Member Info for mulledwine

Gresham Computing (GHT) shares soared 7.25p to 44.5p on news the provider of software based solutions expects 2011 trading to be materially ahead of market expectations. "Trading and order visibility has strengthened since the update we provided to the market in April 2011 giving us increased confidence in our outlook for 2011," the group said.

Northland Capital Partners commented on RPS Group (RPS). The broker said, taking into account the headwinds the business has faced during the early part of the year, performance in the first quarter appears to have been solid, providing confidence that financial year expectations are achievable. The company's exposure to the energy sector and Australia should provide the business with good growth opportunities going forward, Northland added. Shares in RPS were untouched at 225.9p.

wobbly - howdy - unfortunately not ... too tied up elsewhere ! - still watching it though -

Shore Capital maintained its "buy" recommendation on N Brown (BWNG), the internet and catalogue home shopping company. Ahead of full-year results next week, the broker is forecasting a pre-tax profit of 98.4 million pounds, which is towards the higher end of the consensus range. This equates to an earnings per share of 25.7p and price-to-earnings ratio of 11.5 times. That said, believing that the group's business model suits the current trading environment, Shore said it was positive on the firm going forward. N Brown shares lost 3.8p to 292p.

Following first quarter results, Evolution Securities reiterated its "add" rating and 750p target price for Smith & Nephew (SN.), the Swiss surgical products and medicals services group. The broker notes that in the run up to the results, there were some concerns in the market about the impact of European austerity measures, the impact of the Japanese natural disasters and the impact of the metal on metal controversy on US BHR sales. The broker said, nevertheless, that in light of these strong set of results, it was confident that management has a "strong and realistic handle on the business". S&N shares edged higher 11p to 691p.

Completion of the acquisition of GE Aviation Systems' legacy fuel measurement business BBA Aviation plc, the leading global aviation support and aftermarket services provider, announces that it has completed its acquisition of GE Aviation Systems' legacy fuel measurement business (the "Business"), having received the necessary approvals. The acquisition was announced on 2 March 2011. The acquisition was made via BBA Aviation's Legacy Support business, part of the Aftermarket Services and Systems division. The acquisition price, as previously announced, is a cash consideration of $62.5m on a cash and debt free basis, in addition to a further investment of approximately $7.0m in working capital and fixed assets.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105061550371376G

Interim Management Statement Molins PLC, the international specialist engineering group, is holding its Annual General Meeting today and is issuing its interim management statement covering the period from 1 January 2011, the start of the Company's financial year, to date. Group sales in the first part of the year were broadly in line with internal plans and at similar levels to the equivalent period in the prior year. Operating performance has also been broadly in line with expectations to date. Order levels in the full year are expected to be in line with those included in the Group's internal plans and the board's expectations of Group performance in the full financial period remain unchanged. There has been no significant change in the financial position of the Group since 31 December 2010.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105061405541210G

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105060700160593G

RPS still confident despite Australia floods Date: Friday 06 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Flooding and cyclones in Australia hurt RPS’s trading in the first quarter of 2011, but the environmental services group remains upbeat. Profits in the first half are likely to be similar to those in 2010, as a result of the Australian disruption RPS said, adding that growth in the second half should allow market expectations for 2011 to be achieved. “So long as economic recovery continues, we are optimistic this is likely to mark the beginning of a new period of growth for RPS,” chairman Brook Land said.

6 May 2011 Inmarsat plc Final Dividend In line with our announcement on 8 March 2011, Inmarsat plc recommends a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010 of 22.69 cents (US$) per ordinary share to shareholders on the share register as at 13 May 2011 for payment on 27 May 2011.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110506132000Z2512

riddler - got your message on PHC - will do some digging here over the weekend although I am nightshift which does not help - certainly been good SP movement since summer last year. ATB

riddler - cheers - will do

The engineering and construction company Costain looks like it’s in pretty solid shape despite recent market turmoil, with yesterday’s update showing that it had secured GBP850m in revenues for 2011. Moreover, the group has more than GBP100m in cash on the balance sheet and no significant borrowings to speak of. In other words, the picture looks rather rosy. That, coupled with an affordable forward-earnings multiple of under 9 times, makes this a stock worth buying, in our view. Buy, says the Independent.

Rexam, maker of cans and plastic packaging for anyone from Coca-Cola and Heineken to US consumer products manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, wants to achieve a return on capital employed of between 12% and 15% over the next three years. For 2010, the figure achieved was 12.3%. Rexam shares are on about 11 times this year’s earnings and should have further to go in the long term, says the Times.

http://www.iii.co.uk/articles/15309/stock-watch-jd-wetherspoon

Laird posts 46% rise in Q1 profit Date: Friday 06 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Electrical components group Laird posted a 46% rise in underlying pre-tax profit during the first quarter and said its performance to date has been consistent with targets at the time of its full year results in March. Total revenue in the first quarter of 2011 rose to £145.3m compared with £129.4m the same time a year earlier. Operating margins also improved on last year. The group added that it is well placed to deliver further strong progress during the remainder of the year. "We continue to develop those of our businesses which have strong revenue and margin growth prospects, while addressing the increasingly small minority which no longer show the same potential," Laird said in Friday's update. "Our business has good momentum, and we believe that we are well placed to deliver further strong progress during the remainder of the year." The group also announced that Managing Director Marty Rapp will be leaving the group at the end of August.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105060700170632G