Member Info for mulledwine

Numis upgrades Telecity Group from hold to buy - target price raised from 510p to 650p.

Its the animal feed side that interests me - looks like much potential for continued growth. Profit after tax of the animal feed business improved by 18.8% to RMB6.3 million for H1 2011 (H1 2010: RMB5.3 million) and the business remains cash-flow positive. However, the Board recognises that the business is not core to the Group's activities going forward and with reference to earlier announcements, discussions are taking place with several parties on potential corporate merger or disposal. The Group will update the market on progress in due course.

Concurrent Technologies (CNC) shares jumped 3.25p to 44.25p on the back of its interim report for the six months ended 30th June 2011, in which the group saw turnover increase 27% to 6.87 million pounds and pre-tax profits increase 12.7% to 1.13 million pounds. Growth was boosted by increased sales to the defence and telecommunication industries. Going forward, the manufacturer of high-end computer products looks to concentrate on internal growth, with further development in the highest performance products expected to provide a platform for this.

Michael Collins, Chairman, commented: "As anticipated when reporting on our 2010 performance, trading conditions in the defence sector remain good and we are also pleased to note that the recovery in economic conditions within our other markets continues with improved demand during this first half of 2011. We continue into the second half of the year with a strong order book and, at this stage, expect our 2011 financial performance to be satisfactory, taking into account our continuing increasing investment in new product development."

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2011 Concurrent Technologies Plc (the "Company"), a world leading specialist in the design and manufacture of high-end embedded computer products, for critical applications in the defence, aerospace, transportation, telecommunications, scientific and industrial markets, announces interim results for the six months to 30 June 2011. Highlights: · Profit before tax £1,132,234 (H1 2010: £1,004,649) · Turnover £6,870,601 (H1 2010: £5,412,725) · Earnings per share for the period 1.45p (H1 2010: 1.08p) · Gross Margins 52%, in line with 2010 full year results · Net cash and cash equivalents £5.4m (H1 2010: £4.6m), no borrowings · Interim dividend of 0.60 pence per share (0.55 pence) an increase of 9%. · Strong Order book, 7% up in comparison to the same time in 2010

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201109010700103932N

Yes this is one to hold through the doldrums. Billing Services Group (BILL), the provider of clearing, settlement and financial risk management tools, announced the repayment of 2 million dollars (1.23 million pounds) of senior debt, reducing its outstanding amount to 44 million dollars (27.1 million pounds). The story follows a similar announcement in August in which the group also reduced its debt balance, and was enough to send shares added 0.625p to 7.5p.

Espirito Santo downgrades Land Securities Group from buy to neutral, target price cut from 956p to 820p.

Yes definite potential for a 20% rise.in next few weeks Revenues came in slightly higher than expected at ServicePower Technologies (SVR), despite falling 35% to 6.5 million pounds in the six months ended June 2011, as the group had previously notified that shareholders of a major strategic change in its product mix. As a result of the deposition of lower margin business arms, the service and field management group recorded a pre-tax profit increase of 28.5% to 900,000 pounds. The group saw major contract wins during the period, including those with Homeserve and Steritech, acting as a catalyst for growth. ServicePower shares gained 0.375p to 9.625p.

Commenting on these results Alistair Cox, Chief Executive, said: "This is a strong set of results with operating profits up by 42%**. Our International performance was excellent, delivering 31%* net fee growth with the majority of our overseas operations trading at record levels. We have invested heavily in those businesses and will continue to do so, where market conditions remain appropriate, as the long term structural growth opportunities are excellent. Our strategy of international diversification is delivering returns and two thirds of our Group's net fees are now generated outside the UK. The UK market has been tougher, particularly as recruitment activity in the public sector has dropped significantly over the year. The UK private sector grew strongly in the first half but growth slowed as the year progressed. Consequently, we took early action to both reduce costs as well as focusing our resources on those areas offering the best opportunities. Whilst we remain mindful of the continuing economic and fiscal uncertainty around the world, we continue to see good levels of momentum across most of our markets. In Asia Pacific we continue to see good growth in Australia & New Zealand and strong growth in Asia. In Continental Europe & Rest of World growth remains strong across the division, led by our German business. In the UK we have seen slowing levels of growth in the private sector business, with continued tough but broadly stable markets in the public sector. Looking ahead, we remain focused on taking advantage of the many opportunities available for Hays to grow a more profitable and diversified business."

Highlights · Strong International performance driving Group net fee growth of 18%* and operating profit growth of 33%* · Continued diversification of the business with 64% of Group net fees generated outside the UK · Excellent performance in Asia Pacific with 30%* net fee growth - Australia & New Zealand net fees up 27%*, with exceptional 51%* growth in Asia · Excellent performance in Continental Europe & Rest of World division with 33%* net fee growth - Division operating at record levels driven by 37%* growth in Germany, 60%* growth in Brazil and a further 14 countries growing net fees by more than 20%* · UK net fees down 1%, with 19% growth in private sector net fees offset by 35% decrease in public sector - Actions taken to reduce cost base and defend profitability going forward · Continued investment in the International business with 27% increase in consultant headcount and 12 new offices opened including launch of US and Mexican operations, with Colombia launched in July 2011 · Good cash performance with working capital increase driven by growth in temporary placement net fees · 60% growth in basic earnings per share** to 5.19p with full year dividend unchanged at 5.80p

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110901070000P740B

A new development in the Charter International (CHTR) takeover saga has seen Melrose (MRO) increase its offer price from 840p to 850p per share, and has additionally allowed Charter shareholders to retain their interim dividend of 8p, payable on 2nd September. The deal will consist of 553p in Melrose shares and 297p in cash, although flexibility in the ratio has been indicted. Charter has agreed to enter into discussions with Melrose and has given the acquisition firm access to its books. Shares in Charter flew 36p to 799p, while those in Melrose tumbled 13.8p to 300p.

A new development in the Charter International (CHTR) takeover saga has seen Melrose (MRO) increase its offer price from 840p to 850p per share, and has additionally allowed Charter shareholders to retain their interim dividend of 8p, payable on 2nd September. The deal will consist of 553p in Melrose shares and 297p in cash, although flexibility in the ratio has been indicted. Charter has agreed to enter into discussions with Melrose and has given the acquisition firm access to its books. Shares in Charter flew 36p to 799p, while those in Melrose tumbled 13.8p to 300p.

ING downgrades Michael Page International from hold to sell, target price 325p

Consort Medical (CSRT) kept its "buy" rating from Singer Capital, with a target price of 604p. The medical device manufacturer has won a contract to develop a nasal drug delivery device, to be released in 2015, and the broker states that this demonstrates the company's long term growth prospects. Additionally, Singer notes that Consort has further invested in diagnostic speciality Atlas Genetics to help develop its Velox system, which Consort will manufacture cartridges for, aiding mid-term growth. The shares climbed 13p to 545p

Consort Medical plc Interim Management Statement Consort Medical plc (LSE: CSRT), today issues its interim management statement for the period from 1 May to date. Bespak has enjoyed a strong start to the year, in particular in the Respiratory segment, with growth over prior year in both valves and device services. We have made good progress with our development pipeline and are today also pleased to announce our first contract to produce a nasal drug delivery device for a major pharmaceutical company. We continue to diversify our business into new but related market segments, and in July a consortium of investors, including two leading diagnostics companies, joined Consort in providing £17m of further funding to Atlas Genetics, the point of care diagnostics company in which Consort made its first equity investment in February. Underlying demand for King Systems' core products in the US has remained resilient, despite slow markets. The King Vision video laryngoscope has commenced shipments, with interest levels remaining very encouraging. King's manufacturing transformation programme is progressing as previously indicated. There has been no significant change in the Group's financial position since the publication of the Group's preliminary results for the year ended 30 April 2011 in June 2011. The Group remains strongly cash generative. The Board remains confident about the outlook for the full year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201109011240164470N

Computer hardware and software group Kofax (KFX) remains a "hold" for Panmure Gordon, with a 338p target price. The broker believes that the shares have lost their previous premium, following the announcement of reduced revenue estimates of between 244 million dollars (150.5 million pounds) and 246 million dollars (151.7 million pounds). Panmure reports that the new management team is performing well and has benefited from a recovery in the financial services market. The shares fell 5.7p to 335.3p.

Evolution Securities reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Micro Focus International (MCRO) and increased its target price to 375p, from 330p. The broker says that the software company is performing ahead of expectation in the first quarter, with EBITDA margins of around 40%, against a prediction of 37%, as a result of over 230 job cuts. Additionally, Evolution notes that the company's current EV/NOPAT valuation of 9 times for 2012 is considerably below the sector average of 17 times. Shares in Micro Focus edged down 1.3p to 310.7p.