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Northland Capital kept its "buy" recommendation for Amino Technologies (AMO), with a target price of 65p. The broker expects the digital entertainment company to report adjusted pre-tax profits for the year ended December 2011 slightly higher than market forecasts of 1.7 million pounds. Northland believes increased demand for Smart TV technology will help improve the group's margins, following the prior period of heavy investment in development. The shares tumbled 1.75p to 49.25p

N+1 Brewin maintained its "buy" rating for James Fisher (FSJ), with a 670p target price. The marine engineering firm's joint venture in Angola was awarded a five year contract with oil and gas giant BP (BP.) and the broker values the deal at 30 million dollars (19.0 million pounds) per year when fully operational. Brewin said that the deal demonstrated the group's ability to take its existing knowledge and apply it to new attractive geographies. The broker also raised its full year pre-tax profit forecast by 0.4 million pounds to 32.4 million pounds for 2012. Shares in James Fisher rose 5p to 530p.

Thats a chart to warm the cockles of anyones heart!

Panmure Gordon reiterated its "buy" recommendation for InterContinental Hotels (IHG) with an increased target price of 1,555p, from 1,420p. The broker forecasts the hotel chain to report full year EBIT of 544 million dollars (344.9 million pounds), 22% higher than in 2010. Earnings forecasts put the company on a multiple of 17.8 times, which the broker admitted is not cheap, but added that its exposure to the US market could lead to forecast upgrades. However, Shore Capital rates the firm a "sell", noting that the shares have outperformed the FTSE All Share by 20% over the last three months. Additionally, Shore pointed out that the group has limited growth visibility and is highly vulnerable to changing economic conditions. InterContinental shares advanced by 18p to 1,397p.

Rising fuel costs offset a boost in revenue at Australian and South East Asia regional airline Skywest Airlines, leading to a drop in pre-tax profit of three million Singapore dollars (S$) for the half year ended December 31st. Profit for the half year was S$6.4m compared to S$9.8m for the previous corresponding period, on revenues of S$145m compared to S$125.3m in the same period the year before. The cost of fuel rose from $28m to $33m year-on-year. Profits were also affected by non-recurring expenses amounting to S$3.2m of which there were additional aircraft cross-hire expenses of S$2.6m and other expenses related to damage caused to an aircraft by a service provider amounting to S$0.6m. Earnings per share fell from S$3.58 to S$2.23. No dividend was declared.

SVG Capital (SVI) announced a 10.9% rise in net assets to 350.2p per share over the year ended 31st December 2011, with its investment portfolio returning 11.2% during the period. The private equity investment manager noted an improved balance sheet, with borrowings more than halved from 301.7 million pounds to 127.8 million. To reflect its strength, the group announced plans to return up to 170 million pounds to investors through a series of buy-backs. The shares climbed 19.9p to 257.9p.

Insurance group Catlin (CGL) achieved pre-tax profits of 71 million dollars (44.8 million pounds) for the year ended 31st December which, while significantly below 2010's performance of 406 million dollars (256.3 million pounds), comfortably beat market consensus forecasts of 17.2 million dollars (10.9 million pounds). Following gross losses of 961 million dollars (606.6 million pounds) from the large number of natural disasters over the year the group increased its gross premiums by 11%, including a 24% rise for its non-UK operations. Shares in Catlin swelled 22.6p to 449p

Panmure Gordon kept its "hold" recommendation for Fidessa (FDSA), but with a reduced target price of 1,501p from 1,511p. The broker expects the trading software developer's shares to rally heading into its full year results, which will be released on 13th February, but expects profit taking following the announcement. While investors are holding out for a special dividend, Panmure anticipates a disappointing outlook statement as revenue growth is likely to slow. The broker forecasts revenues of 277 million pounds, with pre-tax profits of 38.8 million pounds. Shares in Fidessa inched up by 4p to 1,702p.

N+1 Brewin reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Murgitroyd (MUR), with a 415p target price. The patent attorney has achieved 11 consecutive years of growth and the broker added that market conditions improved over 2010 and 2011 with the number of European patent filings rising 11% and 3% respectively. Brewin noted that the 62% of filings in Europe originate from other continents and approves of the group's international expansion, with offices established in Japan and the US. Shares in Murgitroyd edged down by 1p to 350p

Martyn Ratcliffe, Executive Chairman of educational software supplier RM, has bumped up his stake in the firm with the purchase of one million shares. Ratcliffe bought the shares, which cost him 75.00p each for a total of £750,000, just three days after the company reported falling revenue and profit for the 14 months ended November 30th. Revenue for the period fell from £380.1m to £350.8m, while adjusted operating profit dropped from £22.6m to £10m. Loss before tax remained stable at £23.4m, compared to £23.9m the previous year. During the period the firm committed a revolving three year bank facility of £30m to replace the old facility.

2.2 on a dummy BUY with halifax

Own brand household and personal care products supplier McBride made a 4% rise on revenue, but saw operating profits dive 86%, for the six months ended December 31st. Operating profit fell from £18.8m to £2.7m, which after rising costs led to a pre-tax loss of £0.4m, compared to a profit of £15.5m in the same period of the previous year. Revenues rose from £407.9m to £423.1m, while cost of sales rose from £268.5m to £294.3m. Chief Executive Chris Bull said: "Whilst some volatility in the global commodity and currency markets remains, trading since the end of December has been in line with the Board's expectations, and we expect to see continued progress for the remainder of the year. Our re-structuring activities are being implemented to plan and will lead to total exceptional charges of around £21m and annualised savings of £7m as previously announced." Net debt rose 18% from £72.2m to £85.2m. The firm maintained an interim dividend of 2p

The interim results from investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown were bang in line with expectations, according to Peel Hunt. The broker, however, has reiterated its hold rating and 450p target price on the group, saying that the stock is trading a big premium to its peers. "Although market conditions were challenging during the period, Hargreaves continues to deliver an impressive trading performance. New business in the period was £1.16bn, lower than the comparable year but a good performance nonetheless," said analyst Stuart Duncan

Nick Henry, Chief Executive Officer of James Fisher, said: "We have worked with BP for many years and are delighted to be extending that relationship into this important contract in Angola. This contract brings together the expertise across the Group in mooring, offshore vessel and diving operations and will involve Fendercare and James Fisher Shipping Services. It reflects the investment put into establishing James Fisher Angola Limited with our partner Bouclier, owned by Marcus Manzengele, and our commitment to the offshore market in Angola."

James Fisher and Sons plc Award of contract from BP Angola James Fisher and Sons plc (JFS) announces that its subsidiary James Fisher Angola Ltda has been awarded a five-year contract by BP Angola for the provision of export tanker support services off the coast of Angola. The contract involves the operation of three anchor handling tugs and diving services for the mooring operations and maintenance of Block 18 and Block 31 oil fields. The tugs are being chartered in. The contract is for an initial period of five years with an option for BP to extend for a further two one-year periods.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201202091214081286X

Questor, in the Telegraph, gets down and dirty with mining giant BHP Billiton, highlighting a 20% increase in the dividend announced yesterday. The company has made much of improvements in the grade of copper being extracted from its Escondida mine in Northern Chile while profits were up 8% in the half year to the end of December. With the yield for 2013 expected to come in at 3.4% and the shares trading at just 9.2 times earnings, Questor says buy.

The Times's investment column, Tempus, looks at the power station builder, International Power which last year merged with parts of the French group GDF Suez. It’s come a cropper building a huge hydro-electric dam in Brazil from which the returns may not be as stellar as first hoped. Tempus thinks this is “no big deal” and instead points to the prospective yield of 3.2%. The suggestion is: hold.

Icap is looking into the conduct of three of its staff in regards to an alleged manipulation of the London interbank offered rate, or Libor. One employee at the interdealer broker has been suspended pending an internal investigation and two others have been placed on administrative leave. Icap took the action itself, although the Financial Services Authority has been informed. Icap declined to comment. The move is believed to be part of an inevitable expansion of regulators’ investigations into US and European banks that help to set interbank lending rates towards interdealer brokers, which acts as a go-between with banks, according to The Times.

3.08 to BUY on a dummy deal