Recent articles for private investors with a focus on dividend announcements
Anglo American Q2 Production Report
20 July 2012
Anglo American plc
Production Report for the second quarter ended 30 June 2012
Halfords Q1 2012/13 IMS - interim dividend unchanged
Halfords Group plc First-Quarter FY13 Interim Management Statement
Severn Trent IMS July 2012
The Board of Severn Trent Plc confirms that trading across the group has been in line with its expectations and prior guidance.
London Stock Exchange IMS - July 2012
INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD TO 17 JULY 2012, INCLUDING REVENUES AND KPIs FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2012 (Q1)
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust half yearly report - dividend rise
Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc half yearly report for the Six Months ended 30 June 2012Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc (ASCoT) invests only in small UK quoted companies and is managed by Aberforth Partners LLP. All data throughout this Half Yearly Report are to, or as at, 30 June 2012 as applicable, unless otherwise stated.The investment objective of ASCoT is to achieve a net asset value total return (with dividends reinvested) greater than on the Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding Investment Companies) over the long term.CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENTFor the six months to 30 June 2012, Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc (ASCoT) achieved a net asset value total return of 13.0%, which compares with a total return of 11.6% from your Company's investment benchmark, the Numis Smaller Companies Index excluding Investment Companies (NSCI (XIC)), formerly known as the RBS Hoare Govett Smaller Companies Index. Meanwhile, the larger company oriented FTSE All-Share Index registered a total return of 3.3%. Over the period, smaller companies thus delivered a return that was 8.3 percentage points higher than on the FTSE All-Share, while ASCoT's NAV return exceeded the FTSE All-Share by 9.7 percentage points. The NSCI (XIC) represents a change in name only for your Company's investment benchmark. The data and series continue to be provided by London Business School and represent an unbroken series since 1955.The Managers' Report provides greater insight into the influences that have affected markets and your Company during the period. It has once again been a volatile period for markets with events in the Eurozone continuing to cast a shadow. Around the world, investors remain cautious, often favouring safer havens, and this, together with the actions of central banks has driven some government bond yields to their lowest levels for well over a hundred years.Against such a global backdrop, it is encouraging that for your Company we have seen a continuation of the recent trends of rising dividends and gradually increasing merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, which has frequently been referenced in our recent Annual and Interim Reports to Shareholders.For long term investors, dividends are a key contributor to overall returns, while for the value investor that role is amplified. The dividend environment continues to be favourable and is allowing your Board to pursue the Company's progressive dividend policy with an 8.5% rise in the first interim dividend to 7.0p per Ordinary Share. The interim dividend will be paid on 23 August 2012.For Shareholders participating in ASCoT's Dividend Re-Investment Plan, the last date for submission of Forms of Election is 2 August 2012. With the introduction of recent tax changes allowing investment companies to distribute capital gains, Shareholders should be reassured that the increased dividend has been delivered via the revenue account while also allowing an increase in the "old fashioned" revenue reserves which now stand at 28.1p per share. Those revenue reserves, while playing a minor role in your Company's longer term dividend record, were utilised in the immediate aftermath of the global financial crisis.At the Annual General Meeting on 7 March 2012, all resolutions were passed, including that which renewed the authority to buy-in up to 14.99% of ASCoT'S Ordinary Shares. During the six months to 30 June 2012, 251,000 Ordinary Shares were purchased under this authority for a total consideration of£1,469,000 at an average discount of 17%. Your Board keeps under review the circumstances under which the authority is utilised in relation to the overall objective of seeking to manage the discount.Based on the dual influences of rising dividends and M&A activity, last year's Interim Report expressed cautious optimism, but this proved misplaced as the second half of 2011 saw dysfunctional European credit markets re-emerge as the central issue for investors. A re-run of last year cannot be ruled out, but nor can it be taken as a given.Uncertainty is always present and, while real economic challenges lie ahead, the equity market's ability, eventually, to work through such periods is not in question. Indeed, for investors with a long term horizon, a heightened level of uncertainty can also represent an opportunity. Your Board fully understands the Managers' portfolio positioning in favour of the smaller small companies in the NSCI (XIC) universe. This provides valuation support with the added benefit of balance sheet flexibility at the investee company level.Your Board remains confident that the Managers' experience and consistency of approach will benefit ASCoT over the long term.Professor Paul Marsh Chairman18 July 2012
Rio Tinto Q2 2012 IMS
Chief executive Tom Albanese said "The second quarter was strong across most of the portfolio, with record first half iron ore production, and copper, bauxite, alumina, coking coal and titanium dioxide production all higher than in the second quarter of 2011.
Sage IMS September 2012
The Sage Group plc ("Sage") is today issuing its interim management statement which covers the period from 1 April 2012 to date.
Electrocomponents IMS June 2012
Electrocomponents plc, the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has today issued its interim management statement for the year ending 31 March 2013 which covers the first quarter ended 30 June 2012
ABF IMS - September 2012
Associated British Foods plc today issues its third quarter management statement, in accordance with the requirements of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency rules. The figures stated below relate to the 40 weeks ended 23 June 2012.
Hays Trading Statement
Hays plcTRADING UPDATEQUARTER ENDED 30 JUNE 201211 July 2012Financial summaryGrowth in net fees for the quarter ended 30 June 2012 (Q4) Growth(versus the same period last year) Actual LFBy regionAsia Pacific 0% 1%Continental Europe & Rest of World 5% 14%United Kingdom & Ireland (10)% (9)%Total (1)% 2%By segmentTemporary 5% 8%Permanent (8)% (5)%Total (1)% 2%Highlights Solid Group net fee growth of 2%* versus prior year International business delivered good growth of 8%*; representing 71% of net feesin the quarter Strong growth of 14%* in Continental Europe & Rest of World, driven by continuedexcellent performance in Germany which grew by 25%*
Interserve Trading Statement
InterserveTRADING UPDATEInterserve, the international support services and construction group, todayprovides a trading update in advance of announcing half-year results on 15August 2012.Highlights* Good trading during the first half with increased revenues and marginstracking as expected* Over £1 billion of new work won in 2012, reinforcing strong future workload* Continued strong cash generation* Realised value from PFI portfolio through the recent University CollegeLondon Hospitals (UCLH) transactionChief Executive Adrian Ringrose commented,"Interserve is trading well, expanding our already strong client relationships.This is reflected in revenue growth and a healthy future workload.Additionally, we have executed our strategy through the acquisition of BEST, apublic services business, and have unlocked further value from our PFIportfolio."Trading performanceThe Group continues to trade well underpinned by strong cash generation.Segmental performances remain consistent with those described in the InterimManagement Statement published on 16 May 2012.* We have won work worth over £1 billion with clients including Ministry ofJustice, Alder Hey Children's Trust, Alliance Boots, Tata, Gammon-Hyundai,William Hill, Ladbrokes, BPP, Sainsbury's, National Grid, West YorkshirePolice Authority and the Highways Agency.* Support Services, both UK and internationally, is progressing well withcore markets showing growth. Our efficiency improvement programme isdelivering margin gains year on year.* Construction has performed in line with expectations, with a degree ofoutperformance in the UK offsetting weakness in some international markets.* Equipment Services is growing, led by the Far East and parts of the MiddleEast with continued strong trading in Australasia. Europe, notably Irelandand Spain, and North America remain muted.Strategic developmentThe partial disposal of our interest in UCLH demonstrates the latent value inour PFI portfolio. On completion this transaction will generate £35 million ofcash. In addition we have acquired the welfare-to-work business renamedInterserve Working Futures, furthering our strategy of developing as afront-line public services provider.Financial positionWe have significant available debt facilities which, combined with prudent cashmanagement, reinforce our strong financial position.OutlookWe continue to expect stable trading in 2012, in line with market expectations.Our medium-term growth strategy remains focused on:* Building strong core businesses* Expanding internationally* Capturing new opportunities that broaden the scope of our core businesses
Interserve Trading Statement
InterserveTRADING UPDATEInterserve, the international support services and construction group, todayprovides a trading update in advance of announcing half-year results on 15August 2012.Highlights* Good trading during the first half with increased revenues and marginstracking as expected* Over £1 billion of new work won in 2012, reinforcing strong future workload* Continued strong cash generation* Realised value from PFI portfolio through the recent University CollegeLondon Hospitals (UCLH) transactionChief Executive Adrian Ringrose commented,"Interserve is trading well, expanding our already strong client relationships.This is reflected in revenue growth and a healthy future workload.Additionally, we have executed our strategy through the acquisition of BEST, apublic services business, and have unlocked further value from our PFIportfolio."Trading performanceThe Group continues to trade well underpinned by strong cash generation.Segmental performances remain consistent with those described in the InterimManagement Statement published on 16 May 2012.* We have won work worth over £1 billion with clients including Ministry ofJustice, Alder Hey Children's Trust, Alliance Boots, Tata, Gammon-Hyundai,William Hill, Ladbrokes, BPP, Sainsbury's, National Grid, West YorkshirePolice Authority and the Highways Agency.* Support Services, both UK and internationally, is progressing well withcore markets showing growth. Our efficiency improvement programme isdelivering margin gains year on year.* Construction has performed in line with expectations, with a degree ofoutperformance in the UK offsetting weakness in some international markets.* Equipment Services is growing, led by the Far East and parts of the MiddleEast with continued strong trading in Australasia. Europe, notably Irelandand Spain, and North America remain muted.Strategic developmentThe partial disposal of our interest in UCLH demonstrates the latent value inour PFI portfolio. On completion this transaction will generate £35 million ofcash. In addition we have acquired the welfare-to-work business renamedInterserve Working Futures, furthering our strategy of developing as afront-line public services provider.Financial positionWe have significant available debt facilities which, combined with prudent cashmanagement, reinforce our strong financial position.OutlookWe continue to expect stable trading in 2012, in line with market expectations.Our medium-term growth strategy remains focused on:* Building strong core businesses* Expanding internationally* Capturing new opportunities that broaden the scope of our core businesses
Interior Services Group - July 2012 trading statement announce dividend cut
Interior Services Group plc
Betfair Final 2011/12 Results - dividend increased
Betfair Group plc Preliminary results for the 12 months ended 30 April 2012
Standard Chartered Pre Close Trading update June 2012
Standard Chartered PLC along with its subsidiaries, (the "Group") will be holding discussions with analysts and investors ahead of its close period for the half year ending 30 June 2012. This statement details the information that will be covered in those discussions.
Serco Pre-close Statement June 2012
Ahead of Serco's half year end on 30 June 2012, we will be holding our customary pre-close meetings with analysts over the coming days. No new material information will be disclosed. The Group remains on track to meet expectations for 2012: we continue to expect another year of strong total revenue growth, including further good organic growth, together with an Adjusted operating margin increase similar to 2011.Our recently created global BPO business has demonstrated the strength of its strategic positioning, achieving excellent new contract wins that will add significant future revenues. In our regional frontline operations we have seen further strong growth in AMEAA, an improving outlook in the UK, but conditions in the US federal market remain very tough for our Americas division.Accordingly, for the first half of the year, we expect a small reduction in the Group's organic revenue. Acquisitions will contribute growth of approximately 6% to the Group's total revenue. The Adjusted operating margin, before the implementation costs of organisational changes, is expected to be broadly flat compared to the corresponding period in 2011.As previously indicated, our financial performance (including revenue growth,margin progression and free cash generation) will be weighted to the second half of the year when we expect a strong financial result. This reflects excellent performance over the last few months in securing new contract awards that will flow through to organic revenue growth; the successful conclusion of our change programme; and the benefit of recent acquisitions.Serco will release its 2012 half year results on Wednesday 29 August 2012. As previously described, our reporting will now reflect the new corporate structure, comprising the Global Services division, alongside a single UK &Europe division, and our Americas and AMEAA divisions. Segmental income statement information for the comparable reporting periods is published today on www.serco.com.
Interserve Contract win
INTERSERVE WINS £24m CORBY LINK ROAD CONTRACTInterserve, the international support services and construction group, has wona £24 million contract with Northamptonshire County Council to build the newA43 Corby Link Road.The scheme, developed by the council over many years, will improve transportlinks between Corby and the A14, support the growth of Corby and relieve theA43 at Geddington of through-traffic. The project aims to reduce the number andseverity of road accidents and provide a high quality route.Site preparation works are under way, with the main contract due to start inJuly. Completion and road opening are expected in early 2014. The scheme willinvolve the construction of approximately 6.5km of dual carriageway and threenew bridges. Where the road crosses a valley Interserve will accommodate thewatercourse beneath it in a box culvert.Extensive earthworks and piling will be required, with cuttings and embankmentsup to 10m deep and 8m high. Interserve will use local resources whereverpossible and, in accordance with the council's requirements to protectendangered species, will translocate bluebells and ancient hedgerows.David Paterson, Interserve Executive Director, says, "The A43 Corby Link Roadwill benefit both the local community and through traffic. The project willshowcase our expertise in major civil works and our commitment to deliveringsuch extensive developments sustainably. Our major projects team will work withlocal suppliers to achieve this."
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