Member Info for mulledwine

NextGen introduces new generation biomarker products for brain disorder diagnostics · Measures markers in human cerebrospinal fluid · In discussions with potential clients wishing to access product NextGen Group Plc (AIM: NGG), an AIM listed company developing its own diagnostics product pipeline and providing diagnostic biomarker development services, announces the commercialisation of a new assay for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers in brain disorders. The assay measures protein markers in human cerebrospinal fluid. The new assay will expand the product offering of NextGen's contract research subsidiary, NextGen Sciences Inc. An assay is the procedure for measuring the effects of a chemical in an organism. For example, assays are used to discover biomarkers which are used to identify the existence and progression of a disease. Biomarkers are used in clinical trials to aid in patient selection and to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug. They are also used in the development of companion diagnostics that will drive the growth of the personalised medicine market. There is a significant need for biomarkers to monitor and diagnose central nervous system disorders, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and neuropsychological disorders, within the patient care and drug development industries. The "CSFassay-human B.1.0" product is capable of measuring 173 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins simultaneously that have been identified as likely biomarkers in various central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Barry McAleer, PhD, CEO of NextGen Sciences Inc says: "This new product and those currently in development are already attracting interest in the marketplace and we are in discussions with a number of clients who wish to use these assays in their R&D programmes." The release of the CSFassay-human B.1.0 product is the second assay in the family of human CSF assays and will be followed shortly by the first generation of animal species assays from NextGen. The extension of the assays to animal species means that they can be used in early stage clinical and pre-clinical trials where treatments may be tested on subjects such as rats.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201205160700304109D

There is a strong line-up of films for the remainder of the first half, "The Dictator", "Snow White and the Huntsman" and in 3D "Men in Black 3" and "Prometheus". Whilst these film releases coincide with the forthcoming European football championships together with a challenging June comparative trading period, the Group expects to maintain revenues for the half year at a similar level to last year. Looking ahead to the second half, there is strong 3D product which includes "The Amazing Spiderman", "Ice Age 4" and "The Hobbit". These are complemented by an exciting range of 2D films including the concluding film of the Twilight series "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (part 2)", the next Bond title "Skyfall" and "The Dark Knight Rises". This attractive line up of film releases has been scheduled to take into account the timing of the Olympics. The Board remains confident of delivering growth for the year as a whole in line with current market expectations.

Interim Management Statement Trading for the period from 30 December 2011 to 10 May 2012 has been as expected. Revenues for the 19 weeks to 10 May 2012 were as follows: % change vs. prior year Total Revenues + 6.3% Box Office + 8.6% Retail + 3.9% Other Income - 10.1% Cineworld's box office market share1 was broadly in line with the same period last year at 24.5%. Box office benefitted from 3.3% more admissions, with average ticket price up by 5.0%. The removal of the booking fee and launch of the 10% discount for tickets booked online in March 2012 has driven a significant increase in registrations to MyCineworld. The positive performance of retail revenue in the period was due to the higher admissions volume. Equally encouraging was spend per person, which remained flat against the corresponding period last year and reflects favourably on our targeted promotional activities within an economic environment that remains as challenging as ever. The decline in Other Income is due to the removal of the booking fee, comparatively lower 3D glasses sales resulting from film performance, and advertising being modestly lower than the prior year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201205160700174136D

Seems all a bit static

Ian MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer of Hardy, commented: "We have initiated a comprehensive review of our long-term strategic goals and objectives in order to realise value for shareholders. We look forward to reporting the results of the review in due course but in any event, no later than September 2012."

2012 Outlook · D3 - PSDM reprocessing of 3D seismic covering the east portion of the block followed by the drilling of an exploration well in the first half of 2013 · GS-01 - Submission of a field development plan for the GS-01 Dhirubhai 33 natural gas discovery prior to the end of the year · PY-3 - Discussions are continuing with partners and Indian authorities in relation to field development options. A re-development plan with new facilities will be submitted to secure the approval of all concerned

Hardy Oil and Gas plc ('Hardy' or the 'Company'), the oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in India, today issues its Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 January 2012 to the date of this announcement. * All financial amounts are stated in US dollars unless otherwise noted. Summary Corporate · In January 2012 the Company announced the appointment of Alasdair Locke as Non-Executive Chairman · On 1 March 2012 the Company announced the appointment of Ian MacKenzie as Chief Executive Officer and Peter Milne as a Non-Executive Director. Yogeshwar Sharma, the current Chief Executive Officer, will become a Non-Executive Director at the Company's Annual General Meeting being held today · A comprehensive review, being led by Ian MacKenzie, of the Group's strategy, assets and objectives has commenced with recommendations to be presented to shareholders by September 2012 · Cash and short term investments at 31 March 2012 amounted to $34.6 million which is sufficient for the Company's committed exploration drilling programme; the Company has no long term debt Operational · D3 - The joint venture awarded a PSDM seismic processing contract for 3D data over the east portion of the block · PY-3 - The joint venture has stopped providing various support vessels and auxiliary services to the field's offshore facilities · D9 - On 23 April 2012, the Company announced the D9 joint venture's decision to relinquish the block, in which the Company held a 10 per cent interest

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201205160700174150D

Investec has cut its target price for medical devices maker Smiths Group following the firm's third-quarter trading update this morning, saying that while there was no major surprises, there also wasn't any reason to get excited. With little change in the operating performance from the interim results, Investec has left its full-year forecasts unchanged following the statement. However, it has cut its target price from 1,130p to 1,050p to reflect the recent sector de-rating. With the stock trading at 10.3 times earnings, the broker has maintained its hold recommendation on the stock

Terms of loan Hawk will lend the Group an additional £0.8 million for a period up to 23 July 2012. The loan carries an interest rate of 1% per month and can be repaid at any time at the request of the Company with no early redemption cost. The loan will be secured by way of a debenture, which will rank behind the security in respect of the funding facilities provided by GE Commercial Finance Limited. Hawk is an investment vehicle controlled by ALR Morton. Hawk owns 29.9% of the issued ordinary share capital of Armour and is deemed to be in concert with various other parties as detailed in the circular of 28 January 2011. In aggregate, ALR Morton and persons acting in concert, hold 39.1% of the issued ordinary share capital of Armour. Due to the above shareholding and ALR Morton's position as Chairman of Armour, the loan from Hawk is deemed a related party transaction under Rule 13 of the AIM Rules. The Independent Directors (being all directors excluding ALR Morton), having consulted with the Group's nominated adviser finnCap, consider that the proposed transaction is fair and reasonable insofar as the Group's shareholders are concerned.

Armour Group plc ("Armour" or the "Group") Loan facility Armour, the UK's leading consumer electronics group focused on the in-car communications and entertainment and home entertainment markets, announces that Hawk Investment Holdings Limited ("Hawk") has agreed to loan the Group an additional £0.8 million. Armour currently has a £1.2 million loan from Hawk which was announced in July 2011. Whilst Armour's automotive division has perpetuated its year-on-year sales growth and increased profitability, the ongoing weakness in consumer related markets continues to have a significant adverse impact on the Group, particularly at Armour Home. The actions taken by the Group's management, in response to these market conditions, have mitigated the impact through downsizing the Group's cost base, repositioning Armour Home and promoting the growth of the automotive division. As announced in the trading update on 2 May, the Group now anticipates returning to profit in the year ending August 2013 and continues to work on optimising its cost base and developing new markets that reduce reliance on the UK markets currently served. Armour has existing funding facilities with GE Commercial Finance Limited totalling £16 million in aggregate of which approximately £7 million had been drawn down at 30 April 2012. These facilities provide a variable level of funding due to the invoice discounting and inventory elements. Due to the lower than expected level of sales, the Group has not been able to fully utilise these facilities, and consequently, the Board has decided to proceed with an additional £0.8 million loan from Hawk to support working capital requirements.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201205150811133468D

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201205150700503275D

Soggy weather has made life difficult for the building supplies firm Travis Perkins, points out Tempus in the Times. The owners of the Wickes DIY chain may actually have stolen market share from competitors like B&Q but like-for-like sales were down in the last quarter. Trading on ten times 2012 forecast earnings the stock “warrants little more than a hold”.

Rank, the casino operator gets something of hammering from Tempus. It’s just spent £205m buying rival Gala, which Tempus thinks makes some sense, the problem is Rank is 74.3% owned by a firm called Guocco, a vehicle for Malaysian billionaire, Quek Leng Chan. This restricts liquidity and turns Tempus off, big time. Avoid is the advice.

Canaccord Genuity held on to its "buy" recommendation for NCC Group (NCC), but raised its target price from 935p to 1,000p following an impressive analyst and investor day. The security and software firm unveiled a new initiative to develop and maintain a new web domain - .secure - which it will invest 6 million pounds in over the next 15 months. Canaccord believes this could materially enhance the company's strategic position, global reach and revenue profile, and suggests there is further upside potential for its rating.

WH Ireland remains a "buyer" of Renew Holdings (RNWH) with a 125p target price, noting the engineering services company presents an attractive investment position thanks to its 6 time earnings multiple and 4% dividend yield. In terms of sector exposure, the broker believes Renew is well positioned, with much of its business focus on the energy and power markets, and added that good visibility and a strong order book bode well for the firm's results for the six months to March, due for release next week

Morgan Crucible Co Buy 11-May-12 £86,138.70 Andrew B Shilston 30,000 @ 287.13p