Member Info for mulledwine

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104040700121972E

Close Brothers (CBG) has agreed to acquire national IFA firm Cavanagh in a 26.2 million pounds deal, marking the firm's third acquisition in just seven months following the purchase of Chartwell Group in September 2010 and Allenbridge Group in February 2011. Commenting on this, the group said: "The proposed acquisition of Cavanagh is in line with Close Asset Management's strategy to create a high growth wealth and asset management business in the UK." The shares lost 14.5p to 829.5p.

Cranswick's (CWK) trading performance for the full-year will be broadly in line with its expectations, the Yorkshire-based pork supplier announced as it warned of a more demanding than usual year ahead. The group said underlying, like-for-like sales for the year to 31st March 2011 increased by 4%, while volumes were ahead by 6% on the same basis. Looking ahead, it added that it was "well positioned" to continue its long-term development. Shares in Cranswick dropped 41p to 790p.

There may be other longer term possibilities and tie ups that result from this present agreement -

Shares in Aggreko (AGK) increased 84p to 1,678p on news the provider of temporary electricity generators will supply Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TEPCO), the operator of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, with 200 MW of emergency power. The group said the supply deal would run for a minimum of one year.

Brewin Dolphin reiterated its "buy" rating for Dods (DODS), the political information, public affairs and policy communication specialist, with a 11.5p target price. Commenting on 2010 financial year results, the broker said they were broadly in-line with expectations with digital subscription products showing double-digit growth. Looking ahead, Brewin said the group was well positioned to enhance growth through both various organic opportunities and targeted acquisitions. Dods shares fell 0.625p to 8.25p.

Evolution Securities issued a "buy" recommendation for Bunzl (BNZL), the outsourcing solutions group, with a 828p target. Given that the group is a "low beta equity", the broker is not anticipating a sharp outperformance catalyst on the horizon. Rather, Evolution said it was expecting management to maintain the "well practiced strategy of modest sized in-fill acquisitions in existing geographies", with occasional larger landmark new geographical deals. Bunzl shares inched down 2.5p to 745p.

Woolyback - I do belief you could be right!

Panmure Gordon maintained its "buy" recommendation for Finsbury Foods (FIF) with a 30p target price. The broker notes that the group has successfully returned its Cake division to growth, despite difficult trading conditions, and said the pipeline of new product development looks more promising. Balance sheet gearing also continues to improve, it added, and, while cost inflation remains the key concern, the rating remains "undemanding". Finsbury shares were untouched at 21.5p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104041336162504E

http://uk-2analyst.com/ shindy - take out the '2' from the above - LSE blocks this website as it is competition with them I think !

shindy7 - if you sign up for emails on the attached you will get tips and updates from various directions including watshot.com http://**************/

Ormonde buys out junior partner Date: Monday 04 Apr 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - The market has given the thumbs-up to the acquisition of a 10% interest in the Barruecopardo tungsten project by miner Ormonde Mining, giving it total control of the Spanish asset. The company is buying the minority stake held by its joint venture partner The Society of Mining Investigation and Exploitation of Castilla y León (SIEMCALSA). In total, Ormonde is paying SIEMCALSA €2.8m for the stake over a three year period. SIEMCALSA will continue to work on a consultancy basis with Ormonde’s wholly owned subsidiary Saloro as the project develops. “Having a 100% interest will also provide the company with flexibility in discussions with relevant parties with regards to options for funding of the capital development stage of this strategic tungsten asset," claimed Kerr Anderson, Ormonde’s managing director. Barruecopardo is located in the Salamanca province of the Castilla y Leon Region in North West Spain. The project is a brownfield site as the deposit was previously worked to shallow depths by a series of small open pit workings and one larger open pit from the early 1900s until 1982.

the heads up re profits has obviously knocked the stuffing out of the SP back to a summer 2010 level. If as is suggested the decrease in profits is "principally as a result of the deferral of a major expected contract renewal and extension" then this may be over done but I suppose until we see the actual figures we cannot say for sure. If it is then buys at this level may be well rewarded - its a hard call !

David Eldridge said: "The results for the year will be disappointing, principally as a result of the deferral of a major expected contract renewal and extension. I take my responsibilities seriously and am stepping down from my role as the Chief Executive of Alterian. The business has made a great deal of progress in the past year with new products and services, as well as greater international reach. It is very well positioned to achieve its strategic goal of generating value over the medium term through realising the potential of its technology, products and market position. I am proud of the team and position we have built at Alterian over the past fourteen years and expect the Company to be very successful going forward."

Management change David Eldridge has decided to step down from his role as the Chief Executive of Alterian. He will continue to play a role in managing the Company while his successor is recruited. Iain Johnston will become Deputy Chairman, providing additional support to the management team. He has been a Non-Executive Director of the Company since its foundation and has considerable experience in leading and managing businesses, including GB Group PLC and InternetQ PLC in the technology sector.

Profit warning The Board of Alterian plc, the marketing and customer engagement technology provider, announces that it expects revenue for the year to 31 March 2011 to be approximately 10% below market expectations, which are in the range of £42-44 million. The Board expects up to approximately 95% of the revenue shortfall to reduce the profits, which will have a material impact on the profits for the year ended 31 March 2011. The shortfall predominantly relates to the deferral of a licensing contract renewal and extension with a major partner. It was expected that this contract, would be signed immediately prior to 31 March 2011. However, on 30 March 2011 the partner announced that it had made substantial management changes, and as a result it was unable to complete the contract process before Alterian's year end. The anticipated contract relates to a bulk license for the use of Alterian software, including a large number of current installations and capacity for further usage. Under International Financial Reporting Standards, the full revenue arising from this contract would have been required to be recognised and accounted for on the date it was agreed, when the full benefits of the license were transferred. The Board considers that it is likely that the contract renewal and extension will be agreed, but cannot be certain that this will happen, or of the timing of it happening. The partner can, under the existing contractual arrangements, continue to use the existing licensed software by paying license fees at list prices for each individual installation or when new installations take place. In these circumstances revenue will be accounted for in the future as it arises, depending on the terms of the installation license. As soon as it has completed the necessary procedures , the Company will give further guidance on the results for the year to 31 March 2011 in a post-closing trading statement, which is expected to be made on or around 18 April.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104040700121954E

Alterian drops after profit warning and chief departure Date: Monday 04 Apr 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Alterian shares plummeted after it revealed that full-year revenues will be 10% below expectations as a result of contract delays with a major partner. The marketing software provider also announced the departure of its chief executive, David Eldridge. He will continue to play a role in management until a successor is found. “The results for the year will be disappointing, principally as a result of the deferral of a major expected contract renewal and extension. I take my responsibilities seriously and am stepping down from my role as the chief executive of Alterian,” Eldridge said. Revenue for the year to 31 March will now be in the range of £42-44m, below forecasts of around £46-49m. The contract deferral is said to have a material impact on profits for the full year. “The Board considers that it is likely that the contract renewal and extension will be agreed, but cannot be certain that this will happen, or of the timing of it happening,” the statement said.

Royal Bank of Scotland analysts have warned of tough times ahead for AstraZeneca, while keeping their “hold” rating on the drug giant. “Although the company faces material headwinds in 2011, recent price data suggests that price rises for just two of its key products could counter the material impact of US healthcare reform on operating profit. This should provide support for cash flow generation, at least for this year.” They estimate that the impact of those material price rises should be to support Astra’s net cash flow from operating activities in 2011 at around the US$10.7bn reported for 2010. Also of great interest, RBS also believes that the company’s fair value lies at £31.75 per share and they maintain their hold recommendation ahead of a US regulatory decision on Brilinta in July 2011.