Member Info for mulledwine

Profits and margin · 5% like-for-like3 profit growth post central costs · Operating margin before central costs up to 21.3% (2009: 20.3%) · Operating profit post central costs up 27.8% to £29.6m (2009: £23.2m) · Profit before tax up 14.4% to £26.7m (2009: £23.4m) · Profit before tax after highlighted items up to £21.8m (2009: loss before tax £9.8m)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103230700144416D

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103230717454573D

"The Group's strong performance in 2010 was built on the solid foundations of the businesses in Kazakhstan which delivered record production in the year. China's economic growth and our strategic location remained key, while we also saw recovery in our traditional markets. Maintaining and exploiting our advantaged cost position is also critical. We remain positive on the Group's prospects for 2011, although the control of costs growth and the development of our assets in Africa will be important issues for management, as will be the continued near-term risk of commodity market volatility. We made further progress with our growth strategy by establishing the foundations for growing businesses in Africa and Brazil, with major benefits to be realised in the years ahead." Felix J Vulis, Chief Executive Officer

Outlook for 2011 · Capex programme increased to an estimated US$11.1 billion, with new amounts planned for Other Non-ferrous, Energy and Logistics Divisions. · In 2011 capex spend of approximately US$2.5 billion; further increase in financing requirements. · Strong growth in the developing economies expected to continue to underpin strong demand and pricing. · Production expected to be maintained at effectively full available capacity. · Cost growth to continue, in line with the industry experience, reflecting materials, labour, transportation and depreciation and finance expenses.

Business Highlights for 2010 · Production of the Group's principal commodities, high carbon ferrochrome, iron ore, alumina, aluminium and coal all at record levels. · Progress on cost control initiatives and productivity gains, partially off-setting cost pressures. · Completion of Phase 2 of the aluminium smelter in May; construction of the new 440 ktpa high carbon ferrochrome plant at Aktobe underway. · Further acquisitions completed to enhance the Group's asset portfolio: additional copper and cobalt assets in the DRC and Zambia; and expansion of the iron ore asset base in Brazil.

Financial Highlights for 2010 · Strong financial performance in the year, as a result of record production volumes and the recovery in the markets for our products. · Revenue up 72% to US$6,605 million. Like-for-like revenue up 62%. · Cost of sales up 46% to US$2,847 million, as a result of increased volumes and rising costs, as well as the inclusion of the Other Non-ferrous Division. Like-for-like costs rose 28%. · Underlying EBITDA up 118%, to US$3,194 million; Underlying EBITDA margin of 48%. · Earnings per share up 110%, to US 170 cents; including a one-off gain of US$298 million related to the BMBV acquisition and expensed acquisition-related costs of US$73 million. · An effective tax rate of 26.2%, including the impact of the above items. · Final dividend of US 18.0 cents per share; US 30.5 cents for the full year. Payout ratio of 18%. · Strong balance sheet maintained, with gross available funds of US$1,672 million; borrowings of US$1,632 million.

http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=4126190

Ed Story, President and Chief Executive Officer of SOCO, commented: "We are on schedule for First Oil from the TGT field in Vietnam having undertaken the largest development project in the Company's history. At the same time we have shown our ability to conduct and fund extensive exploration opportunities. "In a matter of a few months, the dramatic financial impact of our previous investments in Vietnam will be clearly visible. Moreover, we envision other opportunities to enter into additional high impact exploration efforts in Vietnam."

Outlook · Exponential increase in net corporate production and cash flow in five months · Exploration drilling programme in offshore Congo offers substantial upside · New ventures near finalisation in SE Asia and Africa

HIGHLIGHTS Financial Highlights · After tax profit $101.4m (2009: $51.1m) · Balance sheet further strengthened by disposal of Thailand assets for gain of $80.1m · Cash and liquid investments remain robust at $260.4m, operational programme fully funded Operational Highlights · TGT development on track to come on stream mid-2011 with Phase I production plateau expected to be 55,000 BOPD · Significant development drilling progress on TGT, particularly the extension of the previously defined eastwards limits of the field · Preparations underway for further exploration drilling on our Africa licences

http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=4126206

Ore Stockpiling Operations Commenced at Benkala Project Frontier Mining Ltd (AIM: FML), the AIM listed gold and copper exploration and development company focused on Kazakhstan, is pleased to announce that ore stockpiling operations have commenced at its Benkala copper project. As stated in the trading update released 2 February 2011, the Company had expected to reach the ore body in early March 2011 with crushing expected to commence in June 2011. The ore body has now been reached and the first ore was extracted and moved to stockpile yesterday for further crushing, such that production at the Benkala project is progressing in line with the stated schedule.

http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=4126154

Randy Bartley, Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Energy, commented: "We will be able to determine the commerciality of this new well following testing, which will begin in early May. Following the completion of this phase of appraisal and development drilling at Bua Ban North A, we plan to move the rig to Bua Ban North B, which is further north and has prospective targets in all three intervals."

Coastal Energy Announces Bua Ban North Drilling Update HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - March 22, 2011) - Coastal Energy Company (the "Company" or "Coastal") (TSX-V: CEN) (AIM: CEO) announces an update of its operations in the Gulf of Thailand. Bua Ban North The Bua Ban North A-02 exploration well was drilled to a depth of 8,100 feet into an upthrown fault block adjacent to the recent discovery in the Bua Ban North A-01 well. The A-02 well encountered 205 feet of net sand in the Eocene interval with 16% average porosity. The Eocene interval in the A-02 well appears to have good reservoir characteristics and formation pressure data obtained from wireline logging (MDT measurements) indicate an oil gradient. However, log results were inconclusive and fluid samples were not obtainable. The Company is uncertain of the commerciality of the well until it can be flow tested. Coastal plans to perforate and test the Eocene in the A-02 well once suitable testing facilities are installed. Following suspension of the A-02 well, the Bua Ban North A-04 well was spudded and will test the Miocene interval in an upthrown block relative to the productive Miocene sands encountered in the A-01 well, along with a step-out of the Upper Oligocene discovery from the A-01 well. The Company plans to drill an additional two to three appraisal/development wells at Bua Ban North A following the A-04 well. Coastal is currently mobilizing a MOPU (mobile offshore production unit) to the Bua Ban North A location which is expected to be installed in early May. Following installation of the MOPU, the Company will begin extended production tests of the wells at Bua Ban North A. The Bua Ban A-04 and A-07 wells are continuing to clean up following the single stage fracs on each well. The A-04 and A-07 wells are flowing at 200 bopd and 220 bopd, respectively.

http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=4125845

Fourth quarter losses cut at Cryptologic By John Harrington Date: Tuesday 22 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Cash burn at loss making gaming software developer CryptoLogic declined to $1.2m in the final quarter of 2010, having been as high as $2.3m in the second quarter, the last full quarter before restructuring measures kicked in. Total revenue in 2010 fell to $26.0m from $39.8m in 2009, while the net loss narrowed to $20.4m from $35.5m. Loss per share was $1.58 versus a loss of $2.78 in 2009. “While the additional restructuring measures taken since August 2010 have significantly reduced the total recurring cost base and cash outflow, improving revenue performance remains a key management priority. In addition, the board continues actively to examine strategic options both to strengthen the company's operations and deliver shareholder value,” the company said. “With c$11m of cash on the balance sheet the challenge remains to improve the revenue line in order to bring the business back into profitability and cash generation” said house broker Daniel Stewart. “The fourth quarter showed signs that the business is heading in this direction and we await further news on progress during the current year,” the broker added.

Instem reports maiden figures Date: Tuesday 22 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Healthcare IT software supplier Instem Life Science Systems plans to launch new products and seek out acquisitions this year. Instem’s focus is on software that analyses the safety of drugs before they enter clinical trials. Revenues were flat at £10m in 2010 and so was operating profit at £2.2m. Underlying pre-tax profit fell from £2.47m to £2.1m. There were additional start-up costs for the Chinese operation and a sharp fall in interest income. Net cash was £3.3m at the end of 2010. The company’s strategy is to grow by acquisition and it has provided specific resources to seek potential acquisition targets. Instem has made its first acquisition since floating in October 2010. It is paying up to £1.5m for BioWisdom, which provides software to analyse health R&D data. House broker Brewin Dolphin forecasts a 2011 profit of £2.4m and has edged up its 2012 profit forecast to £2.9m.

BitB - Howdy - I have done a little research here and have them on an 'amber' watch list - I havnt invested yet but I may do - I will give you a shout if I do - thanks for the offer of research info.