Member Info for mulledwine

Operating Highlights · Underlying revenue growth of 12% in Life Sciences was driven by continued steady growth in Healthcare funding in Canada and Australia. The acquisition of CMI and its combination with AMT's endoscopy business has created a strong position in the growing GI endoscopy market. · Seals delivered underlying revenue growth of 26% and a strong increase in operating margins. The core Aftermarket business in North America increased its share of the market through its superior levels of customer service and complete inventory. Sales in international markets and to specialised Industrial OEMs also grew strongly. · Controls performed well against a challenging economic and market backdrop, with underlying revenue growth of 12%. Reductions in Defence budgets were moderated by the focus on repair, refurbishment and upgrade programmes. Robust demand from specialised markets including Motorsport, Medical equipment and Energy.

Financial Highlights · Revenue up 26% as businesses benefitted from strong demand and a good contribution from acquisitions; adjusted profit before tax up 39% to £44.9m. · Adjusted operating margin at record 19.6% reflecting focus on added value services and benefits from prior year cost reductions. · Strong underlying organic growth with revenue and adjusted operating profits up 17% and 31%, respectively, after adjusting for currency and acquisitions. · Free cash flow of £25.0m despite return of working capital to more normal levels. · Net cash of £12.2m (2010: £30.1m), after significant investment of £28.2m acquiring businesses and minority interests. · Full year dividend up 33% at 12.0p (2010: 9.0p).

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201111210700134126S

Resolution Limited ("Resolution" or "the Company") Statement regarding recent press speculation Resolution notes recent press speculation and confirms that, whilst it did investigate the possible acquisition of Phoenix Group Holdings ("Phoenix") with both Phoenix and its lending banks, these talks have terminated. As part of its UK Life Project, Resolution continually investigates a variety of bolt-on opportunities. Any acquisition must have a strong financial case and enhance returns to shareholders. The hurdle to executing any particular transaction is therefore high. The UK Life Project continues to progress well, as evidenced by the Company's market announcement on 9 November. This set out the Company's intention to return a further £250 million to shareholders in the first half of 2012 subject to the delivery of planned capital synergies expected to be delivered in 2011 and following regulatory approval. The announcement also set out an expected increase in aggregate 2011 dividend to 19.89 pence per share, outlined the strong progress being made towards the Friends Life new business targets and announced strategic initiatives in outsourcing and the decision to create an in-house asset manager within Friends Life.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201111210700164169S

Response to Press Speculation Mecom Group plc ("Mecom") notes recent speculation in the Norwegian press concerning a potential sale of Edda Media ("Edda"), Mecom's Norwegian division. Mecom confirms that it has received a number of approaches for Edda and that it is in discussions with various parties. No decision has been made to proceed with any transaction and a further statement will be made in due course if and when appropriate.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201111210700164172S

Commenting Tom Burnet, Chief Executive Officer of Lo-Q plc said: "We are delighted to be extending our enduring partnership with Six Flags for another six years. This is the clearest proof yet of the power of our existing and new products, the strength of our sales force and the long-term opportunity open to us." Also welcoming the announcement John Bement, Senior Vice President, In-Park Services at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation said: "We are pleased to be extending and broadening our relationship with Lo-Q, the leading provider of virtual line queuing systems. Six Flags prides itself on offering our guests outstanding technology and The Flash Pass is an important element in enhancing our guests' experience when they visit our parks."

New Agreement with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation ("Six Flags") extends relationship to the end of 2017 - Agreement delivers first sales of Lo-Q's Q-band Water Park solution - Lo-Q (AIM: LOQ), the AIM listed provider of virtual queuing systems for theme parks and major attractions, is pleased to announce the signing of a new agreement (the "Agreement") with Six Flags: the Company's largest customer and the world's largest regional theme park operator. The Agreement extends the term of Lo-Q's existing agreement with Six Flags, which was due to expire on 31 December 2012, to 31 December 2017. Under the terms of the Agreement, Lo-Q will continue to supply its Q-bot solution to the eleven Six Flags sites at which it currently operates. In addition, following the success of the Q-band trial at Six Flags White Water Atlanta and the positive guest feedback received, Six Flags has agreed to progress from this trial to a formal, contracted solution at this park. The Agreement also provides that Six Flags will install Q-band systems at seven other water park sites within its estate as quickly as possible. Finally, the Agreement provides for an assignment of additional patent rights to Lo-Q that enhances its virtual queuing portfolio.

http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=5150221

Belgian judicial experts appointed at the reque... The Belgian judicial experts that were appointed at the request of Deminor to investigate the break-up of the former Fortis group have filed their final report. In November 2008, at the request of Deminor, the President of the Brussels Commercial Court appointed three judicial experts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the break-up of the former Fortis group. Their mission in carrying out this investigation included gaining a better understanding of how the financial conditions surrounding the transfer of Fortis assets to the Dutch and Belgian authorities and to BNP Paribas in October 2008 transpired; to provide greater transparency with respect to the valuation methods applied to these assets; and to investigate whether in depth due diligence took place preceding the sale of the Fortis assets. The final report filed by the experts on 18 November includes a detailed chronological account of the facts between 26 September 2008 and 6 October 2008; a description of documents and information available during this period to determine the sales price of the assets; an outline of current valuation methods; and a review of the valuation documents relating to Fortis Bank and to the Dutch banking and insurance assets of the former Fortis group. Following expert reports that were published previously[1], and the 2 judgments of the Amsterdam court rendered earlier this year[2], Ageas welcomes the publication of this report as a further step forward in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the break-up of the former Fortis group. Ageas acknowledges the fact that in many respects the findings of the report largely coincide with the conclusions of the earlier reports and court decisions referred to above. However, Ageas does not agree with all interpretations and conclusions provided by the experts. With a view to maximum transparency towards all of the shareholders and investors, Ageas has decided to publish the full report on www.ageas.com (http://www.ageas.com/Documents/Rapport_experts_18-11-2011.pdf). However, in order to respect the privacy legislation, the identity of the individuals mentioned in the report was masked. The text is only available in French.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20111121063035H5230

Collins Stewart downgrades Hill & Smith from buy to hold, target price cut from 380p to 266p.

Charles Stanley initiates add Dialight, target price 700p

Charles Stanley initiates sell Advanced Medical Solutions, target price 70p.

Morgan Stanley upgrades Amlin from equal weight to overweight, target price cut from 402p to 384p.

Collins Stewart upgrades Amlin from sell to buy, target price raised from 275p to 365p.

Altium Securities initiates sell on Greggs, target price 430p.

Pork product specialist Cranswick saw its margins take a hit during the first six months of its financial year, ended on the past 30th of September, as the prices of pigs rose versus last year. Aggravating that was the tough operating environment, which tied the company´s hands behind its back as regards raising prices to defend margins. However, since then the price of pigs has fallen, to approximately 145p a kilo. In January, the price was 135p. Furthermore, pork meat meat is cheaper and it remains a healthy alternative to red meat, which could benefit the company during these times of austerity, a trend the company´s chairman has already confirmed. Another factor to be taken into account is that the firm renegotiated its debt in March, resulting in a 35% reduction in financing costs during the half year. Thus, “the second half of the year looks more promising, with cost inflation no longer a major issue and "robust" revenues,” writes the Sunday Telegraph´s Questor team, which rates the shares at Buy.

Contract caterer Compass brings out full-year figures on Wednesday, with the market expecting profits before tax to burst through the billion pounds barrier. Market consensus is for pre-tax profit of £1.01bn on turnover of £15.6bn. Earnings per share are set to rise to 38.7p from 35.7p last year, while the full-year dividend is tipped to be 19.37p, although broker Charles Stanley goes for a nice round number of 19p with its dividend forecast, which would still be a decent improvement on last year’s 17.5p pay-out.