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Enterprise software provider NetDimensions (NETD) has partnered with online education provider UnyLeYa to deliver an innovative learning package to Brazil, Portugal and Africa The partnership will provide NetDimension's Learning Management Solutions package in addition to its portable USB product Mobile Enterprise Knowledge Platform (MEKP) to 240 million Portuguese speakers worldwide. NetDimensions noted that providing e-learning services in some Portuguese speaking regions can be problematic due to a lack of credible internet provision infrastructures, however it is believed that MEKP will resolve this, as it requires no installation or online connectively. The shares inched up 0.25p to 26p

Papua Mining (PML) became the first mining company to complete an initial public offering on AIM in 2012. The Guinea focused copper and gold miner raised 7 million pounds on admission, which it will use to fund exploration activities at its two exploration licence areas in the province of West New Britain. The firm noted that these sites surround an area currently being explored by Coppermoly Limited, who is in a joint venture with Barrick Gold Corporation, the world's largest gold miner. Papua shares were issued at 44p and closed 11p higher at 55.5p.

Shore Capital kept its "buy" stance on Lancashire Holdings (LRE), astonished that the insurance company was able to increase its net tangible asset value to 752 cents (474p) per share in 2011 despite the high level of natural disasters. The broker added that group has one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector, with a conservative portfolio containing 6% emerging market debt and no peripheral European sovereign debt. The shares edged up by 5.5p to 767.5p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201203010700464408Y

N+1 Brewin maintained its "add" rating for Vitec (VTC), with a target price of 670p. The video equipment manufacturer beat the broker's expectations for the 2011 financial year, with pre-tax profits of 33 million pounds against forecasts of 30.7 million pounds. Brewin sees considerable room for growth in 2012, with its Powerbrand division expected to reach profitability and a boost expected from the London Olympics. However, the broker also warned of potentially increased interest costs due to refinancing operations and higher debt levels. Shares in Vitec dropped by 11.75p to 622.25p.

Panmure Gordon reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Aegis (AGS), with an increased target price of 225p, from 210p. The broker has high hopes for the market research group's acquisition of US digital communication company Roundarch, which is said will provide complementary services to the firm's existing capabilities. Additionally, Panmure believes that Aegis is a potential acquisition target itself, noting that Japanese advertising agency Dentsu may be looking for a European partner, following its sale of Publicis for 645 million euros (852.5 million pounds).

Get on up there my boy!

Daniel Stewart reiterated its "buy" recommendation Porvair (PRV) with a 159p target price. The air filtration company is developing a dedicated bay to manufacture a hot gas filtration system order, worth between 10 and 15 million dollars (6.3 and 9.4 million pounds), and the broker expects work to begin in May. Daniel Stewart added that the firm is benefiting from a strong aerospace sector, with order book visibility into 2014.

Panmure Gordon kept its "buy" recommendation for Nichols (NICL), with a 640p target price. The broker expects the soft drinks company to report pre-tax profit growth of 18% to 17.4 million pounds for the 2011 financial year. Panmure will also be looking for early signs of the success of the Weight Watchers soft drinks range, which was launched in January, as well as news on Vimto's international performance. For the 2012 financial year, the broker forecasts earnings of 39.39p, putting the shares on a prospective multiple of 15.9.

Northland Capital and Shore Capital are at a complete disagreement over Persimmon (PSN), with Northland calling it the "pick of the national housebuilders", while Shore downgraded its stance from "hold" to "sell", calling it bloated and overvalued relative to its peers. Northland hailed the news of the firm's 1.9 billion pound cash return scheme, but Shore pointed out that around 73% of the sum will not be paid until at least five years from now. It went on to note that the shares trade at a 22.3% premium to the net asset value of 524p, while Barratt Developments (BDEV) trades at a 30% discount.

You may remember Psion, it made handheld organisers way back in the early noughties. Now they manufacture things like devices for gas and electricity meter readers. The company has been stabilised by the management and yields 8% on dividends alone. That may be of interest to some thinks Tempus.

Questor, in The Telegraph, ponders Bunzl, which supplies things like food packaging and paper plates. It has an odd history, beginning life in modern day Slovakia back in the 1850s as a haberdashery. It’s now in the FTSE 100 and going well, up 29% since February last year. Questor says hold as the firm’s acquisition led growth strategy appears to offer more profits.

Xchanging, the outsourcing company is also unloved. A disastrous acquisition in India has really damaged the firm says Tempus, and it lost a major contract with BAE Systems last year. Management has suspended the dividend until things improve. Tempus is not interested.

Philip Leech, Chief Executive of Terrace Hill, comments: "These final transactions demonstrate the success of Terrace Hill in identifying and securing occupiers in a challenging market, and underline our belief that there continues to be demand for well-located, attractively priced, high quality stock."

Terrace Hill secures full occupation of Brabazon Office Park, Bristol, with final letting and sale Terrace Hill Group (AIM: THG), a leading UK property development and investment group, announces that it has completed its final deals at Phase II of Brabazon Office Park, securing a further letting and sale on two units that together comprise 9,978 sq ft, meaning that the entire scheme is now occupied. Terrace Hill has let the top floor of Unit 12, comprising 4,757 sq ft to Quest Engineering ltd on a 10 year lease at a rent of £15.50 per sq ft. It has also sold Unit 10, comprising 5,221 sq ft over two floors, to Fable Trading for a total consideration of £895,000. These two final deals follow a spate of lettings last year and bring about the full occupation of Brabazon Office Park, Terrace Hill's 2.70 acre office scheme located in Filton, North Bristol, which was built in two phases and comprises a total of 45,000 sq ft over a variety of self-contained buildings.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201203020700175416Y

Commenting on these acquisitions, Executive Chairman Nigel Keen, said: "These acquisitions will strengthen our capability in two high growth markets. As electronic devices become more powerful, then the requirements for shielding change. Emerson & Cuming provides us with a broader range of specialist products that we can offer to existing customers and gives us the opportunity to expand our customer base. The acquisition of Summit allows us to develop further our wireless connectivity offering, adding products to our range that allow wireless systems to function efficiently in difficult radio frequency environments like factories and hospitals. Both acquisitions will be earnings enhancing in the current year, and will make a positive contribution to the Laird brand."

LAIRD EXPANDS ITS EMI SHIELDING AND WIRELESS SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES WITH TWO ACQUISITIONS Laird PLC ("Laird"), a global technology company focused on providing components and solutions that protect electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and heat, and that enable wireless connectivity through wireless applications and antennae systems, today announces two bolt-on acquisitions which strengthen its existing EMI shielding and M2M (machine to machine) businesses, in-line with its strategic focus. These acquisitions will be satisfied from Laird's existing banking facilities. Emerson & Cuming - a global leader in microwave absorber technology for wireless and satellite communications, military and aerospace, automotive, electronics, RFID and medical markets The acquisition of Microwave Materials Group, the holding company of Emerson & Cuming Microwave Products ("Emerson & Cuming"), is for a cash consideration of €22.5 million (£18.8 million) on a debt and cash free basis. The acquisition is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is currently expected to complete during the second quarter of 2012. Emerson & Cuming is a global leader in the development and manufacture of microwave absorbing materials, low-loss dielectrics (used as insulation within printed circuit boards) and electrically conductive shielding materials. This builds on Laird's existing EMI shielding and absorber product range for higher frequency, more powerful electronic devices and allows Laird to offer customers a full range of shielding materials, critical to the effective performance of electronic devices. It also allows Laird to leverage its strong Asian footprint to extend Emerson & Cuming's presence outside the US and Europe. Summit Data Communications ("Summit") - a provider of secure and reliable wireless connectivity for blue chip customers in niche industrial and medical markets The acquisition of Summit is for a cash consideration of $22 million (£13.8 million) on a debt and cash free basis, plus a potential earn-out of $8 million payable in 2014 if certain performance targets are met. The acquisition expands Laird's presence in the wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) market. Summit develops non-cellular WLAN M2M modules specifically designed to allow wireless systems to function efficiently in harsh radio frequency environments, such as factories and hospitals. This builds on Laird's existing capability in wireless solutions that combine hardware and software.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201203020700275664Y

OUTLOOK FOR 2012 Our Operational Excellence strategy, which focuses on capability development across all functions - is delivering increasing revenue growth in Pest Control, Hygiene, Textiles and Facilities Services categories despite tough market challenges. We are particularly pleased with the rates of growth achieved toward the end of Q4, which have continued into the early part of 2012. The investment in rollout of the Olympic initiatives is likely however to limit profit growth in these categories to mid single digits for the time being. City Link continues to disappoint. While Q4 volumes grew 8% and revenue by 0.5%, losses were £3.1m greater than Q4 2010 due to low productivity, driven in part by conservative resource planning for the Christmas period. The financial performance of the business will remain poor in H1 2012, however, we remain committed to resolving the key revenue and cost control issues facing the business. We are encouraged by the immediate impact of the new City Link CEO and CFO and by the quality of the improvement plan currently being implemented. Progress made across the rest of the group and continued strong operating cash flows has given the board sufficient confidence to recommence dividend payments with a final dividend of 1.33p per share.