Member Info for mulledwine

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201204270700111932C

Andy Harrison, Chief Executive, said: "Whitbread performed well in 2011/12. Sales grew by 11.2%, driven by our strong brands, with an increase in underlying pre-tax profits of 11.3%. This profit growth, combined with our good return on capital, drove a strong cash inflow from operations of £478.3 million. This funded reinvestment of £307.9 million in maintaining and growing our estate, together with a 15.2% growth in the full year dividend, whilst retaining our strong balance sheet. We remain on track to achieve our five year growth milestones. In Premier Inn UK, we have nearly 58,000 rooms in our existing estate and committed pipeline, taking us towards our 2016 milestone of 65,000 rooms. Last year we grew Costa's worldwide network by 18%, well on the way towards our five year goal of doubling the size of Costa. This growth, combined with our strong focus on returns should create substantial shareholder value. In the new financial year both Premier Inn and Restaurants have shown positive like for like sales growth and Costa has continued its good momentum, both in the UK and internationally. Trading in 2011/12 was variable month by month and we expect this to continue with short term comparatives affected by the phasing of bank holidays and the Olympics."

Anthony Habgood, Chairman, said: "Whitbread has delivered another good set of results with both the full year earnings and dividends growing by 15%. Our focus on building strong brands and meeting the needs of our customers has enabled us to perform well in tough market conditions giving us the confidence to continue to expand in line with our ambitious growth plans."

WHITBREAD DELIVERS DOUBLE DIGIT REVENUE, PROFIT AND DIVIDEND GROWTH Whitbread PLC results for the financial year to 1st March 2012 Financial Highlights · Total revenue up 11.2% to £1,778.0 million (2010/11: £1,599.6 million) · Underlying profit1 before tax up 11.3% to £320.1 million (2010/11: £287.5 million) · Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants underlying profits up 4.3% to £295.6 million, return on capital2 up to 12.4% (2010/11: 12.3%) · Costa underlying profits up 38.0% to £69.7 million, return on capital2 up to 32.4% (2010/11: 28.3%) · Group like for like sales3 up 2.6% in the year · Underlying diluted EPS up 15.2% to 134.1p (2010/11: 116.4p) · Strong cashflow from operations of £478.3 million funded cash capital investment of £307.9 million in 2011/12 and dividend growth · Full year dividend up 15.2% to 51.25p (2010/11: 44.50p) · Strong balance sheet, year end net debt of £504.3 million Statutory Highlights · Profit after tax and exceptional items for the year up 19.8% to £266.0 million (2010/11: £222.1 million) · Total basic EPS 151.5p up 19.2% (2010/11: 127.2p) Strong brands getting stronger · Premier Inn grew total sales by 8.3%, with revpar outperformance against its competitive4 set · Restaurants delivered an improved second half sales performance · Costa had another outstanding year, growing total sales by 27.5% and like for like sales by 5.5% Five year growth milestones on track · Record number of 4,055 new build rooms opened in UK. Total UK & Ireland rooms now 47,429. Committed pipeline of 10,500 rooms · Costa net store growth of 175 in the UK and 157 overseas. Total stores now 2,203 · Costa Express ahead of expectations with 1,192 machines · 2,500 new UK jobs created, with a further 10,000 expected over the next three years

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201204260700220939C

CONT Exceptional non-recurring costs of circa £0.7m will be charged in the 2011/12 financial year, relating to the restructuring of the Group's Irish businesses and costs associated with both the recent General Meeting and the formal sales process. Borrowing levels at the year-end for the Group were below those originally forecast, but will increase again in the first half of the new financial year with the build up of inventory and marketing spend to support major new range launches in both the UK and Australia. Trading conditions in the UK and Australia are likely to remain very challenging. The Board believes that the changes in consumer taste in the Australasian market over the past year, away from wool carpets towards synthetic pile carpets, may be a permanent structural change. As a consequence, pre-emptive action has been taken to restructure the woollen spinning mills in Australia. The 'right-sizing' of the mills will give rise to material non-recurring costs in the first half of the new financial year. Overall, the Board believes that the actions taken will position the Company well for the future and the business remains well placed to capitalise on opportunities when economic conditions improve. Victoria will announce its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2012 in June 2012.

Trading Update Victoria PLC ('Victoria' or 'Company'), a leading international manufacturer, supplier and distributor of contemporary design-led carpets, carpet tiles and other floorcoverings, today announces the following trading update. Since the release of the Company's last Interim Management Statement on 6 February 2012, trading conditions in Victoria's two main market areas of Australasia and the United Kingdom have remained extremely challenging. Revenue in Australia was down in the last quarter of the Company's financial year by 9.6% in local currency and by 2.6% in Sterling terms. Whilst the softening of trading conditions in Australasia was seen for the first time in recent years in Q3, there was a further rapid and significant softening of market conditions in February and March 2012, as consumers saved more and reduced spending on discretionary items such as floor coverings. Despite the difficult trading conditions, the United Kingdom business, including the Republic of Ireland, finished with a strong Q4 in the financial year ended 31 March 2012, with revenues up 12% in constant currency terms. The insurance replacement market continued to perform well and there was a good finish to the year in both export and home contract markets, with robust sales to the hospitality sector. The Board anticipatesthat pre-tax profit (pre-exceptional items) for the year ended 31 March 2012 will be in line with the market forecasts that were published prior to the sales process in January 2012.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201204260700240961C

Interim Management Statement Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc ("JLT") is holding its Annual General Meeting at 12 noon today where the following comments will be made regarding current trading, financial performance and the outlook for the financial year. This statement covers the period from 1st January to 25th April 2012 in accordance with the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK Listing Authority. Performance The Group has made a positive start to the year and the overall trading performance is in line with expectations. Insurance markets continue to be competitive across most sectors although there has been some stabilisation of rates, as well as evidence of hardening in respect of certain catastrophe related risks. In Risk & Insurance, encouraging levels of organic growth are being achieved, building on recent investments, with Latin America and Asia continuing to make a strong contribution, together with our growing reinsurance operation. The Employee Benefits business continues to make progress particularly in the development of its international footprint. The acquisitions of Alta SA in Chile and of FDB Insurance Brokers Ireland made in the second half of 2011 are performing well, in line with our expectations. Financial Position JLT's financial position remains strong. There have been no material events or transactions during the period and there have been no significant changes in the financial position of the Company since the publication of the Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2011. Outlook The overall trading performance of the Group in the period is in line with expectations and notwithstanding the continuing uncertain global economic outlook JLT remains well placed to make financial progress in 2012.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201204261059281343C

cont "This is all part of a portfolio of 26 projects that Shell is developing worldwide today," Voser continued. "This industry-leading project line-up, combined with a focus on innovation and competitive performance across the company, will drive Shell to the clear targets we have set out for shareholders, namely around $175-200 billion of cash flow from operations in total for 2012-15, and a production potential of some 4 million boe/d in 2017-18."1 Voser added: "We continue to mature new investment options for medium-term growth, including new exploration acreage and positive results from the on-going appraisal of the Appomattox oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico, where we see scope for some 500 million boe of resources with further upside potential. I am also very pleased to welcome new strategic partners into Shell's Prelude Floating LNG project in Australia, as we continue to develop new international natural gas resources and markets." "The resumption of measured, affordable dividend growth we have confirmed today reflects the improving financial position of the company and delivery of our strategy," concluded Voser.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer Peter Voser commented: "We are making good progress against our targets to deliver a more competitive performance. Our profits pay for Shell's dividends and substantial investments in new energy projects, to ensure affordable, reliable energy supplies for our customers, which create value for our shareholders. Shell's first quarter 2012 earnings increased from year-ago levels, through a combination of improved operating performance, increased upstream volumes and strong oil prices. Energy demand fundamentals are robust, but with near-term volatility in energy prices as a result of economic and political events. In downstream and North American natural gas we see continued challenges for our industry." "We are implementing our strategy by improving near-term performance, delivering a new wave of production growth and maturing the next generation of growth options for shareholders. Shell sold $2.4 billion of upstream and downstream positions during the quarter, enhancing our financial flexibility and capital efficiency, and unlocking new growth potential. Asset sales for 2012 are likely to be over $4 billion, compared with our earlier guidance of $2-3 billion." "During the quarter, production commenced at the Caesar/Tonga project in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pluto LNG project in Australia reached ready-for-start-up status. These two non-operated positions are expected to add a total of some 40 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boe/d") at peak for Shell and 0.9 million tonnes per annum ("mtpa") of LNG capacity. The ramp-up of Shell's flagship Pearl GTL project in Qatar continued during the quarter, and the project is on track to reach full capacity in the middle of 2012. In the last few weeks, crude oil processing commenced at the Port Arthur refinery expansion project, creating one of the largest refineries in the United States."

1ST QUARTER 2012 UNAUDITED RESULTS * Royal Dutch Shell's first quarter 2012 earnings, on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis (see Note 1), were $7.7 billion compared with $6.9 billion in the same quarter a year ago. * First quarter 2012 CCS earnings excluding identified items (see page 5) were $7.3 billion compared with $6.3 billion in the first quarter 2011, an increase of 16%. * Basic CCS earnings per share excluding identified items for the first quarter 2012 increased by 15% versus the same quarter a year ago. * Cash flow from operating activities for the first quarter 2012 was $13.4 billion. Excluding net working capital movements, cash flow from operating activities in the first quarter 2012 was $12.7 billion. * Capital investment for the first quarter 2012 was $7.0 billion. Net capital investment (see Note 1) for the quarter was $4.6 billion. Total dividends distributed in the quarter were $2.7 billion, of which $1.0 billion were settled under the Scrip Dividend Programme. * Gearing at the end of the first quarter 2012 was 9.9%. * A first quarter 2012 dividend has been announced of $0.43 per ordinary share and $0.86 per American Depositary Share (ADS), an increase of 2.4% compared with the first quarter 2011 US dollar dividend.

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http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20120426070000PE3F2

Greg Bosch, Chief Executive Officer, said "PuriCore achieved both top- and bottom-line improvements in 2011 to drive each business unit to profitability and the Group to EBITDA profitability in the final quarter of the year. For the full year, the Group overcame some market challenges and delivered positive cash flow from operations." Michael Ashton, Non-Executive Chairman, said: "PuriCore ended the year by delivering strong results, and the Board remains confident in the Group's potential to deliver sustainable growth. I look forward as Chairman to working with the Board and the management team to continue to grow the company and build shareholder value." PuriCore will host a conference call for investors and analysts today at 2.00 pm BST, and a recording will be available on the Company's website at www.puricore.com. For details of the call please contact FTI Consulting.

Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2011 PuriCore (LSE: PURI), the water-based clean technology company, today announces its Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2011. PuriCore also separately announces its Interim Management Statement for Q1 2012. 2011 Financial Results · Revenue increased 5% (3% at constant currency) to $42.6m (2010: $40.5m) § Supermarket Retail revenue up 30% to $19.4m (2010: $14.9m) § Endoscopy revenue down 11% (14% at constant currency) to $22.5m (2010: $25.1m) § Wound Care revenue up 60% to $0.7m (2010: $0.4m) · Operating loss* reduced by 52.4% to $2.2m (2010: $4.2m) · EBITDA+ and cash flow positive from operations in Q4 · Cash of $4.5 million at period end Business and Operational Highlights · Agreement for a two-year extension of the repayment date to 31 December 2013 of £7.95 million in Convertible Loan Notes · Secured two debt facilities with Republic Bank totaling for $5.4m to finance Sterilox Fresh System installations · Agreement on settlement of claim against Misonix, Inc. · Installed base increased by 1,106 Sterilox and FloraFresh Systems during the year to 5,300 as at year end · Received confirmation from the US EPA for ActiVita Agriculture System as an on-site generator of fungicidal crop protection · Received confirmation for the US EPA for the Aqualox System as an on-site generator of an oil and gas biocide to treat hydraulic fracturing (or frac) water in January 2012 · A research grant of £500,000 was awarded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to The University of Oxford to study PuriCore's Activita Agricultural Solution in January 2012

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201204260700261133C

Future Prospects The revenue profile for 2012 will be largely defined by the impact of the loss of exclusivity on several products, particularly Seroquel IR. The disposal of Astra Tech and the ongoing disposal of the Aptium business will also contribute to the decline in revenue. In addition, the headwinds from government interventions on price are looking to be at the upper end of our planning assumptions for the year. On balance, we now expect the decline in revenue for the full year will be in the range of the low to mid-teens in constant currency terms. Against the backdrop of this challenging revenue picture, we are proceeding apace with the third phase of restructuring. Continued realisation of restructuring benefits, ongoing discipline in operating expenses and a lower projected tax rate for the year will only partially mitigate the downward pressure on revenue. As a result, we have lowered our Core EPS target for the full year to the range of $5.85 to $6.15. This Core EPS guidance has been based on January 2012 average exchange rates for our principal currencies, and actual first quarter results were broadly in line with this currency assumption. The target takes no account of the likelihood that average exchange rates for the remainder of 2012 may differ materially from the rates upon which our earnings guidance is based. An estimate of the sales and earnings sensitivity to movements of our major currencies versus the US dollar was provided in conjunction with the Full Year 2011 results announcement, and can be found on the AstraZeneca website, www.astrazeneca.com/investors.

David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, commenting on the results, said: "The anticipated impact from the loss of exclusivity on several brands, together with challenging market conditions, has made for a difficult start to the year in revenue terms. Delivery on our restructuring plans and continued discipline on operating costs, together with the benefits from a lower tax rate, will only partially mitigate the revenue pressures. As a result we have lowered our Core EPS target for the full year to the range of $5.85 to $6.15." "The recently announced collaboration with Amgen on a portfolio of five clinical stage projects in the field of inflammation illustrates our willingness to look beyond our laboratories to invest in innovative science wherever it originates. Our agreement to acquire Ardea Biosciences will add a promising Phase III project for the chronic management of hyperuricaemia in patients with gout. Lastly, we are pleased that the European Union's CHMP has issued a positive recommendation for regulatory approval for FORXIGA™ (dapagliflozin); together with our partner Bristol-Myers Squibb we look forward to making this new medicine available to patients with diabetes," Brennan said.