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http://www.halifaxmarketwatch.co.uk/rns.cgi?username=&ac=&action=news&rns=1&view=full&story_id=4123175

Shares in Lombard Medical Technologies (LMT) soared 0.275p to 1.325p after data published by an independent market researcher showed that the medical device company's lead product, the Aorfix endovascular stent graft, is now the third most widely used aortic stent graft in the UK. The data showed that the market share held by Aorfix grew by approximately 85% last year and the group accounted for nearly 9% of the UK abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft market in 2010

Global Brands (GBR), the exclusive master franchisee in Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein of Domino's Pizza, posted narrowed pre-tax losses for the year ended 31st December 2010, boosted by increased sales. The group reported a 30% drop in pre-tax profit as revenue climbed 17% to 13.8 million swiss francs (9.4 million pounds). Looking ahead, the company said: "Whilst we are up against strong comparable figures from last year we remain confident in delivering sales growth this year." Shares in Global Brands climbed 0.5p to 3.75p.

Gaming machines supplier Sceptre Leisure (SCEL) has secured a new contract, valued at around 1.5 million pounds, in which it will supply more than 450 machines to around 50% of Daniel Thwaites's managed and tenanted estate. The two year contact follows on from the deal struck with SA Brains in Cardiff earlier in February to supply 200 machines. Shares in Sceptre, the second-largest operator of amusement machines in the UK, gained 0.5p to 18p.

Commenting on today's announcement Mark Dixon, Chief Executive of Regus plc, said: "Against a tough economic backdrop Regus delivered solid financial results, driven almost entirely by execution on a range of key strategic initiatives started two years ago when the recession hit. We have seen little benefit from any economic upturn but we have continued to invest in growth, mature margins have held up well and cash flow continued to be strong reflecting the underlying health of the business. In terms of outlook we remain cautious on the economy, however we have been encouraged by recent positive trends that reflect the continued strategic delivery of our initiatives. In 2011 we are well positioned for a year of solid revenue growth and business improvement with continuing strong underlying cash flow generation."

STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS · Significant cash investment in growth of £69.7m translating into 125 new centres and 20,122 workstations · Global footprint extended to 87 countries, including new openings in Oman, Ghana and Lithuania · Strengthened management team and structure to support growth · Improvements in marketing and sales increased enquiries by 32% and deal volumes by 12% · Annualised costs savings achieved since the second half of 2008 now circa £135 million · Continued Businessworld growth - 69% increase in membership to 540,000 (2009: 320,000)

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS · Revenues of £1,040.4m (2009: £1,055.1m) · Mature margin recovery during H2 2010 to circa 22.3%. · EBIT of £23.8m* (2009: £72.3m*) which is after growth costs. EBIT before growth costs of £42.0m* (2009: £80.0m*) · Cash from Operations of £109.7m* (2009: £105.1m*) · Net Cash of £191.5m (2009: £237.0m) · Earnings per share of 1.9p* (2009: 5.4p*) · Full Year Dividend per share increased by 8% to 2.6p (2009: 2.4p) *Excludes exceptional restructuring costs of £15.8m in 2010 and a net exceptional gain in 2009 of £15.7m.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201103210700082710D

Regus (RGU) posted a drop in pre-tax profits for the year ended 31st December 2010 but news that it expects a return to revenue growth in 2011 pushed the work-space rental group's shares up 16.1p to 116.6p. The firm, which offers ready-to-use offices for rentals as short as half a day, reported a pre-tax profit of 7.8 million pound, down from 86.9 million pounds a year earlier, as revenue fell by 1.4% to 1,040 million pounds. Looking ahead, chief executive Mark Dixon said: "In 2011 we are well positioned for a year of solid revenue growth and business improvement with continuing strong underlying cash flow generation."

Ahead of preliminary results later this week, Singer Capital Markets issued a "buy" rating for M&C Saatchi (SAA), the advertising agency, with a 134p target price. Given the strength of fourth quarter 2010 trading amongst peers and the generally positive outlook for the marketing services sector in 2011, the broker said it expects solid results and flags the possibility of upgrades. Singer added that, at this stage, it is forecasting a 19.6% growth in earnings per share in 2011. The shares edged back 0.5p to 138p.

With the group trading at the bottom end of its trading range, Panmure Gordon reiterated its "buy" recommendation for pharmaceutical group Astrazeneca (AZN) with a 3,600p target price. The broker notes that the stock has performed in-line with the FTSE100 over the past 30 days but under-performed peer GlaxoSmithKline by 3.7%. In light of this, Panmure believes current levels represent a good entry level into the stock. Astrazeneca shares gained 26.5p to 2,854.5p.

GE&CR moved its rating for Avisen* (AVI), the performance management specialists, to "buy" with an increased target price of 11.3p, up from 7.5p. The research house notes the group's announcement last week that, following an unsolicited offer, it has agreed to sell its wholly owned subsidiary, Inca Software, for a total consideration of 8.65 million pounds. Believing that the business now has ample resources to seize growth opportunities in the performance improvement sector, GE&CR expects to see an acceleration in growth of the firm going forward.

Small caps: Renewable Energy, Dominion Petroleum Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Renewable Energy lifted revenues to £4.3m from £3.5m in the half –year to December, but a lack of wind meant a loss before tax £1.9m up from £0.3m. “Abnormally low wind speeds across the UK resulting in over £1m of lost earnings,” it said. The group, which rejected a bid worth 67.7p in January, finished the six months with cash resources of £7.6m. An interim dividend of 0.5p per ordinary share is proposed.

EP Global underperforms Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - EP Global Opportunities Trust achieved a total return of 8.3% in 2010 with the net asset value per share rising 7% to 188.2p. EP Global does not have an official benchmark index but it has underperformed the FTSE All-World Index, whose total return was 16.7%. EP Global’s performance was held back by its overexposure to Europe during the year. The trust found it difficult to find value in Asia but it did add to its Japanese investments. Japan accounted for one-quarter of the portfolio at the end of 2010. That suggests that the trust’s performance in the first quarter of 2011 may also be poor. EP Global has already declared a dividend of 2.8p a share, up 17% on last year. Since the year end the merger with Anglo & Overseas has been approved. This has more than doubled the NAV of EP Global to £110m.

Further up the tree, struggling pubs group Punch Taverns serves up details of its long awaited strategic review. Panmure Gordon thinks it’s difficult to try and second guess the intentions of Ian Dyson, but believes “a measured approach to unlocking shareholder value would be most appropriate”. “The demerging/disposal of the Punch A and Punch B securitisations, and subsequent disposal of the 50% shareholding in Matthew Clark to leave an integrated leased and managed pub company,” is the most suitable option it told clients in a note Monday.

Tuesday preview: Southern Cross, Punch Taverns Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Britain’s largest provider of residential and nursing care Southern Cross Healthcare Group wheels out a trading update Tuesday and investors will be hoping for chink of light just a week after bid talks collapsed. Southern Cross shares plunged 60% last week after it walked away from takeover discussions and warned it had seen a decline in its trading outlook since February, mainly due to lower than expected placements and fee levels from local authorities, who are cutting back as part of the government’s spending review. The group also said its lenders are aware of an impending banking covenant breach but remain fully supportive of the actions which the company is taking to address its problems. On Monday, it strengthened its board with a Director of Financial Restructuring, Director of Communications, a General Counsel and Company Secretary, and a Group Financial Controller. "The board is committed to ensure that it has available to it, all the skills required to successfully tackle the restructuring process which is now underway and to attract new investment into the business,” chairman Ray Miles said.

Netcall revenue and profit jumps Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - AIM-quoted Netcall increased its revenues by 245% in the six months to December 2010 helped by the contribution from last July’s acquisition Telephonetics. The telecoms call-back and speech recognition software provider increased its revenue from £1.86m to £6.41m, and £4.57m of that is recurring in nature - £10m on an annualised basis. Telephonetics’ SaaS-based MovieLine service generated £970,000 in revenues but this is a declining part of the business. The first phase of the integration of Telephonetics has been completed and net annualised cost savings of £1.5m have been made. Reported pre-tax profit was down, but stripping out amortisation and exceptionals it rose from £359,000 to £1.09m. Tax losses are being used up. Net cash was £4.8m at the end of 2010 and cash generation is normally better in the second half. Netcall is still winning contracts from the public sector, which wants to reduce costs. Netcall’s automated system reminding patients of appointments has reduced the number of patients not attending appointments and helped Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to save nearly £1m in a year.

Close Brothers sells Cayman Islands unit Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Close Brothers has sold its Cayman Islands trust, fiduciary services and fund administration business for $34m (£21m). The disposal comes soon after the sale of the firm’s UK offshore business. It will “further streamline the Asset Management division and increase focus on its core businesses,” Close said Monday. Chief executive Preben Prebensen said the company is “committed to developing and growing our UK based wealth and asset management business.”

Will be interesting to see what this deal turns out to be!

Cape Resources continues to lose money Date: Monday 21 Mar 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Cape Resources generated more revenue in the six months to December 2010 than the whole of the previous year but the AIM-quoted diamond producer made a similar loss to the first half of the previous year. Revenues were £1.16m in the six months to December 2010 and there was no revenue in the comparative period. The interim loss remained around £1.1m. There has been a cash inflow in the period with cash in the bank rising to £306,000. Cape sold an average of 500 carats of diamonds a month in the second quarter at and average selling price of $522 a carat. Namane Rresources will take over the day to day management of the Elandsgate mine, where mining operations remain small scale. The restructuring of Cape’s liability to IDC is expected to be completed by the end of June. Management is considering broadening the company’s asset base but they are not just looking at diamond assets. A deal could involve any other commodity.