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http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106271829022172J

FTSE 250 constituent Halma – which makes health and safety equipment – is not, perhaps, a company many private investors will have heard of, yet it should be “on the radar” having delivered 32 years of dividend rises of 5 per cent or more. The full-year results, released last week, made good reading, with a 21 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to GBP104.6 million as revenues advanced to GBP518m. Halma is focussing on increasing its exposure to emerging markets as well as China and India. The Scotsman recommends that any meaningful share price weakness is used an an opportunity to establish a position. Buy, the paper says.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive, Sir Brian Souter, said: "We are seeing growing demand for our bus and rail services in the UK and North America, with further evidence of modal shift as consumers look for better value and more convenient transport alternatives to the rising cost of motoring and increasing road congestion. "The strong results we have achieved across the Group are the result of our successful organic growth strategy. We are focused on providing value-for-money products, continuing to invest heavily in our networks, and harnessing the power of the Internet, new technology and social media to attract new customers and make it easier for people to access our services. "We look forward with confidence to the year ahead. Public transport is central to supporting economic growth and meeting the global challenge of climate change. In the UK, high quality public transport will be at the heart of the successful delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We believe the outlook for our bus and rail services is positive."

Stagecoach Group plc - Preliminary results for the year ended 30 April 2011 Business highlights · Strong Group performance delivering good returns for shareholders o Adjusted earnings per share* up 27.3% to 23.8p o Full year dividend up 9.2% to 7.1p · Completing review of capital structure - will report conclusions in August 2011 · Further megabus.com expansion driving revenue growth in North America · Sector-leading profit margin and good passenger volume growth trends at UK Bus · UK Rail underpinned by operational delivery and customer satisfaction · Shortlisted for Greater Anglia and West Coast rail franchises; Virgin Rail Group in discussions about a franchise extension at West Coast · Positive outlook for the Group's greener, smarter public transport services

http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106290700113100J

http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106291213213542J

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Statement re possible offer for Charter International plc ("Charter") Following speculation concerning Melrose and a possible offer for Charter, the Board of Melrose confirms that on 28 June 2011 it made a preliminary approach to the Board of Charter with a view to entering into discussions about a possible offer for Charter at a value of 780 pence for each Charter share, a premium of 30% over the closing share price on the day prior to the approach. Any offer for Charter by Melrose, if made, would consist of a mix of cash and share consideration. However, Melrose would like to emphasise that there can be no certainty that an offer for Charter will be forthcoming. A further announcement will be made in due course if appropriate.

Statement re possible offer for Charter International plc ("Charter") Following speculation concerning Melrose and a possible offer for Charter, the Board of Melrose confirms that on 28 June 2011 it made a preliminary approach to the Board of Charter with a view to entering into discussions about a possible offer for Charter at a value of 780 pence for each Charter share, a premium of 30% over the closing share price on the day prior to the approach. Any offer for Charter by Melrose, if made, would consist of a mix of cash and share consideration. However, Melrose would like to emphasise that there can be no certainty that an offer for Charter will be forthcoming. A further announcement will be made in due course if appropriate.

http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106291151093560J

Cineworld hoping for Harry Potter magic Date: Wednesday 29 Jun 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Cineworld, the cinema chain, says revenues will remain unchanged on the first half of 2010, in line with previous guidance. In a trading statement the company says box office receipts are up 1.1% on the equivalent period last year but retail sales are down 0.7% Much of a cinema's money is made from selling food and drinks but the first six months of this year were tough, according to Cineworld. One of its biggest films for the period, “The King's Speech” attracted a sizeable audience but the demographic was generally older than normal and older customers do not spend as much on food and drink. Screen advertising revenues were 1.6% below the previous year reflecting the general trading pattern from the film mix. However, the release of more 3D films between May and June boosted retail sales, with cinemas coining it from the hire of 3D glasses. Other highlights include the opening of what Cineworld describes as a “premium cinema concept” called the “Screening Rooms” in Cheltenham. The third quarter sees the 3D release of the finale to the Harry Potter series "Deathly Hallows 2", plus "Cars 2" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," but improving on 2010 still looks difficult as the comparable period saw "Toy Story 3", "Inception" and "Shrek" bringing in the punters. Nevertheless, the final quarter is expected to be strong with the release of "Mission Impossible 4" and "Sherlock Holmes 2". At 9:51am (29/6/11), shares in Cineworld were trading at 199.75p, up 4p on the day. BS

http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106290700123110J

Ex-British Energy man to chair Punch Taverns Date: Wednesday 29 Jun 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - The former finance boss of the nuclear energy group British Energy is to become the new chairman of Britain’s biggest pub group Punch Taverns after it spins off its managed pubs division. Stephen Billingham, who was finance of director of British Energy between 2004 and 2009, when it was taken over by French energy group EDF, replaces Peter Cawdron as chairman of Punch. Punch is planning to demerge Spirit at the end of summer, which will leave it as a tenanted pub operator. Tenanted pubs, which are run by landlords rather than managed centrally, have had a tough time in recent years, mainly due to tough economic conditions. “Stephen brings with him extensive financial turnaround, risk and operational experience, which will be valuable in his role overseeing the development of Punch,” said Punch chief executive Ian Dyson. “This is a business with a strong foundation, improving momentum and good long-term prospects,” said Billingham. At 10.30am, shares in Punch Taverns were up by 1% at 72.65p. ---

LONDON, 29 June 2011 - At the annual general meeting of Ambrian Capital plc, the natural resources investment bank, to be held today, Ambrian's Chairman, Lawrence Banks, will make the following statement. "Ambrian has enjoyed strong trading across its operating businesses for the five months ended 31 May 2011. The performance of Ambrian's physical commodities businesses has exceeded our expectations for the year to date. Our energy business has performed particularly well which is highly encouraging as this is a new business line for Ambrian. Our client-focused corporate finance and equities division continues to build on its strong market leading position in the natural resources sector, breaking even for the same period. Notably, it was recently ranked 2nd in the Metals & Mining sector in the UK small cap Extel 2011 Rankings for a third year running, also attaining a number 2 ranking in the New Energy & Clean Technology sector for the first time. However, the valuations of our principal holdings in both the investment portfolio and in those held within corporate finance and equities have fallen, in line with the recent weakness in resource equity prices. This has impacted the Group's profit before tax for the five months to 31 May 2011. The losses incurred on the investment portfolio to date, all of which are unrealised, amount to about £600,000. Based on the current market value of the portfolios we expect Group profit for the six months ending 30 June 2011, before share option charges and tax, to be approximately £900,000. The balance sheet remains strong with our capital fully deployed in our operating businesses. Upon completion of the sale of the LME futures broking business, as announced in April 2011, the capital thereby released will be deployed in the further growth of Ambrian's physical commodities activities. The sale remains conditional on obtaining regulatory approval. We expect the physical commodities businesses to continue to perform solidly for the rest of the year. The performance of our corporate finance and equities business, which has a strong client base, is dependent on market conditions which continue to be difficult against a backdrop of macroeconomic and political uncertainty. We have diversified our revenue base, strengthened our organisation and increased our financing capability which positions us to benefit from the long term growth in the natural resources market."

http://investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106291108543527J

http://sharecrazy.com/beta/Tips/5465/plastics-capital-reiterate-buy

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106290730033155J

GLOBAL PORTS INVESTMENTS PLC ADMISSION AND START OF UNCONDITIONAL DEALINGS Global Ports Investments PLC ("GPI" and, together with its subsidiaries and joint ventures, "the Group"), the leading container terminal operator serving Russian cargo flows [1], is today pleased to announce that its global depositary receipts ("GDRs"), with one GDR representing an interest in three ordinary shares, have been admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the regulated market of the London Stock Exchange plc. Unconditional dealings in GPI's GDRs commenced on the International Order Book at 8.00 am today under the ticker symbol "GLPR".

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201106290800012949J

Smiths Group was in focus yesterday on renewed hopes of a break-up of the £4.3billion ­engineering and technology ­conglomerate. Shares in airport scanners company Smiths, which earlier this year rebuffed a £2.45billion private equity offer for its medical business, rebounded 42p to 1149p following recent ­weakness, according to the Daily Express.