Member Info for mulledwine

Homeserve (HSV) expects to see an 8% decline in the total number of UK customers in the 2012 financial year, 3 basis point more than previously expected, and forecasts renewal revenues in 2013 to fall by 10 million pounds. No doubt, many customers are uncomfortable using an insurance firm caught mis-selling policies. To compensate, the group said that it will cut 200 jobs, which together with further reorganisation costs will cost around 20 million pounds. The shares dropped 34.9p to 240.1p.

Revenues at International Power (IPR) rose 3% for the year ended 31st December 2011 to 16.5 billion euros (13.8 billion pounds), with EBITDA up 8% at 4.3 billion euros (3.6 billion pounds), with strong growth in North America and Latin America compensating for poor trading conditions in Europe. The energy company also noted synergy savings of 135 million euros (112.7 million pounds) over the year, ahead of forecasts of 103 million euros (86.0 million pounds). However, the group warned of slower growth in 2012, due to the non-renewal of a short term liquid natural gas contract in North America and this was enough to send the shares tumbling 9.7p to 333p.

Shore Capital kept its "buy" recommendation for Shire (SHP), noting impressive growth in the US as the pharmaceutical company capitalised on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder market, which is growing at a rate of 10% per year and is worth 6 billion dollars (3.8 billion pounds). The broker noted that this performance is largely attributable to its adult treatment Vyvanse, which continues to gain market share. Shore Capital now anticipates trials for alternative uses for the drug, such as treating narcolepsy and schizophrenia. The shares declined 5p to 2,174p

Singer Capital rates Invensys (ISYS) shares as a "sell", with a 150p target price. Since announcing a profit warning in January the engineering and technology group reviewed its remaining rail contracts and the broker noted no further problems were uncovered. However, Singer remains concerned of the potential for future contract impairments, as a number of previous deals had been running for over two years before problems were recognised. Shares in Invensys edged up by 1.9p to 216.7p

Northland Capital reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Johnson Service Group (JSG), with a 34p target price. The dry cleaner's acquisition of Cannon Textile Care led the broker to increase its revenue forecasts for the 2012 financial year by 11.3 million pounds to 245.6 million pounds, but to lower pre-tax profit targets by 2.0% to 14.8 million pounds. Northland expects the acquisition to be earnings enhancing next year and believes that there is room for cost saving synergies. Shares in Johnson were unchanged at 26.5p.

and St. Modwen Properties Buy 07-Feb-12 £47,998.72 Michael Dunn 31,168 @ 154.00p

With its full year results out of the way on Tuesday, directors at property regeneration specialist St Modwen wasted little time in diving into the market to buy shares in the fast rising stock. Construction Director Steve Burke built up his stake with the purchase of 35,904 shares at a cost of £54,535 while Chief Executive Officer Bill Oliver said "More, please" as he splashed out £79,300 to buy 52,000 shares. Both directors each now own about 0.02% of the company.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20120208160338PF921

JANUARY 2012 AIRLINE PASSENGER OPERATING STATISTICS Skywest, the Australian and South East Asia regional airline, is pleased to announce its network operating statistics for the month of January 2012. The number of Charter Services increased by 51.87% to 325 compared with the previous year. Skywest RPT traffic, measured by Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) decreased by 15.47%, while Skywest Charter traffic which is measured by Charter ASKs increased by 28.93%.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201202081533020656X

Impressive +33%

I was waiting as I thought this might pull back a bit after mid morning - Wrong!

http://www.growthcompany.co.uk/recommendations/1689153/avon-rubber.thtml

Morning cinders - I wonder what thats worth as regards SP movement today ----- 10%?

Escher announces significant contract win Escher, a world leading provider of outsourced, point of sale software to the postal industry, is pleased to announce that, following a major tender process, it has been awarded a significant contract to provide its Riposte suite of software, maintenance and services to a leading Postal Authority. The contract, which has a 54 month base period and renewal options, is expected to generate, over a fifteen-year term, approximately US$50m in revenue for the Group, but with scope for substantial additional revenue. The first revenue from this contract win, worth approximately US$4m, is expected in the year ending December 2012, with increasing revenue in 2013 as the software is rolled out across the network. Commenting on today's announcement, Liam Church, Chief Executive Officer of Escher, said: "We are delighted to be able to announce today's contract win. This is a significant step forward in Escher's growth and continued development".

Martyn Williams, Chief Executive of Ark commented: "We are pleased to report the further strengthening of the patent protection that Ark's unique NRP-1 antagonist programmes enjoys. Partnering discussions for further development of this programme continue with companies that wish to boost their early development oncology pipelines." John Martin, Chief Scientific Officer of Ark commented: "This exciting programme will hopefully generate an entirely new class of small molecule anti-cancer therapeutics with activity across all solid tumours and in so doing provide cancer sufferers with a powerful new weapon against this terrible disease

ARK THERAPEUTICS GROUP PLC Notice of Allowance of US patent for Neuropilin-1 receptor ("NRP-1") small molecule antagonists London - 8 February 2012, London, UK: Ark Therapeutics Group plc ("Ark" or the "Company") announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") has issued a Notice of Allowance in respect of a patent covering the structures of candidate compounds in Ark's Neuropilin-1 receptor ("NRP-1") small molecule antagonist programme. Formal grant of this patent is expected in two months. Ark has developed the first drug-like small molecule antagonists of VEGF binding to NRP-1 which, in pre-clinical in vivo studies, show inhibition of both tumour growth and the development of the tumour blood supply (anti-angiogenic) as well as directly impairing tumour cell growth and migration. The novel chemistry is supported by structure-aided design utilizing x-ray crystallography. These efforts are continuing to optimize the compounds directed towards this emerging target for therapeutic exploitation.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201202080700209960W

2012 Targets 2012 will be a year of transition and investment for RB, the details of which will be explained in the strategic overview press release, which will be released later this morning. We continue to be committed to market outperformance and therefore target the following: Net revenue growth (excluding RBP) of +200bps versus our market growth. We expect market growth in 2012 to be 1-2%. Operating margins (excluding RBP) to be maintained. The likelihood of generic competition to Suboxone makes setting total Company (inclusive of RBP) targets impossible at this time. RB will aim to update the market on total Company targets later in the year.

Commenting on the full year results, Rakesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reckitt Benckiser delivered another strong year, exceeding both our net revenue target (+12%) and adjusted net income target (+10%) in an increasingly tough environment. Like-for-like growth of 4% was underpinned by a robust performance in the base business, especially in Q4. "Growth was driven in particular by excellent growth in emerging markets, and growth in our Powerbrands - Dettol, Nurofen, Mucinex, Strepsils, Gaviscon and Harpic. SSL had a good first year with LFL growth of 6%, although full year growth is flattered by a soft Q4 last year. "At the end of 2011, the Suboxone film had captured a 48% volume share of the U.S. market. The in-market sales trend remains on a healthy growth track. "In 2012 we are targeting total Company net revenue growth, excluding RBP, of 200bps above our market growth rate. We expect the market to grow at 1-2%. 2012 will be a year of higher investment but, ex RBP, we are still targeting to maintain our operating margins. "