Member Info for thistle

Believe what you see not what you hear......worlds upside down at the moment...with all the euro crisis etc.....brokers have no more idea than you and I really....events circumstances change all the time...and they affect the market..having said that I'm in here, think they are good value

Costain in line with its expectations BFN Engineering solutions provider Costain finished the year in line with the board's expectations and increased its order book. The group said it secured significant new contracts during the year as a result of its strategy of focusing on major public and private sector customers whose spending plans are driven by national need, regulatory commitments or essential maintenance requirements. These include: * London Bridge Station redevelopment for Network Rail * Crossrail Paddington Station and advanced works at Crossrail Bond Street * A465 Heads of the Valleys road for the Welsh Government * Contracts for Northumbrian Water AMP5 and Severn Trent * Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) development of carbon capture technology * Decommissioning contract at Trawsfynydd nuclear site The group finished the year with an increased forward order book of £2.5bn (2010: £2.4bn), which included in excess of £650m of work secured for 2012 and more than £1.8bn of revenue secured for 2013 and beyond. In addition, Costain has a strong preferred bidder position at around £400m. At 8:11am: (LON:COST) Costain Group share price was +3.88p at 195.88p

Philski 515 Jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 mary 499.99 slimjim1 475 docholiday 465 Chand 455 Bonz1957 445 Thistle 421 Peakoil 419 Hammi 414 Sonoqui 398

if anyone wants to make a guess for end of month jan ..please post your entries on the board by end of close friday 6th jan Jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 mary 499.99 Graveydavey 499 slimjim1 475 docholiday 465 Chand 455 Bonz1957 445 Thistle 421 Peakoil 419 Hammi 414 Sonoqui 398

if anyone wants to make a guess for end of month jan ..please post your entries on the board by end of close friday 6th jan Jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 mary 499.99 slimjim1 475 docholiday 465 Chand 455 Bonz1957 445 Thistle 421 Peakoil 419 Hammi 414 Sonoqui 398

jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 mary 499.99 docholiday 465 Chand 455 Thistle 421 Peakoil 419 Hammi 414 Sonoqui 398

Inscrut 507.4 docholiday 465 Chand 455 Thistle 421 Peakoil 419 Hammi 414 Sonoqui 398

Boost for Weir as Citigroup repeats value lift Simon Bain Business Correspondent/Personal Finance Editor ONE of Weir Group's City followers yesterday upvalued the group for the second time in a month. Citigroup, which upped its price target for Weir shares by 100p to 1700p at the end of last month, lifted it by another 250p to 1950p. The Scottish engineering leader's shares closed down 17p at 1974p yesterday. They peaked at 2210p on July 25 and bottomed this year at 1375p on October 4. Citigroup says it has raised its value target to 12.6 times Weir's expected 2012 earnings, in line with the 12.5 multiple of its "higher-quality" UK peer group and the 12.7 of the European oil services sector. "Overall, we see Weir's business mix as attractive based on its high emerging market exposure [about 44% of sales] and the longer-cycle growth potential of its key end-markets of oil and gas, mining and power [about 87% of sales]," says Citigroup. "However, its [current] valuation is in line with the 'higher-quality' UK peers, suggesting the business attractions are largely captured in the share price." The Citigroup note says the analysis assumes continued global economic growth, specifically investment in areas such as mining and to a lesser degree oil and gas. "A reversal of the trend could be a negative for earnings," it said. The note says other risks to consider include input costs and currency, and also cautions that the 12.6 multiple assumed for Weir is higher than the 11.3 of the European mining sector and the 11.0 of the US oil services sector. The rating is in line, says Citigroup, with those of resilient European engineers such as Rotork and Spirax-Sarco.

yes sorry it was a bit hard on the eyes...and to follow........as for BP..no idea......but sold half my holding just incase...and will top up if it goes under 4 again or should that be when...lol..yes think most folks p/f's have taken a battering this year including mine....but tbh..it's been a great learning curve for me this year albeit an expensive one at the moment....but with most i'm happy to be patient and hold and wait and see. Tough times indeed Nice to see you are doing your bit as a shareholder lets hope they reward you ...in time..ATB

however, NH there’s still a bit of selling time before Dec 25th NH could they warn again? NH if Saturday is bad? BE Well, exactly. I imagine Thornton’s big day is Christmas Eve. BE Them, Body Shop and Superdrug. BE With people buying absolutely anything at the last minute. NH well men do BE Well, yes. The Body Shop soap in a basket set. BE The December 24th classic. BE Right – any more comment on this one? NH hang on BE Here’s Espirito Santo. BE Very brief statement from the company which says that due to high levels of promotional activity in the market, the company does not expect to meet current market expectations for FY12E (to June). Company now expects underlying PBT to be break even. We were at the bottom end of consensus on £3.1m (3.3p). While management has in place a strategy to reduce the store portfolio from 364 to around 200 over the next three years (replacing them with franchised stores), concerns remain as to whether this can happen quickly enough to offset the underlying attrition to high street sales. Thorntons remains highly operationally geared, with the fixed cost base of its factory as well as its stores. On current estimates, we assume y/e net debt of £25.6m (net debt/EBITDA of 1.5x). The company renegotiated bank facilities in June and has £57.5m plus £5m overdraft available to October 2015. Covenants are measured half yearly. We maintain our Sell recommendation. NH the first retail casuality of 2012 NH or will that be HMV Group PLC (HMV:LSE): http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2011/12/21/810001/markets-live/

was browsing the web and came across this......hope you are well...All the best for Christmas and the New Year Thorntons PLC (THT:LSE): Last: 24.25, down 13.75 (-36.18%), High: 28.75, Low: 23.50, Volume: 1.39m BE Blaming promotional activity. NH and poor consumer confidence BE Though, as usual, we blame mismanagement of the brand. NH we do NH they have devalued the brand NH but shifting it into supermarkets NH the result is NH Thorntons has lost all cache BE It has. Thornton’s could’ve been taken either upmarket or downmarket. BE Compete with Hotel Du Thingmybob or Cadbury. BE Don’t get crushed between them. BE Because the centre can’t hold. NH quite NH so they were expected to make £4.5m NH now they will break even NH but note that’s break even before bad stuff NH like those irritating leases BE Because …. leases ….. are ….. exceptional? NH Following continued weakness in consumer sentiment and high levels of promotional activity in the market place, the Board now considers profits for its full year will fall short of current expectations. The Board now believes that profit before taxation, exceptionals and impairment and onerous lease charges will be around break even for the 53 weeks ending 30th June 2012. NH Onerous leases no less BE Can they operate without shops? BE Is that the new model? Are they setting up on a market stall? I don’t understand that. BE So ….. BE Big question …. BE Are they going to breach covenants? NH not according to the house broker NH although Investec admits NH there’s not a lot to go on NH The combination of weak consumer sentiment and a highly promotional market environment in its peak trading period has led Thorntons to cut PBT guidance for FY12E. The Board is indicating that the group will be around breakeven at the PBT level, before exceptionals, impairment and onerous lease charges. We consequently place our forecasts and TP under review, ahead of further details in the trading update of 12th January. NH Summary: In a brief update, Thorntons has indicated its expectations of a broadly breakeven performance at the PBT level for FY12, compared with our forecast for a £4.5m profit. This has resulted from continued weakness in consumer sentiment, reflected in and magnified by high levels of promotional activity across the market NH We infer therefore a mixture of both sales and gross margin weakness has prompted the revised PBT guidance. In the absence of more quantified details on trading across the channels and margin performance in the peak Q2 period, we are therefore placing our PBT and dividend forecasts under review, with the intention of revising these on publication of a more detailed trading update on 12th January. We understand that covenants would not be breached at the projected level of PBT guidance. NH however, NH there’s still a bi

Buy British Land at 468.5p Says Robert Sutherland-Smith of UK350.com Making the most of his extensive knowledge and long City experience, Robert Sutherland-Smith takes a sensible long-term approach to investing, identifying the stocks with the greatest potential from the FTSE 350. To get a fortnightly newsletter from Robert, featuring his analysis of the market outlook, a new recommendation and updates on previously tipped stocks, join UK350.com now. Buy British Land (BLND) at 468.5p The three things that are most valuable in the property company British Land (BLND) are the quality of its property portfolio, the latest and estimated value of that portfolio and its estimated dividend yield. With the earlier expected recovery in City property values put on hold, British Land’s property portfolio value stands at a premium to the share price; or to put it another way, the share price at 468.5p stands at a 21.5% discount to the estimated net year end asset value for the current year of 597p (it was an historic 591p at the interim stage.) Asset values are a measure of a property company’s worth but they do not pay the bills. To take care of that, British Land shares offer a forward estimated dividend yield of 5.57% on the expectation that that the company will be increasing its dividend payout a little to 26.11p (26p last time). It is the continuing dullness of short term recovery in City of property values that produces those things that are a joy to long term investors; high income supported by a high asset value. In due time, the property market in the City will recover (development has been positive but limited since 2009) as demand starts to outstrip supply. Clearly, there will be no Tobin Tax here although there may be one in Dusseldorf and Paris - to London’s advantage. The West End of London seems to be Europe’s leading shopping destination for wealthy international consumers. Good long term value. BUY.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=201112071149315204T&fe=1

7 December 2011 Johannesburg ISSUE OF SHARES FOR CASH TO YA GLOBAL MASTERS SPV LTD ("YA") SacOil shareholders ("Shareholders") are advised that further to the general meeting of Shareholders which was held on Thursday, 17 November 2011 ("general meeting") and the passing of a special resolution relating to a specific authority to issue up to a maximum of 339 390 036 SacOil ordinary shares ("Shares") over a three year period ending November 2014 ("Specific Issue"), 14 318 181 Shares (the "SEDA Shares") have been issued to YA at a price of R0,44 per Share pursuant to the terms of the Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated 12 October 2011. Application has been made to the JSE Limited ("JSE") to grant a listing of the SEDA Shares and to the London Stock Exchange for the admission of the SEDA Shares to trading on the AIM Market. The listing of the SEDA Shares on the JSE and the admission of the SEDA Shares to trading on AIM are expected to take place on Tuesday, 13 December 2011. The proceeds of the issue of the SEDA Shares will be utilised to repay short term debt. http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=201112070700365050T&fe=1

Bp end of month comp December please post any last minute entries on the board before open of market on monday thanks guess the closing sp Kayte 545 ames 525 RoddyMcCorley 523.75 jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 buller 501 BillFrank 499.99 Dangermouse70 497 JJ 493 No4 490 Chand 486 Hairy 485 MrB386 480 Thistle 475.5 stonecutterboy 475 Philski 474.5 slimjim1 471 MrMan 450 Hammi 443 peakoil 435 sonoqui 375 jonisonvespa 7p

British Land Co PLC ?64m Whiteley Retail Development Committed to RNS Number : 1773T British Land Co PLC 02 December 2011  2 December 2011 BRITISH LAND AND USS CONFIRM COMMITMENT TO £64 MILLION WHITELEY RETAIL DEVELOPMENT British Land and Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited (USS) are pleased to confirm their commitment to the development of the 300,000 sq ft Whiteley Shopping Centre in South Hampshire. Lettings at the £64 million development have now reached 50% by floor area, with M&S (60,000 sq ft) and Next (19,500 sq ft) committing to anchor the scheme. The shopping centre, which is set to open in spring 2013, will comprise over 50 units totalling 242,000 sq ft of retail space, 58,000 sq ft of restaurants, cafés and other facilities and 1,136 free car park spaces. Other pre-lets include H&M (18,200 sq ft), Boots (12,300 sq ft), JD Sports (6,800 sq ft), Bank (6,300 sq ft), Sports Direct (10,700 sq ft), Frankie & Benny's (4,000 sq ft) and Starbucks (2,500 sq ft). Designed by architect Corstophine and Wright, Whiteley Shopping Centre will serve a large and affluent catchment of 1.2 million people with an estimated £3.1 billion of potential spend. The catchment is set to expand further in the foreseeable future with 3,000 new homes at North Whiteley. The development will transform the existing outlet scheme into a significant shopping centre destination, featuring contemporary shop units with double height glazing and oak panels centred around a new town square. Situated between the two harbour cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, and adjacent to an existing Tesco supermarket, the scheme benefits from excellent accessibility via Junction 9 of the M27. Charles Maudsley, Head of Retail for British Land, said: "Whiteley has the success factors we look for in all our schemes: dominance and accessibility; affordability; good unit configuration and flexibility; and an excellent overall shopping environment. "British Land will concentrate on developing mid-sized, urban retail schemes like Whiteley and leveraging our ability, experience and financial strength to create incremental value. We have the right strategy to develop successfully and exploit future demand for the right space." Graham Burnett, Head of Property for USS added: "Achieving this level of pre-lets in the current challenging climate is testament to both the high quality of the scheme and the strength of the combined team. Whiteley will provide an excellent shopping experience which, importantly, will include independent local retailers and new community facilities. Its sustainability credentials will also be very strong, as evidenced by the development's BREEAM 'Excellent' accreditation." Enabling works are currently nearing completion with main construction scheduled to begin on site in early 2012. Completion is projected for spring 2013.

Today 14:56bullerThistle comp457.15No Opinion my guess is 501. GL to allToday 14:53MrManprice comp457.20No Opinion i will stick with 450p

RoddyMcCorley 523.75 jamesmaggs 510 Inscrut 507.4 BillFrank 499.99 No4 490 Chand 486 MrB386 480 Thistle 475.5 stonecutterboy 475 Philski 474.5 slimjim1 471 Hammi 443 peakoil 435 sonoqui 375

Elsewhere in the Telegraph, Questor says diamond miner Gem Diamonds is a stock worth holding on to if you are already an investor. Yesterday, Gem revealed that it had approved the expansion of its 70pc-owned Letseng mine in Lesotho – a move that could potentially double diamond output to about 200,000 carats a year by 2014. The total cost for doing this will be about $280m (£177m) and it will be funded out of the company's cash flow. Obviously, a sustained slump in diamond prices could put the funding at risk. Meanwhile, there could be a bit of bid interest to spice things up. Graff Diamonds is believed to be in the process of preparing a flotation in Hong Kong, and the money raised could be used to snap up Gem as a way of "vertically integrating" the business. Trading on a current year earnings multiple of 9.1, falling to just 7.7 next year, the shares remain a hold until diamond prices stabilise, Questor reckons.

nearly the season......for it....lol..hope you are well LONDON (Sharecast) - Weir: UBS increases target from 2,400p to 2,500p, buy rating kept.