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http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110503173636M8914

Being a late-cycle industrial play, Trifast is well positioned to benefit from a recovery in its end markets, which gives it scope to grow earnings at double-digit rates well into the foreseeable future. As outlined above, there is plenty of scope to grow margins as operational gearing continues as volumes rise; it is also worth noting that a return to the peak margins of 2008 would suggest a pre-tax profit of more than GBP9 million is achievable in the longer term. The return to more 'normal' levels of activity and the moderate debt position also suggest a resumption of dividend payments is probable in the short to medium term. BUY Says The Small Cap Shares Team

Origo Partners' NAV jumps by a half in 2010 By Benjamin Chiou Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Beijing-based private equity investment firm Origo Partners was able to grow its net asset value (NAV) by 49% in 2010, helped by strong economic growth in China and an increased weighting in the Mongolian market. NAV surged to $196.6m during the 12 months ended 31 December 2010, up from $132m in 2009. While China’s GDP surged by 10.3% during the period, the group said it had invested heavily in the metals and mining sector of Mongolia during the year, “a country which has the potential to become a significant supplier of raw materials to China over the coming years.” As a result, the sector now represents around half of the total portfolio, up from 45% in 2009. However, revenues slipped 24% to $2.8m, from $3.7m, due to the loss of consulting fees following the merger with Origo Resources Partners last year. Pre-tax profit decreased to $36.7m, from $39.5m previously. “Origo goes into 2011 in a stronger position than at any point in our history. The Chinese economy continues to grow strongly, presenting significant opportunities for those able to successfully navigate the Chinese environment,” the group said.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105031543068362F

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105031526068336F

Experian beefs up Latin American presence Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Credit checking outfit Experian is to take a majority stake in Latin American credit services information provider Computec. Experian is offering COP$10,419 per share for Computec, which is listed on the Colombian stock exchange. The terms value the whole of Computec at around US$400m. Computec owns the market leading credit bureau in Colombia, including the most extensive database in Colombia on the credit behaviour of consumers, Experian said. Computec's products include the provision of on-line credit reports, scores, identity validation tools and fraud prevention services. The company serves a diverse customer base across financial services, telecommunications and other industry segments. Computec also provides outsource document services to business to business (B2B) clients such as document design, production and delivery. In addition, Computec owns the only credit bureau in Venezuela and an early stage development bureau in Peru. “In assessing the opportunities for Computec and the growth prospects of the Colombian credit market, Experian has found many similarities to the assessment it made at the time of the acquisition of a majority stake in Serasa in Brazil in 2007,” the company said.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105030800217792F

Stellar gain for Greystar Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Canadian mining company Greystar made stellar gains after a positive scoping stage preliminary assessment for an underground-only operation at its 100%-owned Angostura gold-silver project in north-eastern Colombia. The scoping study, which evaluated roasting, bio-oxidation and pressure oxidation processing treatments for the production from Angostura underground resources, estimated that 1.9 million ounces of gold, 7.7 million ounces of silver and 228,316 pounds of copper could be produced over a 14-year mine life. The study estimates that over the first seven full years of production the mine could generate 209,458 of gold equivalent (AuEq) ounces and generate a pre-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 21.4%. Also according to said study, the pre-tax net present value (NPV)(at a 5% discount rate) of the mine is of $400.2 million. The mine is expected to have a mine life of 14 years at a planned production rate of up to 4,000 tonnes per day. Greystar has also indicated that the potential exists to increase production or enhance mine life (or both) by the further exploration and development of known areas of mineralization. Lastly, and in a separate statement, the company has notified shareholders that it has decided to, “cancel the admission of its common shares to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM") with effect from 7:00 a.m. (BST) on 3 June 2011”. Greystar’s board concluded that because of its mainly Canadian shareholder base, as well as the relatively low volume of trading in shares on AIM, the costs incurred in maintaining a secondary listing exceed the benefits.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110503070014M7311

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110503070003M2993

Sceptre Leisure wins new contracts worth £1.5m By Benjamin Chiou Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Amusement machines operator Sceptre Leisure saw shares rise after announcing three new sole-supply contracts worth a total of £1.5m. The group will supply the 130-site estate of Manchester-based brewery Joseph Holt Ltd and the 13-site pub estate of McManus Pub Company Ltd in two new two-year contracts. Sceptre has also extended its current two-year sole-supply agreement with De Vere Hotels for a further twelve months to August 2012. "These new deals demonstrate our continued progress towards becoming the number one machine operator in the UK pub market. Sceptre will continue to follow its strategy of growth both through organic contract gains, and also through selected strategic acquisitions,” said chief executive Ken Turner. --- BC

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105030700327111F

Tikit trading in line Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Tikit, one of the largest independent suppliers of technology solutions and services to legal and accountancy firms, traded in line with expectations in the first quarter, comfortably ahead of last year’s levels. The company is experiencing strong demand for most of its services and products. Directors at Tikit also feel very encouraged by the size and scope of the opportunities that they are currently working on. Simon Hill, formerly the managing director of Tikit acquisition TFB, is to be promoted to the Tikit board in recognition of his “outstanding performance” since joining the company, where he now has overall responsibility for the sales division of the TikitTFB business unit. Mike McGoun, chairman of Tikit, said that strengthening the board would help Tikit make progress with its acquisition strategy.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105030700247086F

Capital Drilling announces two new contracts Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Emerging markets-focused drilling company Capital Drilling has announced two new contracts wins, which are serving to spur its stock quote sharply higher. The mining services firm has secured its first contract with BHP Billiton, which will see it initially deploy three rigs for development drilling at the Cerro Colorado copper mine, which lies in the Atacama desert, in Chile. The contract is expected to run until late 2011 and the rigs will come from Capital’s existing fleet. The company has also announced the award of a contract with Allied Gold, in the Solomon Islands, for one additional rig which has already begun development drilling. This contract continues to develop the relationship with Allied Gold. The rig required for this contract is also being sourced from its existing fleet.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105030700307482F

AstraZeneca (AZN) The reason for shying away from Astras recent rebound is that in recent months all the encouraging recovery have been slapped down rather cruelly. This may continue to be the case for quite some time, even if there is a weekly close above the now very problematic November resistance line at 3,100p. Indeed, it may be that the shares have to clear 6 month resistance through 3,200p before the bulls can really regard themselves as safe. So says Zak Mir 30/04/11

Whitbread (WTB) The stock market may be breaking out, but Whitbread has been dithering in the recent past. The latest gap down today does not help as it forces us to take the bear argument at least initially. The implication is that while there is no end of day close back above the top of the gap at 1,709p a sub 1,600p March support retest is on the cards over the next couple of weeks. So says Zak Mir 30/04/11

Caledon's production grows despite flooding By Benjamin Chiou Date: Tuesday 03 May 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Despite the severe flooding in early January affecting production at Queensland-focused Caledon Resources, the coal miner was able to grow production numbers in the first quarter of 2011. The amount of raw coal produced at its Cook Mine in the three months to end March was 179,000 tonnes, 18% higher than in the same period of 2010. “Fortunately there was minimal structural damage resulting from the floods and the mine progressively returned to normal operations during the second half of the month,” the group said. Caledon produced 121,000 tonnes of coking coal, an increase of 23% on last year, while thermal coal production leapt 50% to 21,000 tonnes. However, while the amount of coking coal sold grew by 21% to 123,000 tonnes, the group sold 18% less thermal coal in the period, selling just 14,000 tonnes. The average coking coal price during the quarter was US$214/t and is expected to rise to US$258/t in the second quarter. However, the strengthening Australian dollar/US dollar exchange rate is estimated to absorb a “significant portion” of this increase in A$ terms.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201105030700277381F