26 Jun 12. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (SS/L) for US$875m in a transaction that is immediately accretive. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SS/L is the global market leading provider of commercial communications satellites, serving a global customer base. The acquisition transforms MDA into a major player in commercial communications and provides the Company with critical mass in the U.S. market. The transaction meets MDA’s long-term objective of gaining a stronger presence in the U.S. market. SS/L has a U.S.-based workforce of 3,200 highly skilled employees, and over one million square feet of state-of-the-art facilities. SS/L will continue to operate under its well-established brand and proven management team. Following the acquisition, MDA will have combined annual revenues of $1.9bn (calendar year 2011), and a combined backlog of $2.8bn (March 31,
2012). The acquisition is also expected to provide global opportunities for future growth as MDA enters markets fuelled by some of today’s most compelling consumer communications needs. SS/L has gained a strong market presence serving major commercial satellite operators and has been awarded more commercial satellite contracts worldwide than any other company since 2005 (Futron Satellite Orders Report). SS/L revenues for 2011 were US$1.1bn, with pro-forma operating EBITDA of US$153m. SS/L has a backlog of US$2bn (March 31, 2012), providing good revenue visibility going forward.
25 Jun 12. Cohort plc. Preliminary Results for year ended 30 April 2012.
Cohort plc announcesd its preliminary results for the year ended 30 April 2012. Highlights include:
2012 2011 %
Revenue £75.4m £65.1m 16
Adjusted
operating profit* £6.5m £4.4m 48
Adjusted profit
before tax* £6.5m £4.3m 51
Adjusted
earnings per share* 15.52p 9.60p 62
Profit before tax £4.2m £2.7m 56
Net funds £14.1m £6.7m 110
Order book (closing)£107m £103m 4
Proposed
final dividend
per share 1.9p 1.6p 19
Total dividend
per share 2.9p 2.4p 21
* Excludes exceptional items, amortisation of other intangible assets and exchange differences on marking forward exchange contracts to market.
21 Jun 12. RT Quaife Engineering Ltd is delighted to announce the purchase of all tooling, designs and intellectual property relating to the Tran-X brand of transmission components from its parent company Auto Sport Engineering of Coventry. As such, Quaife is now able to offer Tran-X’s existing trade and retail customers the vast majority of the firm’s current range ex-stock, including the popular Tran-X clutch plate limited slip differentials, close-ratio gearkits and Ford English / Atlas axle crownwheel and pinion sets. Quaife has transferred production capability for the Tran-X range to its Sevenoaks headquarters, where manufacturing of new Tran-X stock is already underway to ensure continuity of supply. Existing retail pricing for the Tran-X brand will be held in the short term but placed under review. Quaife also aims for a continuation of existing sales relationships with Tran-X’s trade clients, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.
26 Jun 12. Park Electrochemical Corp. (NYSE-PKE) reported net sales of $46,046,000 for the first quarter ended May 27, 2012 compared to net sales of $51,817,000 for the last year’s first quarter ended May 29, 2011. Park reported net earnings of $4,933,000 for the first quarter ended May 27, 2012 compared to net earnings of $7,242,000 for the first quarter of last year. Park reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.24 for the first quarter ended May 27, 2012 compared to basic and diluted earnings