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http://www.growthcompany.co.uk/news/1677598/rubicon-in-stelios-venture.thtml

ommenting on the results, Brian Smith, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Good progress continues to be made in DATONG's Own Products business with strong customer interest in new products and significant sales being made. However, Third Party product sales volatility has had a short term adverse impact. The current world economic climate and its affect on our customers' budgetary policies is impacting DATONG with the timing of orders not following usual trends. "Nevertheless, DATONG is well positioned in the intelligence gathering sector with a good sales pipeline and consequently the Board remains confident that the Group's strategy will continue to drive the business forward."

Final Results DATONG PLC (DTE.L), a leading provider of covert intelligence gathering solutions, today announces its final results for the 12 month period to 30 September 2011. Highlights · Revenue of £11.75 million (2010: £14.06 million) · Operating profit before exceptional items of £0.05 million (2010: £0.80 million) · Earnings per share of 1.03p (2010: adjusted earnings per share of 6.38p) · Net cash of £1.27 million (2010: £2.58 million) and no debt on the balance sheet · Growth in Own Products revenues of 26% on the back of a strong US performance · Significant orders received for new products · New joint venture formed focusing on developing and commercialising interoperable capability across a number of industry players · Agreement formed introducing software analytical capability to the product portfolio

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112060700263945T

Plastics group Victrex saw its share price take a hit on Tuesday after its raised dividend and record profits seemed to underwhelm investors. Nevertheless, Investec still maintained its buy rating on the stock. However, the broker warned that the stock is still probably constrained by downgrades to higher-end forecasts

Panmure Gordon has maintained its sell rating and 1,500p target price for heating and plumbing giant Wolseley, driven by a combination of "high relative valuation, need for operational improvement and strong recent relative share price performance." Wolseley's first quarter results were welcomed by the market this morning, with shares rising 2-3% in early trade. However, Panmure notes that the trading outlook is expected to get tougher, "which keeps a lid on forecast changes". "We also have concerns about the likely strength of the US residential and commercial recovery. Recent disposals show that management are doing a good job tidying up the portfolio. For now our stock preference remains elsewhere in the sector."

5 December 2011 | 07:28am StockMarketWire.com - Tube manipulation specialist Tricorn Group this morning reported revenue up 23% to £12.42m in the half-year to end-September (2010: £10.09m). Operating profit margin was up 24% to 6.3% (2010: 5.1%). PBT was up 61% to £0.722m (2010: £0.449m). Net cash at period end was £0.072m (2010: Net debt £0.551m). Adjusted earnings per share were up 57% to 1.66p. An interim dividend was declared of 0.07p per share. Nick Paul CBE, Chairman, said: 'I am delighted to report a further consecutive period of growth for Tricorn. The Group continues to benefit from its exposure to world markets, its key account management, ongoing investment and improving operational performance. 'We remain resolutely focused on delivering excellence to our customers and we are seeing this rewarded with closer and more collaborative relationships. 'Based on the progress made and our confidence in future prospects, the Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend as part of its longer term progressive dividend policy. 'We remain confident of meeting market expectations for the year.'

Ryanair’s passenger numbers have fallen for the first time since it began its rapid growth in the early 1990s. The number of flyers last month fell by 8% to 4.68m after the low-cost airline grounded 80 aircraft in response to high fuel costs and the struggling economy. The loss of 400,000 passengers brings to an end a remarkable growth story in which Ryanair has become Europe’s largest airline. Even in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001, the airline continued to expand by slashing fares while its rivals faltered. However, a combination of sustained high oil prices and weak consumer spending in Europe has finally taken its toll, The Times explains.

Seamus French, CEO of Anglo American's Metallurgical Coal business, added: "We are excited to be developing the first growth phase of our planned Moranbah hub which will drive our target of 12% compound annual production growth by 2020. Grosvenor and the wider hub will produce some of the highest quality coking coal in the world and represents a major investment commitment for the region. Our longwall design model will enable us to replicate our approach across our expansion footprint, ensuring the transfer of best practice project efficiency, cost control and risk mitigation. We have also now received confirmation of our development rights from the Queensland government for the expansion of the Abbot Point coal port - a dedicated export facility that would have the capacity to accommodate the growth from our Moranbah hub."

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112060700223502T

Anglo American's board has approved the Grosvenor project, a 5m tonne per annum metallurgical coal operation in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia. Capital expenditure for the project is expected to be $1.7bn on a nominal basis "representing a highly competitive capital intensity ratio." Chief executive Cynthia Carroll said, "Grosvenor is the first of our next phase growth projects and will initiate our industry leading production growth of metallurgical coal from our Australian business over the next decade."

Commenting on the trading outlook, Ian Meakins, Chief Executive said: "Wolseley has continued to grow well, with strong growth in the USA offset by lower growth in some of our European businesses. Given continuing macroeconomic uncertainty, trading conditions may get tougher in the coming months. We will remain vigilant on costs and continue to drive performance improvements, strong cash conversion and better customer service. Our balance sheet is strong and the Group is well positioned to continue to invest selectively where we can generate good returns."

First quarter highlights § Like-for-like revenue growth of 5%. § Gross margin of 27.1% was 0.1% ahead of last year. § Trading profit was 16% ahead at £185 million. § Adjusted net debt of £587 million, £118 million lower than 31 July 2011. § Sold Encon in the quarter, and completed the disposals of Build Center and our minority stake in Stock Building Supply in November. § Completed two acquisitions in the quarter and one in November, in the USA, with aggregate annual revenue of £88 million for consideration of £29 million.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112060700273978T

Commenting on the interim results, James Newman, Chairman of Brulines Group plc, said: "The Group has continued to trade encouragingly in what has remained a difficult economic environment. Good progress has been made across all areas of the business, in particular in the core Leisure division with the continued roll out of iDraughtTM and contract extensions secured with a number of key customers. The Fuel Solutions division has now overcome some initial challenges and is performing closer to expectations. "Overall, the Board believes the Group is well positioned in all of its markets and enjoys a high level of recurring income. Despite the macro-economic backdrop, the Board expects to maintain Brulines' resilient performance for the remainder of the financial year."

Financial Highlights ● Turnover of £11.79 million (H1 2011: £12.27 million) ● Profit before tax of £1.62 million (H1 2011: £1.95 million) and post exceptional items of £(0.1) million (H1 2011: £0.2 million) ● Basic earnings per share of 4.25p (H1 2011: 4.98p) ● Interim dividend payment maintained at 1.67p (H1 2011: 1.67p) ● Recurring revenues account for over 80% of core leisure business; recurring turnover blended across the Group is 70% ● Leisure division operating profit up 2.28% at £2.69 million (H1 2011: £2.66 million) ● Fuel Solutions operating loss of £0.45 million (part H1 2011: £(0.0) million) Operational Highlights ● Continued roll out of iDraughtTM sales with Enterprise Inns placing 500 unit order ● Successful launch of Nucleus Smart Till™ EPOS system ● Contract extensions agreed with Enterprise Inns PLC, Spirit Group PLC, and at an advanced stage with several other core customers ● Continued roll out of Vianet's vending telemetry with leading international brand owners ● Although Fuel Solutions had a difficult Q1 arising from integration problems it achieved operational break even during Q2 ● Post balance sheet acquisition of Lookout Solutions Limited ● Contract with Visa Europe to provide contactless payment technology in its vending machines

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201112060700243839T

Date: Monday 05 Dec 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Medical technology business Smith & Nephew lost 4p on its share price after it was revealed that US medical programme, Medicare, is refusing to pay for patients to stay in hospital for orthopedic operations in 11 states unless the treatment is reviewed and deemed necessary. In a letter between the American College of Cardiology and its members, it was revealed that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will require pre-payment audits on hospital stays for patients who require cardiac care, joint replacements and spinal fusion procedures, as reported on Bloomberg.

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George Dexter, Chief Executive of Armour Group plc commented: "The deterioration in consumer confidence caused by the weak economic environment, particularly in the UK, has made the year to 31 August 2011 the most challenging experienced by the Group. The performance of the Group has been severely affected by the collapse in retail demand, which has been felt most particularly in our home division. Whilst the UK is not technically in a recession, the impact on consumer confidence of the steady stream of poor economic data has resulted in a dramatic fall in consumer demand. The consumer electronics sector, which is our core market and by its very nature exposed to discretionary expenditure, has felt the full force of this downturn in consumer demand. In response to the very difficult trading environment, the Group has implemented a restructuring of the home division and a cost reduction programme throughout all our operations, which has included the closure of our Chinese manufacturing facility. These cost reduction initiatives are expected to realise over £2.5 million in annualised savings. Armour Automotive has enjoyed an encouraging recovery in its performance, with profits before exceptional items in the year increasing from £0.2 million to £0.8 million. In addition, our operations in Asia have continued to grow, with sales increasing by 99% to £1.1 million with every expectation that this will become a profitable operation in 2012. The economic outlook in our core markets continues to be uncertain and the prospects of a recovery in consumer confidence and demand in the near term remain weak. The actions taken by the Group have significantly reduced its cost base and we anticipate an improved trading performance in 2012."