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Playtech has not exactly been a frequent flyer as far as Zaks-TA.com is concerned over the year, but of course after today’s appearance all this could change. The reason for saying this is the 3 clear bear trap probes back below 300p since the March low was put in. The implication is that while there is no end of day close back below 300p and help from bullish divergence in the RSI window we should be treated to a retest of the falling black 200 day moving average now at 359p over the next 4 – 6 weeks.

The current position of Diageo shares after the intraday probe to 1,082p would be rather more of a mystery if we have not seen similar bear trap moves in both December and March along a falling neckline support. The implication is that while there is no end of day close back below the October line at 1,100p the upside here could be a retest of the mid August 1,200p intraday peak in the first half of September. So reckons Zak Mir

Estates - This division has finalised the planning and initiated the marketing for Stobart's multimodal site in Widnes. Other commercial and industrial property opportunities are being considered and further value has been generated in existing investment properties. Infrastructure and Civil Engineering - External work remains slow but internal developments are progressing well, in particular the London Southend Airport project remains on target to meet the development milestones required for launch of the new runway in 2012. The challenges to the extension of the runway have been unsuccessful. This allows full development of the Airport with no further legislative obstacles. Air - At London Southend Airport, following the announcement of a 10 year contract in June, easyJet have announced a number of further routes and there is significant interest in the airport from other operators. The airport railway station, operated by Stobart Rail, opened in July creating another revenue stream for the Group. Carlisle Lake District Airport's revised planning application is being considered by Carlisle Council. The Group remains hopeful that the airport will receive the backing for its investment plans. Biomass - The biomass fuel supply division has traded over 200,000 tonnes of product during the last six months with significant export volume into Scandinavia. Volumes are expected to double in the second half, delivering strong profit growth during the period.

26 August 2011 Stobart Group ('Stobart' or 'the Group'), a leading provider of multimodal transport logistics, property development and biomass supply, is issuing its pre-close trading statement prior to the announcement of interim results, expected on 26 October 2011. The Group has progressed well in the first six months of the year and expects to deliver pre-tax profits ahead of the same period last year. The Group has reorganised into five key operating divisions and set out on a three year plan to deliver significant value to shareholders. The divisions have experienced different challenges during the six month period against the background of difficult markets, but have delivered a number of successes, as outlined below. Transport & Distribution - Over the past 12 months the transport market has witnessed significant change, predominantly led by consumer buying patterns. The result is shorter lead time, significant fluctuations in volume caused by promotions and increasingly inaccurate customer forecasting. These changes culminated in a difficult period from the end of May through to the middle of July, by which point the business had implemented measures and systems to ensure it could successfully meet these challenges. During this difficult period the performance of the business was impacted. However, August trading has improved materially and we expect a stronger second half to the financial year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108260700100815N

In order to expand its influence in Russia, marketing company Aegis (AGS) has agreed to buy the holding company of outdoor media group Master Ad for a maximum of 100 million euros (88.21 million pounds). Aegis will pay an initial consideration of 15 million euros (13.23 million pounds) with the rest subject to milestone achievements. Separately, the firm reported first half pre-tax profits of 35.6 million pounds, up 40.7% year-on-year, which it attributes to increased exposure to fast growing markets and North America. Aegis also noted that client expenditure levels are ahead of last years and the group expects organic revenue growth to be at least in-line with last year's performance

25/08/2011 OMG (OMG) shares declined 0.125p to 20.375p on news that 2d3, the group's defence and aerial business, had signed a 396,000 dollar (242,000 pound) contract with the US Army Geospatial Centre. The technology group will performed applied research work focused on the generation of 3D information from 2D imagery resources in urban environments. Nick Bolton, chief executive commented "our research will help the army make more informed decisions by helping them to better understand their operational environment".

Expansion into fast growing emerging markets has seen pre-tax profits at Diageo (DGE) rise 5.4% to 2.36 billion pounds for the year ended 30th June 2011. The spirits producer has invested 1.6 billion pounds over the year in acquisition activity, including the takeover of Mey Icki in Turkey and an increased stake in ShuiGingFang in China. The group added that while consumer confidence remains low, it has seen some improvement in the premium and super premium segments

IMI (IMI) reported adjusted pre-tax profits (before exceptional items) of 171.3 million pounds for the six months ended 30th June, up 26% year-on-year. The engineering company attributed the performance to an improvement in trading conditions in most of its end markets. While the group noted a weakening in macroeconomic indicators in recent weeks it claims to have felt only a minor slowdown in South Europe and UK, and none in the wider market. Additionally, IMI claims to have identified further acquisition opportunities, following on from its takeover of Zimmermann & Jansen last year.

Numis upgrades Hardy Underwriting from reduce to hold, target price raised from 215p to 225p.

Citigroup initiates buy on Senior, target price 183p.

Panmure Gordon maintained its buy stance on Melrose (MRO), raising its 2012 and 2013 estimates by 2% to reflect the upbeat prospects of the group's Energy division. A poorly performing Other Industrial portfolio and higher financial costs prevented a higher revision in earnings estimates. The broker maintain its price target of 380p as the group's surprise rise in debt has been offset by higher trading margins.

Brewin Dolphin reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Salamander Energy (SMDR), with a target price of 388p. The broker notes that the oil and gas company increased average production by 23% to 19,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day for the six months ended 30th June, with current production at around 23,200 boepd. The group is targeting an annual production average of between 21,000 and 22,000 boepd, adds Brewin.

Merchant Securities reiterated its "sell" recommendation for Topps Tiles (TPT) after the struggling interior decorator issued a warning that full year pre-tax profits will be below market expectations of 15.5 million pounds. Like-for-like sales fell 10.4% in the first seven weeks of the fourth quarter, ended 20th August, and the broker adds its concern over the company's high leverage and the poor UK consumer outlook.

Natixis retains buy on InterContinental Hotels, target cut from 1,500p to 1,200p

"In these tough market conditions we are encouraged by the performance of our market leading products. Whilst recent events suggest an even tougher autumn ahead, the second half should see the impact of newly launched products gather pace. Most significantly the AGA Total Control will be a factor in driving UK sales performance and its European launch is scheduled for this autumn. The Group is confident that it is well positioned to be a major beneficiary of any upturn in consumer confidence because of the investment in product and the operational gearing of the business."

Financial and operational highlights Ø Operating profit increased to £2.9 million (half year 2010: £0.8 million). Ø Net cash at 30th June 2011 of £25.2 million (30th June 2010: £22.4 million). Ø Launch of AGA Total Control key to future growth prospects for cast iron cookers. Ø Rangemaster remains a clear UK market leader and exports were a record 27% of cooker sales. Ø Improved performance at AGA Marvel, Grange and Fired Earth. Ø Interim dividend up by 14% to 0.8 pence.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108260700060575N

Impressive

Commenting on the results, Mr Nick Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, said: "New Britain Palm Oil's performance was very strong in the first half of 2011 with a record profit before tax of USD 158.8 million excluding IAS 41 effects, reflecting higher palm oil prices and improved productivity. This compares favourably to the 2010 first half year profit of USD 46.2 million and full year profit of USD 131.2 million. These results include a one-off contribution of approximately USD 8.9 million net profit on disposal of the Company's 50% interest in PT Dami Mas Sejahtera, and net foreign exchange gains of USD 18 million primarily arising from a strengthening Papua New Guinea currency (PNG Kina) and the weakness in the US Dollar. World CPO prices have been robust during the first half trading in a range of approximately USD 1,100 and USD 1,300/tonne with good demand and global stocks of oil remaining relatively low. The Group achieved an average CPO selling price of USD 1,122/tonne on the back of record production of 297,813 tonnes of crude palm oil, including some 95,024 tonnes contribution from the acquisition of Kula Palm Oil Limited (KPOL) completed in May 2010. Overall, the Group processed over 1.29 million tonnes of oil palm fruit during the first half of 2011, including 423,404 tonnes from KPOL, representing a 36% increment over the same period last year. The cropping outlook for the next quarter appears to be equally strong particularly in West New Britain and at RAIL. Our refinery in Liverpool continues to meet our expectations and has been EBIDTA positive since March 2011, with good, consistent margins. Volumes delivered to our customers continue to increase on a monthly basis and the refinery is now running at approximately 70% of our installed capacity. Civil works are well underway for our bakery products plant adjacent to our Liverpool refinery with the majority of equipment scheduled to arrive in September with the project on track for commissioning in early 2012. We remain very well positioned to satisfy the growing market requirement for high grade fully traceable and sustainable physical oils together with speciality fats and margarines both in the UK and on the Continent with our supply partners Wilmar International in Germany The Company continues to invest in its operations and the board remains confident of delivering further growth and progress."