Member Info for mulledwine

Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) saw continued revenue growth in the five months to February, the UK media group announced, but it warned of "continued uncertainty" over the medium-term outlook. Turnover rose 2% year-on-year, and 5% on an underlying basis, driven by an 11% increase in revenue at DMGT's business-to-business operations. Income from events management rose particularly strongly, helped by growth in events serving the energy and digital marketing sectors. The shares slipped 3.9p to 499.1p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700117109D

AstraZeneca (AZN) has agreed to pay more than 1 billion dollars (0.63 billion pounds) to settle an ongoing dispute over its US tax liabilities. The Anglo-Swedish drug-maker said that it would pay an undisclosed sum to US authorities to cover tax issues from 2000 to the end of 2010, but would benefit from a reduction in UK tax liabilities, resulting in a net cost to the group of 1.1 billion dollars (0.69 billion pounds). Shares in AstraZeneca inched down 1.5p to 2,872.5p.

CSR PLC ("CSR") MERGER WITH ZORAN CORPORATION CSR ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF THE HSR WAITING PERIOD UNDER U.S. ANTITRUST LEGISLATION On 21 February 2011, CSR plc announced that it had entered into a merger agreement with Zoran Corporation ('Zoran') under which Zoran will merge with a newly organised U.S. subsidiary of CSR (the 'Merger'). Completion of the Merger is subject to approval of both Zoran and CSR's shareholders and certain other conditions, including submissions to US authorities under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ('HSR'). CSR announces that the waiting period under HSR with respect to the Merger terminated on 24 March 2011 and that this condition of the Merger has been satisfied. CSR continues to expect completion of the Merger during Q2 2011.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700106967D

Yes great results but poor market reaction so far http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700096966D

and still it drops - surely its at a low low - isnt it!

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700086926D

CEO - Cont We also welcome the Government's decision to decrease import quotas for 2011, which were cut almost by half in poultry as compared to 2010. Aside from the reduction, the new quota allows only for imports of leg quarters, which considerably changes the market picture. As well, with the anticipated growth in domestic production, pioneered by Cherkizovo Group in early 2000 the market is expected to reach Government-set self-sufficiency levels in poultry towards the end of 2011, with imports taking around 10-12% share on the market."

Sergey Mikhailov, Chief Executive Officer of Cherkizovo Group, said: "During 2010 we have delivered a solid performance, with a 17% increase in revenue and growth in Adjusted EBITDA of 20%. This has resulted in a healthy 18% Group Adjusted EBITDA margin. However, our results were affected by a soft pricing environment in the poultry and pork divisions, as well as rising input costs, particularly towards the end of the year. In the poultry division, profitability was at a robust level of 29% Gross Margin, and a 21% Adjusted EBITDA margin. We have made significant progress at our capacity-increase projects in Bryansk and Penza, and our acquisition of the Zarechnaya facility in the Penza region and recent launch of the Rosha and Komarovka broiler breeding sites will enable us to achieve significant production volume increases in 2011. The pork division has enjoyed significant growth and we anticipate this will be further supported in 2011 by the full integration of the two new farms. Already, for 2010 we have increased our market share and successfully positioned ourselves among the top three producers in the Russian market. Moreover, we are pleased to report that construction has commenced on three greenfield complexes in the Tambov, Voronezh and Lipetsk regions which are expected to become operational during 2011and 2012, adding some 37,500 tonnes of capacity. By the end of 2012 our production volumes will have grown to over 150,000 tonnes, further strengthening our market leadership in this high-margin business and positively affecting our overall performance. Meat processing continues to see rising demand as consumer confidence improves. We have seen some very positive results, with an increase in sales volumes and sustained profitability. Our products enjoy strong brand recognition and continue to win industry awards for quality. The outlook for 2011 is challenging. The operational impact of steep rises in grain and other feedstock input costs will largely be felt in the coming months, and we anticipate that these will only be partially offset by higher pricing. This reflects an unusually weak pricing environment in the last quarter of 2010, despite commodity inflation, partly as a result of short-term oversupply of meat in the market due to destocking by less efficient producers and individual households in response to rising feed costs. Combined with an increased share of poultry imports late in 2010, it has put downward pressure on selling prices, especially for poultry sales in the first quarter of 2011. In this respect, the recent decisions announced by the Government to introduce direct subsidies for agricultural producers to offset sharp cost increases, and the resolution to distribute feed grain from the intervention fund at below market prices to regions that have suffered most from the drought is encouraging. We also welcome the Government's decision to decrease import quotas f

Highlights · Strong organic volume growth across all segments, delivering a solid financial performance · Revenues increased 17% to $1,188.2 million from $1,019.2 million for 2010, and increased 12% on a rouble currency basis · Adjusted EBITDA* increased 20% to $218.7 million from $182.3 million for 2010, and increased 15% on a rouble currency basis · Adjusted EBITDA* margin was at 18% · Gross profit increased 15% to $323.9 million from $281.6 million for 2010, and increased 10% on a rouble currency basis · Group gross margin was a healthy 27% · Net income increased 21% to $144.4 million from $119.4 million for 2010, and increased 16% on a rouble currency basis · As of 31 December 2010 Net debt** was $580.2 million. · The effective cost of debt was below 3%. · Net income per share increased 21%.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700076905D

Outlook Leaf continues to perform well and is strongly positioned to grow and develop. The broader outlook for markets continues to be positive. Our priorities for the second half of the year are to continue to commit significant resources to managing the investments we have made in our portfolio companies. Our intention remains to deliver growth and value for our shareholders and your Board believes that there are grounds for confidence in both the short- and medium term. I look forward to reporting further progress at the end of the fiscal year. The Interim Report and Accounts set out below incorporate both financial statements for the Company and consolidated financial statements for the wider Leaf Group. References to NAV in my report and the Management Report reflect the Company's NAV.

The board of Leaf Clean Energy Company ("Leaf" or "the Company") are pleased to announce the Company's interim results for the period ended 31 December 2010 Highlights of the period are: · Leaf made an additional US$25 million of direct equity and debt investments into existing portfolio businesses. · The Company earned US$2.0 million of interest income from debt investments in the portfolio companies. This income has been recorded in the intermediate holding companies and included in the assessment of valuations for the relevant subsidiaries. · The Company repurchased 5.9 million shares at an average price of 70.64p, taking advantage of the weakness in the Company's share price to deliver value to shareholders. · NAV per share for the Leaf portfolio was 169.11 cents or 108.0 pence at US$1.5657 to the £1. This was an increase of 0.9% for the six month period from 30 June 2010 and 6.9% for the one year period from 31 December 2009.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700066777D

Roger White, Chief Executive commented: "A.G. BARR has maintained its track record of strong financial performance, delivering double digit sales and profit growth, despite the challenging macro economic environment. We have increased investment across the business in our brands, assets and people to support this growth. Across 2010 we also made significant investments in our operations and supply chain, which will give us the ability to improve service to customers and drive efficiency in the future. The soft drinks sector will face tough comparative trading across 2011, as well as further cost volatility and general economic uncertainty. However, we face these challenging conditions with good momentum, a well invested business, excellent operational plans and a strong financial position. I am pleased to report sales in the first eight weeks of the new financial year are ahead of the same period last year."

Key Points · Total turnover increased by 10.4% to £222.4m (2010: £201.4m). · Profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptional items increased by 13.3% to £31.6m (2010: £27.9m). · Underlying earnings per share increased by 14.9% to 61.2p (2010:53.3p). · Strong growth from all core brands in all channels. · Rubicon brand revenues now almost double pre-acquisition levels. · Manufacturing investments and supply chain operational changes completed as planned; Mansfield site operations ceased and site being cleared prior to agreed sale. · Strong free cash flow of £15.7m in the period and a lower than anticipated net debt of £16.6m down from £22.1m at the prior year. · Proposed final dividend of 18.66p per share to give a proposed total dividend for the year of 25.41p per share, an increase of 10.0% over the prior year.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700066772D

Yes nice update http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103280700066545D

http://www.iii.co.uk/tv/episode/wood-group-wg