Member Info for mulledwine

In line with its plan to open at least 20 new restaurants over the course of 2011, Prezzo (PRZ) has reached agreed terms to acquire six leasehold properties, together with their business and assets, from Caffe Uno Brasseries in exchange for cash consideration of 550,000 pounds. The restaurant operator added that all six restaurants are expected to make a contribution to profits by the final quarter of 2011. Shares in Prezzo moved ahead 1.75p to 62.25p.

YCO Group (YCO) performed in line with expectations in 2010, the super-yachts services provider announced in a trading update, and anticipates that profit before tax and exceptional items will be 900,000 pounds, up from 31,000 pounds a year earlier. "This increase in earnings signals an important point in the group's turnaround and reflects the positive results of its restructuring programme undertaken during 2009 and 2010," the firm commented. Shares in YCO rose 1.375p to 12.875p.

Shares in Deltex Medical Group (DEMG) soared 9.75p to 29.75p after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published final guidance recommending the company's lead heart monitoring product, CardioQ-ODM system. In its guidance on implementation by the National Health Service (NHS), NICE estimates that its recommendation applies to 837,000 surgical patients each year in the NHS in England alone..

Singer Capital Markets commented on Augean (AUG), the hazardous waste management group. Following full-year results, the broker has highlighted the "good recovery" in volumes in both divisions, especially in the second half, and the "modest recovery" in the projects and construction markets. With that said, Singer thinks the much anticipated appeal decision on the Low Level Waste planning application, due by 24th May from the Secretary of State, will be the biggest driver of the shares in the next two months. Shares in Augean inched down 0.5p to 27p.

Arbuthnot issued a "strong buy" rating for Nationwide Accident Repair Services (NARS) with a 140p target price. Commenting on full-year results, the broker said strong growth in fleet, retail and mobile revenues helped to deliver profits ahead of expectations, highlighting the early success the group's management has achieved in the first 12-months of its three-year growth plan. That said, Arbuthnot added that it was confident further expansion into the fleet and retail sectors will result in healthy long-term earnings growth. The shares edged back 0.5p to 101p.

Panmure Gordon reiterated its "hold" recommendation for Fidessa Group (FDSA), the supplier of trading systems, market data and connectivity solutions to financial markets, with a 1,665p target price. As a believer of the group's long term prospects, the broker has commended the business's financial model, competitive clout and expanding operational footprint. However, due to its valuation (price-to-earnings ratio of 22.2 times), Panmure has opted to maintain its stance. Fidessa shares fell 36p to 1,774p.

Evolution Securities maintained its "buy" rating for Booker Group (BOK), the cash and carry operator, with a 60p target price. Commenting ahead of the fourth quarter trading update tomorrow, the broker believes the group offers an appealing long term investment opportunity. Sustained market share gains offer growth opportunities in traditional cash and carry markets, Evolution added, while a shrewd shift towards food service offers growth opportunities in alternative markets. Booker shares moved up 0.1p to 59.7p.

Builders merchant Wolseley expanded like a maniac prior to the US housing slump, whereupon it downsized itself as fast as it could to reduce gearing during the credit crunch. Things have stabilised now and Charles Stanley is expecting a strong set of interim results, with underlying profit before tax more than doubling to £230m from £112m the year before. Last year’s interim results were chock full of exceptional items, amortisation of intangibles and other items that get accountants excited, the broker noted. “This year, Wolseley should present a clean and strong set of numbers and hopefully the balance sheet will show further deleveraging to pave the way for a dividend payout,” Charles Stanley said. The broker thinks a 12p dividend could be on the cards. “In the first half, the main improvement in profitability is coming from the North American market and the UK division. In the US, demand in Residential and RMI [Repair, Maintenance and Improvement] markets continued to improve though Commercial sectors remained subdued,” Charles Stanley analyst Tony Shepard wrote. “The UK profit has advanced on the back of 5% LFL [like for like] revenue growth, disposals and a lower cost base. Although new build and commercial markets remain subdued, about 40% of Wolseley’s revenues are RMI based and these continue to provide enough growth momentum for the group to improve its financial results,” Shepard reckons. “Furthermore, the group continues to benefit from cost efficiencies,” Shepard added. Charles Stanley has an "accumulate" rating on the shares. Andy Brown of Panmure Gordon retains his cautious stance on the shares, at least for now. “First quarter results from the group were good, and recent competitor data has suggested further stabilisation in trading. The US market remains the big swing factor in terms of investor sentiment. The shares have had a good run, so a strong set of results is needed to move the price up further,” Brown reckons. http://www.digitallook.com/news/sharecast/news.cgi?view=full&story=4137162&username=mulledwine&ac=210311

Folks - to be honest I dont have much of an idea re this Company - after my post I put it on my 'research' list - but as yet havnt done much regarding that - not sure I understand the trading history here either! or how the SP is moving!

Details behind the rise http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103300700128736D

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103300700128732D

Commenting on the results, Michael Rosenberg, Chairman of Pilat Media Global plc, said: "The strong performance the Group achieved at the end of 2009 has continued throughout 2010 to produce our highest ever annual revenue. This coupled with cost control has resulted in a significant growth in profits and cash from operating activities. Having upgraded our product using state of the art .Net based technology over the last three years the Company continued to strengthen its offering leveraging the new technology by expanding functional depth and breadth of the product through the addition of new modules and applications. These are already generating additional revenues. The revenue backlog and sales pipeline remain healthy. The Company is involved in a number of sales opportunities that we are hopeful will be concluded successfully in the Company's favour in the next few months."

Highlights: ● Annual revenues increased by 13.5% to £21.9 million (2009: £19.3 million) ● Another strong Q4: · Revenues at £6.2 million (Q4 2009: £6.2 million) · Profit before tax increased by 16% to £1.7 million (Q4 2009: £1.5 million) · Strong positive cash flow ● Significantly increased annual profit · Profit from operations (before amortisation of intangible assets) rose to £3.2 million (2009: £1.2 million) and represents 14.7% of revenues (2009: 6.4%) · Profit for the year: £1.6 million (2009: £0.4 million) ● Two major new contracts signed during the year

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103300700078562D

Record sales for Pilat Media Date: Wednesday 30 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Media software house Pilat Media Global raked in record annual revenue and cut costs in 2010, helping it make significantly more money than the year before. Profit before tax jumped 16% in the fourth quarter to £1.7m, swelling full-year income to £2.2m from £0.6m in 2009. Profit from operations before amortisation of intangible assets rose to £3.2m from £1.2m. Final quarter revenues were steady at £6.2m, but increased by 13.5% for the 12 months to £21.9m. Maintenance fees grew by 17%, accounting for a quarter of revenue in 2010. A bigger slice of revenue is coming from existing clients, making the company less reliant on new contracts to boost revenues. “The revenue backlog and sales pipeline remain healthy,” chairman Michael Rosenberg says. “The company is involved in a number of sales opportunities that we are hopeful will be concluded successfully in the company's favour in the next few months." It’s also on the lookout for suitable merger and acquisition opportunities.

Japan quake could cost Hiscox $150m Date: Wednesday 30 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - The earthquake in New Zealand and the floods in Australia earlier this year should result in total claims of about $75m (£46.9m), while the Japan earthquake could result in losses of as much as $150m, the specialist insurer Hiscox has said. “Based on an insured market loss of US$10 billion for the New Zealand earthquake, and US$2.4 billion for the floods in Queensland, Hiscox estimates net claims of approximately £60 million and £15 million respectively,” the firm said. Hiscox has also made an early comment on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of earlier this month. “According to the latest published model, from an insured market loss of approximately US$24bn, Hiscox could incur net claims of between $60m and $150m with a mean loss of $100m,” the company said.

Pre-close period Trading Update Topps Tiles Plc (the "Group"), the UK's largest tile and wood flooring specialist, reports on expected trading for the 26 week period ending 2 April 2011, prior to entering its close period. The Board will announce preliminary results for the period on Wednesday 1 June 2011. We expect to report that like-for-like revenues have increased by c.1.8% (2010: increase of 2.0%). Total revenues for the 26 week period from continuing businesses will be in the region of c.£89.2 million (2010: £91.4 million), a c.2.5% decrease on the 27 week period last year. When restated on a same reporting week basis the total revenues will be in the region of c.1.5% ahead of the prior period. Quarter 2 revenues are expected to have increased by c.1.4% compared to quarter 2 2010, with like-for-like revenues increasing by c.1.4%. The Group is currently trading from a total of 313 stores and expects to end the financial year with c.320. The Group has now completed the refinancing of its loan facilities and has secured a new committed £75m revolving credit facility with its existing lenders through to May 2015. It is anticipated that a slightly higher cost of borrowing will be broadly offset by a smaller, more efficient loan facility. There have been no further significant changes in the financial position of the Group since the publication of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the 53 weeks ended 2 October 2010.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103300700108691D

Topps Tiles growth wanes Date: Wednesday 30 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Sales growth has slowed at tile and wood flooring retailer Topps Tiles during the latter stages of the first half. Like for like sales rose about 1.8% in the 26 weeks to 2 April, down from 2% last year. They were up 3.2% for the first seven weeks, 2.2% for the 13-week period, and up an estimated 1.4% in the second quarter. Total revenues from continuing businesses will be about 2.5% lower at £89.2m, though when restated on a same reporting week basis they’ll be around 1.5% higher. Revenue is seen up 1.4% in Q2. The number of stores is expected to increase from 313 to about 320 by the end of the financial year. Results are out on 1 June. LW

Chris Moore, Chief Executive, commented: "We are glad to be reporting a good performance in the UK, where like-for-like gross sales were up 7.8% in the first 13 weeks, if the VAT increase was taken into account. The overall group numbers were, however, held back by the very difficult trading environment in the Republic of Ireland which contributes 7.4% of our system sales. However, as a Company we are rarely satisfied with just a good performance and we have some exciting new products and marketing initiatives lined up to lead the charge for the rest of the year. "We are up against some very challenging comparatives for the rest of the year, especially in the second quarter. However, with the management team that is in place, the ideas flowing through the business, new sites in the pipeline and our ever improving operational gearing, the business is well placed for further strong growth this year."