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Commenting on the results, Boris Ivesha, President and Chief Executive Officer, Park Plaza said: "Park Plaza has delivered a strong trading performance in the first half of 2011. We have benefitted from acquisitions and development activity in 2010 as well as a continued recovery in the European hotel market and as a result delivered year on year occupancy, average room rate and RevPAR growth over the period. The trends seen in the first half have been maintained into the start of the second half of the year, with improvements in year on year RevPAR across all the regions in which Park Plaza operates. We remain focused on our growth strategies of driving top line growth and maintaining operational efficiency whilst continuing to expand our portfolio of hotels through acquisitions, joint ventures and developments."

Unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2011 Highlights · Strong first half trading performance with revenue and EBITDA growth. · Significant benefit of hotel acquisitions and openings in 2010 is now being seen. · Encouraging like for like performance reflecting recovery in the European hotel market. · Refinancing of existing banking facilities for Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. · Admission to the standard listing segment of the Official List and to the main market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2011.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108190700126501M

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108190700106473M

Proposed return of cash of approximately £340m 19 August 2011 1. Highlights Stagecoach Group plc ("the Company" or "Stagecoach") is today announcing proposals to return approximately £340m to its shareholders (the "Return of Cash"). The highlights of the proposals are: · Proposed one-off Return of Cash of approximately £340m to shareholders (equivalent to approximately 20% of current market capitalisation) · Return of 47 pence per Existing Ordinary Share · Return to be effected by D Share structure · Shareholders to have a choice between "income" or "capital" (subject to the restrictions explained herein) · Existing Ordinary Shares to be ultimately consolidated into New Ordinary Shares (the "Share Capital Consolidation") · Return of Cash is conditional upon shareholder approval · Return of Cash is intended to establish a more appropriate and efficient capital structure The group of companies of which the Company is the ultimate parent company is referred to in this announcement as "the Group".

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108190700166471M

The future Since the announcement on 25 January 2011 of the suspension of the Company's shares from trading on AIM with immediate effect, the Group has faced considerable challenges. However, following the conclusion of the internal investigations and the subsequent progress made to improve all the business processes and governance and to re-engineer the business, your Board believes that HCL is now in a position where, subject to shareholder approval of the Refinancing, it is able to look forward to the future with confidence. The UK business, which remains a leading business in its field, is in a good position to grow and to meet the changing requirements of the UK healthcare staffing market. The HCA business in Australia has continued to trade in line with expectations since its acquisition. We also believe that synergies can be achieved over time by owning both the Australian and UK healthcare recruitment businesses. The complexity and extent of the challenges faced by the Company has meant that the process of producing these audited Financial Statements has taken considerably longer than initially expected. Nevertheless, the action taken by your Board has been appropriate in restoring stability and positioning the Group for sustainable growth in the future. Despite its recent troubles, HCL remains fundamentally a good business. Today the Group employs some 580 staff and plays a very important role in fulfilling medical staffing needs in both Australia and the UK, with over 13,000 locums placed and over 600 permanent placements made in the first half of 2011. In what has been an exceptionally challenging period for HCL, I would like to thank our staff for the tremendous commitment and dedication they have shown. The Board and I are confident that HCL can grow again and prosper from here on. Peter Sullivan Chairman

Ordinarily such impressive results would propel the SP up - in this current economic climate nothing is certain

Clifford Elphick, CEO, commented: "In the first six months of 2011 the Group achieved a record EBITDA of US$90.8 million which exceeds the EBITDA generated for the whole of 2010. The first half of 2011 has seen the continued benefit of Letšeng having a more active role in managing its sales and marketing strategy, as well as the implementation of the downstream initiatives. The new monthly pricing mechanism agreed with Tiffany & Co. for Ellendale's fancy yellow diamonds has resulted in average prices rising by 52.1% from January 2011 to July 2011. Mined rough diamond supply is still below the pre crash highs. Lower stocks of rough and polished diamonds in the cutting centres and strong diamond jewellery demand from India and China have resulted in record rough diamond prices being achieved, reflected in rising polished diamond prices. Work has commenced on the construction of Phase 1 of the Ghaghoo project in Botswana and the pre-feasibility study into the substantial increase in production at Letšeng is nearing completion. With a strong balance sheet of US$165.6 million of cash on hand, Gem Diamonds is well positioned to deliver on its growth plan and benefit from the positive supply demand dynamics. The current economic uncertainty, however, remains a risk."

Operational highlights: § Letšeng achieved a record average value of US$3 052 per carat in H1 2011 (US$1 728 per carat in H1 2010). § Letšeng produced 105 rough diamonds that were valued at greater than US$20 000 per carat. § Letšeng produced a total of 295 rough diamonds greater than 10.8 carats in size. § Ellendale achieved a record average price of US$4 045 per carat for its fancy yellow diamonds in H1 2011 (US$2 588 per carat in H1 2010). § A new pricing mechanism has been agreed for the fancy yellows which has resulted in price increases of 35.3%. § The pre-feasibility study for the Letšeng expansion is nearing completion and a detailed presentation by Gem Diamonds management will be made on the Letšeng expansion in London on 5 September 2011. § The first stage of the development of the Ghaghoo mine in Botswana (formerly known as Gope) has commenced. Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Key Points: § Subsequent to the Company's record safety achievements in 2010, a vehicle accident at Letšeng regrettably resulted in a fatality in March 2011. § Group-wide All Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) of 4.55 (well below both the 2011 AIFR threshold and 2008 - 2010 AIFRs). § Ellendale remains LTI free since August 2009 (668 LTI free days as at the end of June). § Zero major environmental and community incidents year to date.

Gem Diamonds (LSE: GEMD) a leading diamond mining company reports its results for the half year ended 30 June 2011 (H1 2011): H1 2011 Highlights: § Record rough diamond prices achieved. § Record EBITDA of US$90.8 million: - 489% increase over the US$18.5 million achieved in H1 2010. - exceeding the US$82.0 million achieved for the full year 2010. § Record attributable earnings of US$28.9 million (20.89 US cents per share). Financial Highlights: § Revenue of US$196.5 million; (US$103.9 million in H1 2010). § Cash generated from operating activities of US$101.2 million; (US$27.9 million in H1 2010). § Profit before tax from continuing operations of US$79.0 million; (US$7.8 million in H1 2010). § US$165.6 million cash on hand (US$108.3 million in H1 2010).

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108190700116499M

Craig Rochford, Chairman of IPSO, said: "This has been our most challenging year so far. However, through the actions we have taken during the year under review, the subsequent fundraising and the undoubted progress we have made in our portfolio, we believe that we are well placed to deliver better shareholder value from our activities."

IPSO Ventures plc (AIM: IPS) ("IPSO", the "Company" or the "Group"), the technology commercialisation business, is pleased to announce its audited results for the year ended 30 April 2011. Highlights: A difficult year for IPSO, but positive developments with portfolio companies: · Therakind sold its interest in one of its products for a significant upfront fee and future royalties on product sales. This product has now received a positive opinion regarding approval from the European Medicines Agency · IPSol Energy raised over £400,000 from investors and has been recommended for accreditation by UKAS to become the UK's first solar photovoltaic certification centre · Cambridge Meditech signed an agreement with Lantor to develop its technology · Polyfect has secured collaborations with major international manufacturers · Increased revenues from £83,000 to £155,000 · Further reductions in overhead costs · Net assets per share: 4.91 pence (adjusted for the share issue in July 2011)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108190700106417M

Shares in Savills (SVS) rose 1.6p to 314.1p on news of a 39% increase in pre-tax profits to 20 million pounds following a 10% increase in revenue to 335.8 million pounds for the six months ended 30th June 2011. The real estate advisor saw strong growth in its transaction advisory business driven by demand for prime location in Central London and continued strength in the Asia Pacific markets, while fund management profits rose 20% on the back of a 25% rise in fee income. Chief executive Jeremy Helsby believes "Savills remains well positioned with long term growth prospects across ... core regions".

Rudolf van Megen, Chief Executive Officer of SQS, said: "I am delighted to announce this series of contract wins which highlight the compelling value propositions our products and services deliver to organisations across a wide range of market verticals. The ever expanding scope and scale of the contracts we are bidding on, and winning, is testament to the success of our strategic focus on the provision of pure play independent testing and managed services. These contract wins provide us with confidence for the expansion of our regional presence and market share."

New contracts worth €22m SQS Software Quality Systems AG (AIM: SQS.L), the world's largest pure play supplier of independent software testing and quality management services, announces a series of new contract wins worth €22m in total. SQS will provide Test Management, Automation and Functional Testing to a large European logistics company. Worth €10m over the next 2 years this is one of SQS' largest contract wins ever. The Company has also secured a further significant contract, worth €5m over the next 3 years, to provide Test Management, Automation and Functional Testing to the French operations of a global insurance provider. In order to manage this contract SQS is in the process of establishing its first operations in France consisting of up to 25 employees. In addition, the Company has secured contracts with four leading retail companies worth a total of €3.3m, including one with a global UK supermarket chain. SQS has also signed three contracts with organisations in the Public Services Sector worth a total value of €2.5m. Further to this, the Company has signed a contract to deliver Automated Testing to a multi-national media company worth €0.5m and a contract with a major UK Utilities company worth €0.3m.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201108180700145705M

Utilico Emerging Markets Limited Proposed move to the Main Market Utilico Emerging Markets Limited ("UEM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to seek a premium listing of its ordinary shares on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to apply for admission to trading of such shares on the London Stock Exchange plc's main market for listed securities. The UEM Board believes that a move to the main market will provide the Company with a number of potential benefits, including increased liquidity, an enhanced market profile and access to a larger pool of investors. A prospectus is currently being prepared by the Company and its advisers and it is expected that publication will take place in September, together with a notice convening a special general meeting of UEM's shareholders, with admission of the ordinary shares expected to take place in October. A further announcement will be made in due course.