the three new mining operations delivered and commissioned during 2011, contributed to production growth and generated more than $650 million of operating profit. Growth projects delivered in 2011 continue to ramp up well, with Los Bronces expansion achieving 92% of nameplate capacity during the second quarter, while Kumba's Kolomela mine has exceeded expectations by producing in excess of 6 Mt on an annualised basis during the first half of the year - both considerable achievements and ahead of schedule. Beyond organic growth, we have simplified our minority ownership of De Beers through the acquisition of the Oppenheimer family's 40% interest, for which we have now received all the regulatory approvals. Our partner in De Beers and in Debswana, the Government of the Republic of Botswana (GRB), has the opportunity to decide whether or not to increase its interest in De Beers. Irrespective of its decision, the GRB is firmly committed to De Beers and our interests in the continuing success of the world's leading diamond company are well aligned. We have also chosen to increase our shareholding in Kumba Iron Ore, lifting our ownership by 4.5% to 69.7%, reflecting our view on the quality of the business and its highly attractive performance and growth profile. To ensure that we continue to deliver shareholder value and returns through the cycle, we will maintain our prudent and disciplined approach to managing our businesses and allocating capital. Despite the macroeconomic uncertainty and likely sustained higher capital and operating cost environment for the industry, we are committed to returning cash to shareholders and have increased our interim dividend by 14% to US 32 cents per share.

Projects delivered and ramping up to drive high quality production growth · Kolomela iron ore - 3.3 Mt produced in H1 2012; on schedule to produce at least 6 Mt in 2012 and full capacity of 9 Mt in 2013 · Los Bronces copper - 92% of design capacity achieved; on track to complete ramp-up by Q4 2012 · Barro Alto nickel - H1 2012 production of 12 kt; targeting full production in early 2013 · Zibulo thermal coal - ramp-up on track to full capacity of 6.6 Mtpa Projects in execution progressing · Minas-Rio 26.5 Mtpa iron ore project - licensing and construction progress hindered by legal actions · Grosvenor 5 Mtpa metallurgical coal project - engineering work 50% complete as of July 2012; earthworks under way Disciplined capital allocation delivering shareholder value · Target to maintain a strong investment grade rating · Committed to return cash to shareholders on a sustainable basis - interim dividend increased by 14% to US 32 cents per share · Sequencing investment in line with resulting funding capacity to focus on the most value accretive and lowest risk growth options Safety · 7 employees lost their lives in work related incidents - safety programmes continuing to drive for zero harm · 37% improvement in lost time injury frequency rates since 2007

Anglo American announces EBITDA(1) of $4.9 billion for the half year Financial results impacted by weaker prices · Group operating profit(2) of $3.7 billion · Underlying earnings(3) of $1.7 billion and underlying EPS of $1.38 · Profit attributable to equity shareholders(4) of $1.2 billion · Net debt(5) of $3.1 billion at 30 June 2012 (pro forma net debt of $10.0 billion)(6) Strong operational and strategic delivery · Strong production performance across iron ore, metallurgical coal, thermal coal, copper and nickel through successful project execution and asset optimisation · Kumba Iron Ore - record production of 21.6 Mt and record export sales of 20.7 Mt, up 13% · Metallurgical Coal - record production of export metallurgical coal of 8.6 Mt, up 40% · De Beers acquisition has met all regulatory approvals and the transaction is expected to complete in Q3 2012 · Increased shareholding in Kumba Iron Ore by 4.5% to 69.7% for $948 million · Agreed to acquire 58.9% interest in Revuboè high quality metallurgical coal resource in Mozambique for $555 million

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207270700086444I

NWR remains on track to meet its full year 2012 production and sales targets. As previously announced the Company expects to produce between 10.8Mt and 11Mt of coal and 700kt of coke. NWR expects external sales of between 10.25Mt and 10.5Mt of coal split approximately 52 per cent thermal coal and 48 per cent coking coal. NWR further expects to sell approximately 600kt of coke in 2012.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207270700086652I

Trading Update Whilst the Directors are pleased to report that the Company's international sales have held up well in the financial year to date, UK sales are proving to be much more difficult than previously anticipated. Retail trading conditions have remained difficult and have been further adversely affected by a number of factors and major events, namely, the Jubilee celebrations, the Euro 2012 Championship, the abnormally bad UK weather, the deepening Eurozone crisis and the on-going impact of the 2012 Olympics. The combined effect of these factors are being felt in the market generally and on Group sales in particular where we are seeing an increase in the volume of clearance sales, a reduction in normal margin sales and some retailers delaying normal stock intake. In the Group's half-year results announcement released at the end of April 2012, we anticipated that the Group's sales for the current financial year would be more dependent than ever before on the timing of the orders placed by our major customers in July and August. In view of all the above, the Directors believe that the Group will not at this point be able to achieve its forecasts for the current financial year and, therefore, anticipate the Group's results shall be below current market expectations for the financial year ending 31 August 2012. However, the Board believes that the Group's current product portfolio as a whole, together with its new scheduled introductions, will lead to a satisfactory outcome for the 2012 Autumn/Christmas selling season and provide a good start for the new financial year commencing 1 September 2012.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207270700086455I

Paul Bystrak, PHC Field Scientist, commented: "We had already seen evidence in smaller-scale studies that the long-term storability of potatoes increased following in-field Harpin treatment, so it is very encouraging to have those results verified on a larger scale. We have also demonstrated similar results in a variety of crops ranging from lettuce to citrus, so the financial savings potential for the grower should prove to be very attractive." Steve Holland, a crop consultant who conducted several of the trials, commented:"The growers we worked with in the Columbia Basin have become extremely proficient at storing potatoes, so it was heartening to see the additional benefits realized by the use of Harpin in storage. In addition, substantial benefits were also realized in each of the other trials that were focused solely on studying the yield benefits."

POTATO YIELD INCREASED AND STORAGE LOSSES REDUCED THROUGH PHC'S PROPRIETARY HARPIN TREATMENT Plant Health Care (AIM: PHC), a leading provider of naturally derived products to the agriculture industry, announces that in recent trials it was found that potatoes, when treated with PHC's proprietary Harpin technology while still in the field, produced a 4.4% greater marketable yield at harvest and a reduced loss in long-term (7-8 month) storage from 4.6% in the untreated to 1.9% in the treated tubers. The storage improvements alone are worth about $4 per ton, which equates to $20,000 for a 5,000 ton storage building. These results were achieved in trials conducted by independent crop consultants using commercial production practices in grower fields in Washington and Idaho. Harpin technology is available for all major crops. The Harpins bind to receptors on the surface of the plant leaf, causing a reaction where the plant gears up to defend itself against disease. This is the well-documented Systematic Acquired Resistance (SAR) response, which affects the yield quality and shelf life of the crops. PHC currently has several testing agreements with major companies looking at disease control, yield increase and longer, post- harvest, shelf life achieved through the combined use of Harpin and fungicide.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207270700096418I

At De La Rue plc's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") being held today, the Chairman, Nicholas Brookes, will make the following statement which comprises the Group's Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 April 2012 to today's date: First Quarter Trading "The Group's trading performance during the period was satisfactory. In Currency, while the order pipeline remains good, confirmed orders in Quarter 1 for both print and paper were lower than expected, reflecting delays in receipt of orders and the more challenging market conditions for bank note paper referred to in the most recent results announcement. We expect volumes for the year to return to the usual weighting towards the second half, unlike the previous financial year. In Solutions trading was in line with our expectations, with Identity Systems and Cash Processing Solutions trading well while market conditions for Security Products remain challenging. Good progress continues to be made in delivering the cost reductions in the Improvement Plan, which has a target 2013/14 operating profit in excess of £100m. The Group's order book at the end of first quarter was at a similar level to that at the year end with a number of important opportunities in the pipeline that are yet to be confirmed for production in the current financial year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207260700135343I

Outlook Trading in July has been in line with expectations with revenues approximately 10% ahead of the same period last year. The Board remains confident in the prospects for the full year. Peter Plumb, MoneySupermarket.com Chief Executive Officer, said: "We've maintained our strong momentum in the first half of 2012. We're on track to save customers over £1 billion this year. More households are reacting to the uncertain economic outlook by seeking savings on a range of products and services, and MoneySupermarket helps them do just that. We're one of the easiest ways for a family to save £1,000 on their household bills. "The 15% rise in revenues and 25% increase in profits were achieved because we continue to invest in the MoneySupermarket brand, in cutting edge digital marketing and technology, and in striving to be the best shop for consumers. We are continuing to recruit talented digital marketers. "We are in a structurally growing market but we will only continue to succeed if we carry on giving customers and product providers a better and broader service than they can get elsewhere. That way we can save households money, build the business and generate strong returns for our shareholders. "The proposed purchase of MoneySavingExpert.com will add to what we offer consumers. It is among the most trusted brands in consumer finance. Our two brands - while continuing to operate independently - will give us a greater ability to help more customers and will accelerate progress towards our goal of helping every consumer make the most of their money.''

Operational highlights · Market-leading position and share maintained in competitive marketplace. · Continued structural growth in our online markets and targeted investment in technology and brand building helping to improve conversion rates. · Marketing investment +8% with adjusted revenues +15%: o New TV campaign introduced £1,000 household savings message. · Digital investment is already benefiting the business: o Internal team of over 50 people continues to improve SEO (unpaid 'natural' search). SEO revenue +29%. · Proposed acquisition of MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) for up to £87m approved by shareholders subject to OFT approval: o Trusted MSE website, Forum and Newsletter (received by 5m users) performing well post announcement of acquisition.