Member Info for mulledwine

Natixis upgrades Compass Group from neutral to buy, target price raised from 570p to 640p

Deutsche Bank upgrades Bunzl from hold to buy, target price cut from 832p to 811p.

Merchant Securities downgrades Robert Walters from buy to sell, target price cut from 400p to 300p.

Merchant Securities downgrades Michael Page International from buy to sell, target price cut from 625p to 300p.

Commenting on the results, David Sleath, Chief Executive said: "Against a backdrop of slowly recovering occupier markets, our key priority has remained operational delivery, focused on customer retention, leasing, cost control and pre-let development. These strong figures are a testament to the quality and location of most of our assets and the customer focus and hard work of our teams on the ground. We remain mindful of the broader economic and financial risks currently affecting markets and continue to take a prudent approach to managing the business. However I am pleased with the operational results we have achieved in the first half and am confident that SEGRO will continue to make further operational progress."

Further expansion of development pipeline · 29 developments completed, under construction or contracted representing aggregate capital expenditure of approximately £205 million and annualised rental income of approximately £24 million, of which 75 per cent is let or pre-let · Strong platform for future development provided by £395 million well located land bank with the potential to generate estimated annualised rental income of £110 million on capital expenditure of £900 million Capital values stable - 0.2 per cent net reduction in valuation of completed properties · Positive performances from key assets in South East England, France, Germany and Poland (in total 76 per cent of the portfolio) · Valuation declines in other areas of the portfolio including Birmingham, Manchester and certain Continental European assets (in total 24 per cent of the portfolio)

Strong operational delivery · £20.2 million of new annualised rental income secured from lettings of existing space and pre-let developments to be delivered in later periods (H1 2010: £19.8 million) · Customer retention rate significantly improved from 58 per cent to 74 per cent and takebacks down 32 per cent (£13.1 million of annualised rental income lost as a result of space returned (H1 2010: £19.2 million)) · Group vacancy rate reduced to 11.4 per cent at 30 June 2011 down from 12.0 per cent at 31 December 2010 and 14.0 per cent at 30 June 2010 Operational performance drives strong earnings · EPRA profit before tax up 10.6 per cent to £71.1 million · Like for like net rental income increased by 5.1 per cent

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108230700148300M

TPKart - re Halifax - hmmmmm thats odd - when I tried I could only sell or buy £1000 on line - not sure what thats about! As far as ATUK is concerned I believe there is big potential here - fingers in many pies so to speak and with all the cost cutting going on it seems the ethos behind this business will take it far. I personally think the SP should be a lot higher as it should be thriving on the fact others need to save money!....I will hold and see how it pans out.

CHARTER INTERNATIONAL PLC ("Charter" or the "Company") Statement re possible offer for Charter 23/08/2011 The Company notes today's press speculation regarding a possible offer for Charter. The Company confirms that it is in discussions with a potential offeror other than Melrose PLC regarding a possible offer for the Company. These discussions are at an early stage and there can be no assurance that they will lead to an offer for the Company. A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate. END

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108231042598625M

TPKart howdy - - still cant sell or buy with halifax unless a n/t - who are you trading with and what size of dummy sell did you try? Not that I wish to sell ! just interested. GL

You cant buy or sell any real volume without going to n/t - when yoou do the trading range is 9.1 - 9.4 and not 9.0 - 9.75 as indicates here and elsewhere

Daily Mail & General Sale of GLM 23rd August, 2011 Daily Mail and General Trust plc (`DMGT') Sale of George Little Management (`GLM') On 10th June, 2011 DMGT announced that strategic alternatives were being considered with respect to its U.S. retail-focused events managed by GLM. DMGT has now agreed terms to sell GLM to Providence Equity Partners, the leading global private equity firm focused on media, communications, information services and education investments, for approximately £106 million ($173 million). The transaction, which is subject to a number of conditions including regulatory approvals, is expected to complete in late September. On completion, DMGT expects to receive cash of approximately £90 million ($147 million), which will be used to reduce net borrowings, and an interest-bearing note for the balance of the proceeds. The adjusted operating profits of GLM in the last year to 3rd October 2010 (before amortisation and impairment charges) were £15.7 million, and the gross assets at that date were £123 million.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110823073802P1BF2

Commenting on the results, Chairman, Tim Harris, said: "These encouraging results confirm the effectiveness of the Company's strategy of taking UK based skills and applying them in the vast and fast growth marine service markets of Asia and the developing world. We are investing in those companies with the best record and prospects for organic growth and continue to track a number of interesting acquisition prospects. Our cash conversion is strong and with a reasonable level of gearing, we have the ability to invest further in bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen our existing operations. Trading in the second half to date has been to management expectations and we are well placed to provide further growth and value for our shareholders."

Highlights · Encouraging revenue growth of 12% to £148m · Specialist mooring and ship to ship oil transfer markets remained strong, particularly in Asia and Africa · 26% profit growth in Offshore Oil with all geographies contributing · 29% revenue growth in Defence, reflecting the growing success of Subsea activities · Improvements in Marine Oil in Q2 and agreed sale of mv Audacity for £2.4m · Strong cash flow with financial gearing reduced to 83% (HY 2010: 97%)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108230700138299M

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108230700128282M

John Nichols, Chief Executive, commented: "We are delighted to report another excellent set of results, with profit before tax of £10.3m for the first six months of 2011. Trading has been especially strong in the Group's core pawnbroking operations with year on year increases in the key performance indicators of both lending and redemption. As a result, the gross pledge book has risen to £41.2m as at 30 June 2011 and the Group has delivered a 14% increase in its key revenue stream, the Pawn Service Charge. "Performance of the stores added in recent years continues to be excellent and supports the Board's view of the growth potential they offer. We have opened 15 new stores year to date, including the achievement of a significant milestone for the Group with the recent opening of our 150th store. In addition the Group currently has 45 Gold Bar retail mall units. "The outlook remains positive and on the basis of the current gold price we are pleased to announce our expectation for full year results to be above the top end of current market forecasts. The Board has approved an interim dividend of 3.75 pence, which itself represents compound growth of 23% per annum since flotation."