Member Info for mulledwine

AGM Trading Update/Interim Management Statement 24 July 2012 Halma, the leading safety, health and environmental technology group is holding its 118th AGM later today, at which Geoff Unwin, Chairman, will make the following statement which comprises the Group's Interim Management Statement relating to the period 1 April 2012 to 24 July 2012 and covers the first quarter's trading. "Trading since the start of the year has been in line with the Board's expectations. "Revenue during the first quarter was 6% ahead of last year including 2% organic growth at constant currency. Order intake was 105% of revenue and 8% ahead of last year. "As expected, trading conditions have varied across different geographic regions and market sectors although we continue to benefit from the diversity of our businesses. The Group achieved satisfactory organic revenue growth at constant currency in the UK with higher growth in Asia and the USA offsetting weaker demand from Europe. "Industrial Safety is maintaining strong progress with revenue growth in all four sub-sector businesses. Energy markets have continued to offer significant growth opportunities supported by Health and Safety requirements. "Health and Analysis is making steady progress. Water and Health Optics are performing well whilst Fluid Technology and Photonics are starting to see an improvement in demand following a slow start to the year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207240700073071I

Siteworks The Siteworks business has delivered a strong first quarter performance with divisional targets being achieved. Revenue increased by 29% to £1.2m compared to the corresponding period last year and the outlook for the second quarter remains buoyant and in line with management expectations. Pulse 24 - Automated Meter Reading (AMR) The AMR division has focussed on the renewal of existing contracts in the first 3 months of the financial year achieving a very high success rate of 98% based on the number of AMR units available for renewal. With in excess of 21,000 data loggers installed, Energy Assets currently owns and manages one of the largest independent portfolios in the UK I&C market and, although first quarter growth in AMR units has been slower than expected, the Group remains confident of increased growth for the year as a whole. Commenting on the Group's first quarter performance and outlook for 2012/13, Chief Executive Phil Bellamy-Lee said: "First quarter trading remains in line with management expectations as the Group continues to expand its I&C metering portfolio and increase its market share in line with its primary strategy. Our successful positioning as the leading independent MAM (by volume of meters owned and managed) and strong financial position gives us the flexibility to respond rapidly to future opportunities. Government regulatory requirements to ensure meters in the UK are advanced gives rise to numerous opportunities within the I&C gas industry and Energy Assets is well placed to take advantage of these. Overall, the Group remains well funded and continues to look to the future with confidence."

Interim Management Statement Energy Assets Group plc (LSE: EAS.L), the largest independent provider of industrial and commercial ("I&C") gas metering services in the UK (by number of meters owned and managed), is pleased to issue its Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012. Group revenue for the three months to 30 June 2012 was £3.7m showing an increase of 37% on the comparative figure to 30 June 2011 of £2.7m. Recurring revenue increased 33% from the corresponding period to £2.4m (30 June 2011: £1.8m), accounting for 65% of total revenue (30 June 2011: 67%). The business outlook for 2012/13 remains positive and the Company remains well capitalised with a solid balance sheet. The Group continues its active discussions regarding potential new business opportunities with gas suppliers, other market participants, and end user consumers requiring a fully integrated Metering, AMR, and Siteworks service provision. Meter Asset Management The metering portfolio owned and managed has increased by 8% since the year end to c.68,000 assets1 (31 March 2012: c.63,000) and by 33% from c.51,000 assets over the 12 months since 30 June 2011. The Group's metering assets are spread across 23 gas suppliers who represent over 80% of the UK I&C gas market by volume of gas supplied.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207240700063060I

At this SP level, CRA , in my book, is a risky speculative BUY - worth a punt - if all goes well the upside could be very rewarding from here

Executive Chairman Phil Cartmell commented "The first half has been a very busy and encouraging period for Corac. We have successfully integrated the two acquisitions, both have performed in line with our expectations and there is evidence of synergies emerging for new market and technology transfer opportunities that will benefit performance going forward. "Our intention is to build a growing British innovation led technology engineering company with technologies and customers that are leaders in energy exploitation and recovery and clean air supply in the government, energy and industrial sectors. "Corac continues to be very busy with encouraging levels of market activity; we are planning for growth."

Divisional activity · Successful integration of Hunt Graham and Wellman Defence with both businesses performing in line with expectations in the period of Corac's ownership · Wellman Defence now rebranded as Atmosphere Control International (ACI): - Positive sea trials achieved by ACI's Combined Oxygen Generation System, resulting in its inclusion in the Vanguard Class replacement programme · Good progress at Corac Energy Technology (CET): - Strengthening of management with the appointment of Dr Melanie Rigby as MD - Downhole Gas Compression programme now in final stage of development - Collaboration with partners on other programmes continues to progress well

Half Year Trading Update and Notice of Results Corac Group plc the innovative technology-led engineering group, serving the global oil and gas, defence and industrial markets is pleased to announce the following update for the six months ended 30 June 2012. Since the last Business Update was issued on 29 May 2012 the Company has achieved a number of successful milestones including the following: Trading · Group order book stands at £16.9m as at 30 June 2012 providing good visibility for second half and longer term revenues: - £2m of new orders signed by Hunt Graham since acquisition · Trading in line with the Board's expectations for the half year: - Following the successful acquisitions completed on 5 April 2012, both new businesses have contributed positive EBITDA and the full year forecast remains in line with market forecasts - Group net cash as at 30 June 2012 stood at £6.8m

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207240700063053I

Rick Smith CEO of VPhase commented: "Underlying growth in the business is excellent although we are disappointed not yet to have the benefit of one of the large contracts we are currently negotiating. Cash at the end of the half year to 30 June 2012 was £1,350,000 and the Board is confident that it has access to sufficient funds for current working capital requirements and to fund the growth anticipated when these contracts are eventually delivered."

Trading Update VPhase plc, (AIM:VPHA), a leading developer of energy saving products for residential and commercial properties today provides the following update on trading for the first half as well as growth prospects for 2012. The Company has experienced excellent underlying growth driven by its focus on the social housing sector and in H1 2012, achieved turnover growth of 326% to £657,000 (2011: £201,000). This is 49% higher than the full year turnover figure for 2011. Despite this progress, negotiations in respect of a number of large contracts that the Company would have hoped to have concluded by now have become much more protracted than anticipated. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the Company will deliver the 11-fold year on year increase in turnover necessary to meet market expectations. Continued progress is anticipated from the social housing sector where the Company has achieved substantial sales growth from around £50,000 to over £520,000 in the first half of this year. In addition, the Board anticipates that there will be an acceleration in demand from export markets. In particular the Australian contract, which was announced in March 2012, has already delivered sales some three times higher than the minimum commitment required for the period to September 2012. The order book for August stands at £200,000 and the pipeline of probable orders remains healthy.

Commenting on the update, Chief Executive Chris Jordaan said: "Following the agreed Eskom related shutdown, we successfully restarted the furnaces at the beginning of June. The start-up was a quick and efficient process, with pleasing operational results for a start-up month, and the furnaces are now at full load. UG2 is received from Anglo Platinum's CRP according to plan and contractual tonnage, since the beginning of April. "We continue to progress our cost reduction programme through the quarter despite the shutdown and start up processes. We followed on from the positive cost cutting achievements made in the previous quarter with on-going efficiencies and cost savings proceeding as planned. "With the furnaces now up and running, we look forward to the acceleration of Sky Chrome, our large, low cost, open pit mine to its intended 70,000 tonnes per month. Our strategy remains intact, channelling sales into a diversified and global market and with cost efficiencies and production on track IFL is well positioned to increase profit and cash generation."

Post period end: · Benchmark European FeCr price decreased by 10¢ to US$1.25/lb for the quarter ending September 2012.

Production Report for the three months to 30 June 2012 Highlights: · Ferrochrome production ("FeCr") of 18,505 tonnes for the quarter, down 62% from previous quarter due to financially beneficial Eskom-related furnace shutdown · Eskom electricity buy-back agreement from 1 March to 31 May 2012 concluded, both furnaces restarted in June 2012 · FeCr sales of 14,396 tonnes for the quarter, down 73% from the previous quarter, due to lower production as a result of Eskom Agreement · Anglo Platinum UG2 Chrome Recovery Plant ("CRP") delivering contractual 15,000 tonnes per month over the quarter · Mining operations produced 293,000 tonnes run-of-mine ore for the quarter, as in the previous quarter · Co-generation plant produced 3.7GWh of electricity for the quarter; 5% of total requirement · Production cost savings continued to improve; ZAR30¢/lb of the ZAR76¢/lbtarget achieved in FY2012 · Operations remain profitable and cash generative · Net borrowings of ZAR308 million at 30 June 2012; down from ZAR421 million at 31 March 2012 · Bank of China ZAR500 million banking facility rolled forward for further year · Zero fatality track record maintained, augmented by a 48% reduction in lost time injury rate

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207240700103137I

John Duffy, Chief Executive commented: "The Group has come a long way to achieve annual sales of over £200m for the first time despite very challenging market conditions. This is testament to the hard work and resilience of the management teams and the quality and breadth of products they produce. With no let up in market conditions anticipated we continue to invest in growth areas and improved efficiency to maintain this success."

Pre Close Statement Finsbury Food Group plc (AIM: FIF), a leading manufacturer of cake, bread and gluten free bakery goods, is today providing an update on trading for the full financial year, ended 30th June 2012, prior to entering its closed period. We are pleased to report that the Group has delivered another year of strong organic sales growth. This growth was seen across both of the Finsbury Group businesses. Total Group sales of £207m for the full year were up 9.4%, some £17.8m, compared to the previous year. As predicted, growth levels moderated in the second half as we reached the anniversary of last years product launches and contract gains. Sales in the larger Cake division are up 9.2% versus last year to £152m. Both UK market and export sales through our Lightbody Europe 50% JV business have shown growth with the latter providing half of the Cake growth. Sales in the Bread and Free From division continued to deliver high levels of growth, up 10% on the prior year to £55m, driven by strong growth in the fresh gluten free market and Vogel's brand growth in the speciality bread market. Our consumer markets and operating environment have continued to be challenging throughout 2011/12. Key core ingredient inflation on items such as sugar and egg in particular has necessitated price rises, continued investment and efficiency initiatives across the Group to minimise the impact on margins. We continue to trade in line with expectations and banking covenants.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201207240700053013I

Jefferies International downgrades Morgan Crucible from buy to hold, target price cut from 365p to 300p.