Member Info for mulledwine

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104010700070701E

CSF's (CSFG) results for the year will be in line with market expectations, the provider of data centre facilities announced in a pre-close trading statement as it finished the current year on a high. Similarly, after signing a "significant" new tenant for its CX2 data centre, the group also revealed that all its data centres are now fully occupied. Shares in CSF gained 3.25p to 67.75p

Optical components manufacturer Gooch & Housego (CHH) has acquired Crystal Technology for 13.75 million dollars (8.6 million pounds) in a move to enhance its presence in the acousto-optics, electro-optics and fibre optics sectors. Separately, in a trading update, the company added that it continued to trade ahead of its expectations supported by a strong order book. Shares in G&H lost 7.5p to 307.5p.

Prospects We believe that certain countries in Central Europe continue to provide opportunity for investment given their risk-return characteristics and as economic and political conditions stabilise and improve. The recent downturn in construction activity across Central Europe should result in a growing shortage of commercial space as economic conditions improve which will have a resultant effect on occupancy rates and rental yields of existing properties. The Group has a large number of development opportunities in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania which it will use, in the longer-term, to diversify its country risk away from Hungary and to take advantage of the different market dynamics and different rates of growth in each economy. The Group will focus on these countries in the short-term but we will continue to monitor other areas as opportunities arise in the longer-term. We also believe that the Europeum project in Budapest may provide a precedent for future developments depending upon the market demand for office and/or retail space in each of the locations in which the Group operates. We are encouraged by the nascent signs of improvement in the real estate markets in Central Europe and believe the Company is well placed to deliver value for our shareholders over the medium term.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS · Revenue up 21% to €30.7 million (2009: €25.3 million) mainly as a result of €5.3 million revenue increase from sales at the Viva Residence residential project in Prague. · Gross rental income decreased by 6% to €16.5 million (2009: €17.5 million). · Profit after tax for the year of €26.4 million (2009: loss of €26 million) due to an increase in property values and one-off deferred tax income. · Shareholders' funds increased to €235.2 million (2009: at €210.2 million). · Adjusted net asset value per share of €3.10 or £2.67 at 31 December 2010 (€2.68 or £2.43 at 31 December 2009). · Assessed total value of the projects held at €574 million (2009: €525 million)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104010700070672E

Ablon Group (ABL) swung to an annual pre-tax profit, due to an increase in property values and one-off deferred tax income, and said it was encouraged by the nascent signs of improvement in the real estate markets in Central Europe. The real estate owner and developer posted a pre-tax profit of 26.4 million euros (23.3 million pounds) for the year ended 31st December 2010, which compares with a loss of 26 million euros (22.9 million pounds) a year earlier, on revenue up 21% at 30.7 million pounds. The news came as the group also announced that it is to raise up to 8.7 million pounds through a rights issue that will be used to strengthen the balance sheet and provide additional working capital. Shares in Ablon fell 5.5p to 42.5p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103310700079400D

The need to cut its costs in order to combat soaring diesel and plastic packaging prices has prompted Robert Wiseman Dairies (RWD) to close two of its sites. The supplier of nearly one-third of the UK's fresh milk said it would close its Okehampton dairy in Devon, and its distribution depot in Cupar, Fife. Updating the market before its 2nd April 2011 year end, Robert Wiseman also noted that stronger revenues resulting from higher cream prices had been offset by increased costs, a rise in the amount it pays farmers for raw milk, and "an intensely competitive market". The shares slid back 2.25p to 341p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110401100300H2612

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110401085500H2593

In a move to pursue opportunities in the deployment of its Microsoft Collaboration service and solution offerings, IT infrastructure services provider Computacenter (CCC) has acquired a minority stake in ICS Solutions for a cash consideration amounting to 500,000 pounds. Separately, the group announced the completion of the acquisition of Top Info SAS, an information technology re-seller of hardware, software and services. The shares advanced 3p to 438p.

Arbuthnot maintained its "strong buy" recommendation for Publishing Technology (PTO) with an 120p target price. Commenting on financial year 2010 results, the broker notes they were ahead of its expectations and was most encouraged with the sales momentum for the new suite of software products and services evident at the end of the year which have continued into 2011. In its view, Arbuthnot added, the group is "significantly undervalued" on all fundamental valuation metrics. Publishing shares gained 5.5p to 63p.

Singer Capital Markets maintained its "fair value" rating for Booker (BOK), the cash and carry operator, with an increased target price of 53p, up from 50p. The broker notes, unlike other consumer facing businesses, trading at the group continues to meet or beat expectations, and believes good strategic execution will generate further share gains and efficiencies in the future. Synergies from recent acquisitions should also start to contribute to growth in the next 12-18 months, Singer added. Booker shares edged higher 0.35p to 60.55p.

3i Group lost 4.3 percent in London after the venture capital firm said that proceeds realized from its investments in 11 months declined from last year.

Elsewhere in the foods sector Uniq, the convenience foods supplier, celebrated its first day on AIM (having moved from a full listing) by effectively putting itself up for sale. The company recently underwent a restructuring that wiped out the pension buy-out deficit of more than £400m and left the company’s pension fund trustee owning 90.2% of the company. Now, the trustee wishes to cash in some or all of its chips.

If the 30m was already deducted in accounts then thats a handy 25m or so they have "extra" now

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110401123115P457C

Hays price-fixing fine slashed Date: Friday 01 Apr 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - A fine imposed on recruitment group Hays by the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) has been slashed. Hays and six other recruiters were fined for fixing prices and collectively boycotting another company as they supplied candidates to the construction industry. The fine was reduced to £5.88m from £30.36m. “The full amount of the fine has already been provided in our 2010 accounts,” Hays said. “The Hays Board is committed to the highest standards of compliance throughout the business.”

Very welcome bounce indeed.