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http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201201190700117973V

Meanwhile, the Telegraph’s Questor column looks at gold producer African Barrick Gold which has had all sorts of problems to deal with, notably a machete wielding gang entering its North Mara facility in Tanzania looking to steal gold. It has also had power problems and will be installing a new 14 mega-watt generator to stabilise production. Questor notes many analysts like the stock despite weak production numbers yesterday but says hold until results from the Nyanzaga mine are released.

Investec says that the third quarter performance from Darty, KESA Electricals' key profit earner, was weaker than expected and has put pressure on the broker's forecasts, which are now placed under review. The broker maintained its sell rating on the retailer but put its 65p target under review.

Nomura has maintained its reduce rating and 1,130p target price on Pearson, despite the publishing giant raising earnings guidance on Thursday. According to Nomura, "The organic growth rate we think is unlikely to much exceed 1% for FY11 (vs. our current 2% forecast), and tough conditions in North American education owing to budget shortages are likely to persist into 2012 and so organic growth in 2012 is likely to be flat to slightly down, in our view." The broker maintains its negative view on the stock, noting that the valuation is high at a price-to-earnings (FY12E) multiple of 14.6

Market not impressed - cant see why but there has been exceptional SP movement since backend last year so todays good news looks priced in - according to the market anyway

Rob Cotton, Group Chief Executive, commented: "A clear focus on our international growth strategy, which includes exploiting a number of growing market opportunities, has enabled us to deliver a very strong set of results with profits up 33%. We have increased the interim dividend by 23%, to reflect both our confidence for the future as well as our recent performance. "The cyber arms race continues to speed up, and with the technology revolution outpacing the ability of IT departments to cope with the plethora of security issues, we are well placed to maintain our growth momentum."

Growing international revenues drive profits up 33% Highlights · Group revenue up 28% to £42.4m (£33.0m in 2010) o Organic revenue up 20% o International revenue now contributes 31% (21% in 2010) · Group adjusted operating profits from continuing operations* increased by 33% to £10.2m (£7.7m in 2010) o Group Escrow operating profits up by 13% to £7.6m o Assurance operating profits up by 87% to £4.6m · Group adjusted pre-tax profits from continuing operations** up by 32% to £9.8m (£7.4m in 2010) · Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations*** up by 33% to 20.2p (15.2p in 2010) · Interim dividend up by 23% to 5.1p (4.15p in 2010) · Ratio of cash inflow from operating activities before interest and tax to operating profit increased to 144% (141% in 2010) · Orders and renewals up 7% totalling £43.7m (£41.0m in November 2010) for the current financial year · Price increases for UK Escrow implemented in November * Operating profits from continuing operations before amortisation of intangible assets and exceptional items and acquisition costs. ** Profit before tax from continuing operations before amortisation of intangible assets, exceptional items and acquisition costs and unwinding of the discount on acquisitions.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201201190700168086V

Discovery Metals (DME) provided an update on its latest drilling programme at the Zeta north east prospect in the Kalahari Copperbelt in Botswana, confirming the existence of high grade copper-silver mineralisation. Significant intercepts along a 3km stretch included 2.8% copper at a depth of 6.9 metres and 42g/t of silver at a depth of 5.9 metres. The assay results follow on from initial drilling results from the initial 12 hole programme and reportedly highlight the potential for the prospect to be developed into a mineral resource with a longer life than previously anticipated. Discovery shares crept 1.5p higher to 93.5p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20120118000742H8360

CONT Despite these potentially adverse factors, the Directors believe that our key brands will continue to do well through the year and that some new and exceptionally exciting new product introductions, which are to be launched to the trade at next week's International Toy Fair at Olympia (24-26 January), will add both store presence as well as substantial sales and may even create a new toy category suited to the technological age. Whilst the results for the current financial year rely heavily on July and August sales, we are confident that our new introductions plus an increased retail presence giving us wider distribution should enable us to meet our forecasts for the year as a whole. We look forward to keeping shareholders updated with developments over the coming year."

Character Group -Trading Update The Character Group plc ("Character" or the "Group"), which holds its Annual General Meeting today (18 January) at 11am, publishes the following Trading Update ahead of the Meeting:- "As is well known, Christmas trading was generally very difficult for all trading companies and presented many challenges. Acknowledging the poor economic outlook early, the Group took action in the first part of the financial year to ensure that stock levels were not excessive whilst costs were reduced. We believe that the Group's key brands have held up well with no substantial casualties. This is encouraging when compared to the market as a whole. Around 60% of Group sales derive from own-developed and branded products and this has helped Character to maintain its position as one of the UK's leading toy companies. It is especially pleasing therefore to note that despite lower sales to date, when these are added to our internal forecasts for the remainder of the financial year ending 31 August 2012, the Group is still likely to produce a result in line with current market expectations. Looking ahead, it is of course more difficult than normal to forecast in these conditions and added to the complexity is the possible disruption to trade yet to be felt by the events leading up to both the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201201180700207341V

Announcing the trial, Tom Burnet, Chief Executive Officer of Lo-Q plc said: "We are delighted that Palace Entertainment, the largest operator of water parks in the United States, has agreed to install our virtual queuing system at Splish Splash in Long Island. This contract highlights the strength of Lo-Q's ground-breaking water park product and the increasing interest in our solutions from all corners of the entertainment sector." Fernando Eiroa, President and CEO, Palace Entertainment, added: "We continue to strive for the highest levels of guest satisfaction at every Palace Entertainment location, from water parks, theme parks to family entertainment centers. We look forward to implementing the Lo-Q technology at Splish Splash for our guests to be able to schedule their attractions and therefore increase the satisfaction level."

Lo-Q splashes into Palace Entertainment's Splish Splash in 2012 - - Contract builds on success of Lo-Q's virtual queuing wristband in other water parks in the US - Lo-Q plc (AIM: LOQ), the AIM-listed provider of virtual queuing systems for theme parks and major attractions, is pleased to announce that it has signed a three year agreement with Palace Entertainment, the largest operator of water parks in the United States, to bring Q-band, Lo-Q's virtual queuing wristband for water parks, to Splish Splash in Long Island, NY. With its one-of-a-kind themed water rides, Splish Splash was voted as one of the Top 10 Best Water Parks in the US by Travel Channel and attracts families from all over the tri-state area. Splish Splash will open their 2012 season offering - for an additional fee - the Q-band virtual queuing system to their guests. Q-band utilizes a revolutionary RFID wristband that is both waterproof and lightweight. Guests renting the Q-band can use the wristband to reserve a "virtual" place in line at the park's most popular slides using kiosks located throughout the park. When their reservation time arrives, guests enter via a separate entrance and scan their band to be validated and avoid the long queue. Splish Splash will offer two levels of the Q-band service for their guests to choose from, allowing them more time to enjoy the park and less time waiting in line.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201201180715357514V

Daniel Stewart initiated coverage of Stadium Group (SDM) with a "buy" recommendation and 123p target price. The broker says that the electronics company has successfully reorganised its UK business, following the appointment of new chief executive Stephen Phipson in September 2011. Daniel Stewart also notes the group's strong presence in China, with over 1,000 employees. Shares in Stadium dropped 1.5p to 64.5p.

Arbuthnot Securities reiterated its "strong buy" recommendation for Tricorn (TCN) with a 40p target price. The pipe manufacturer announced several profit upgrades over the last 18 months and the broker believes that the firm has the potential to deliver further growth. Arbuthnot is also encouraged by the firm's largest customer, industrial machinery developer Caterpillar, announcing in December that it expects to deliver sales growth of between 10 and 20% in the 2012 calendar year. The broker will also be looking for Tricorn to become acquisitive to boost growth. The shares jumped 2p to 25.5p.

Innovation (TIG) retained its "buy" rating from Panmure Gordon with a 28p target price. The broker is impressed with the software company's contract win with US insurance company Direct General, covering 12 states, worth 3 million dollars (1.9 million pounds) over three years. Panmure adds that the firm has won a number of other contracts in America recently and believes that its focus on infrastructure should improve profitability. Shares in Innovation inched up 0.13p to 20.25p.

Brewin Dolphin downgraded Alliance Pharma (APH) from "add" to "hold" with a reduced target price of 33p, from 31p. The pharmaceutical company missed the broker's pre-tax profit target for the 2011 financial year by 4%. Brewin notes a particularly poor performance from the group's Deltacortril anti-inflammatory drug, with sales 13% behind target at 4.7 million pounds. On a more positive note, the broker said that its high exposure to the UK and prescription market should make the firm more resilient against austerity measures in Europe. The shares inched down 0.125p to 28.625p.