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Pope Francis: ‘Conversion means changing your way of thinking, not just living’

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On Sunday, Pope Francis led the faithful in praying for the victims of the avalanche in central Italy that buried a hotel Reported by Catholic Herald 2 hours ago.

3 puppies found alive after hotel buried by avalanche in Italy

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Italian emergency crews pulled three wiggling, white sheepdog puppies out from under tons of snow and rubble at an avalanche-struck hotel on Monday, giving rescuers new hope of finding alive the 23 people still missing five days after the disaster. Reported by Newsday 1 hour ago.

Venter named Italy's new defensive coach

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Venter named Italy's new defensive coach Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter has joined Italy as defence coach, the Italian rugby federation announced on Monday. Reported by SuperSport 2 hours ago.

Foreign Secretary Jaishankar gets one-year extension

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Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, whose tenure was to end on January 28, on Monday got a one-year extension.

The nod for the extension of his tenure till January 28, 2018 was given by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, official sources said. A 1977-IFS batch officer, Jaishankar was appointed Foreign Secretary on January 29, 2015 just few days before his retirement replacing Sujata Singh, whose term was abruptly curtailed by the government. 

With Jaishankar getting the extension, many senior diplomats including India's ambassador to Italy Anil Wadhwa (1979-batch) and Secretary (West) Sujata Mehta (1980-batch) will retire without getting a shot at the top position. India's ambassador to China, Vijay Gokhale, seen as one of the main contenders to replace Jaishankar, is retiring in the end of January 2019. And with Jaishankar getting a one-year term, it leaves Gokhale in the race for the top diplomatic position in the External Affairs Ministry.

The coming month will also see a number of key appointments in the External Affairs Ministry with Vikas Swarup, Additional Secretary and Spokesperson in the Ministry, on his way to Canada as High Commissioner. He is waiting for his official agreement to come from Ottawa which is likely by the month end. The post is lying vacant after Vishnu Prakash retired in October.

Swarup is expected to be replaced by Gopal Baglay, currently looking after (Pakistan-Iran-Afghanistan) in the ministry. Baglay has earlier also had a stint in the XP division of the MEA as Director from 2008 to 2010. In first half of 2017, ambassadorial positions will also open up in several key countries including Germany and Nepal.

ReportIndiaPTINew Delhi

· Vijay Gokhale
· Vikas Swarup
· Sujata Mehta
· S Jaishankar
· Sujata Singh
· Foreign Secretary

Mon, 23 Jan 2017-11:30pm
Date updated: 
Monday, 23 January 2017 - 11:30pm
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From Print Edition:  Reported by DNA 34 minutes ago.

Manz AG: Orders amounting to EUR 263 million for turnkey lines and strategic cooperation mark breakthrough in CIGS thin-film solar business

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DGAP-News: Manz AG / Key word(s): Alliance/Incoming Orders

23.01.2017 / 18:44
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------

*Manz AG: Orders amounting to EUR 263 million for turnkey lines and strategic cooperation mark breakthrough in CIGS thin-film solar business *

- Bulk orders for two turnkey CIGS production lines totaling 350 MW capacity by far the largest orders in the company's history ever

- Manz enters strategic cooperation including solar joint ventures with two leading companies in China's energy sector to commercialize CIGS thin-film technology

- Cooperation lays foundation for sustainable profitable corporate development of Manz AG and opens up immense revenue potential for the future

Reutlingen, January 23, 2017 - Manz AG (ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3) has entered into a strategic cooperation with Shanghai Electric Group Co., Ltd. and Shenhua Group Co., Ltd. in the field of CIGS thin-film technology. In the course of that, Manz AG received two bulk orders, one for a CIGS production line with a capacity of 306 MW and another one for a CIGS R&D line with 44 MW capacity. The order for the R&D line has been placed by a newly established R&D Joint Venture, the order for the CIGS turnkey mass production line (CIGSfab) by a newly established module joint venture of affiliated subisidiaries of Shenhua Group and Shanghai Electric. This CIGSfab, which will be the largest CIGS production line in China and the second largest worldwide, will be built in Chongqing.* *The installation will start in 2017 and will be finished in the following year 2018. Considering the immense potential worldwide this order, however, is considered only as a first step. The order volume totals EUR 263 million and will affect revenues and earnings during the financial years 2017 and 2018. Due to corresponding down payment agreements, these orders will be realized cash flow positive. Both, the cooperation as well as the orders received, form the basis for a profitable corporate development of Manz AG and prove the technological and cost leadership of CIGS thin-film technology.

Dieter Manz, CEO and founder of Manz AG, is pleased: "This cooperation is absolutely outstanding in the solar industry worldwide. We were always convinced of the superiority and potential of our CIGS thin-film technology since CIGS modules from Manz already offer the lowest electricity generation costs in comparison to the crystalline silicon technology. Today's agreements mark the breakthrough in our solar business. Our confidence in our excellent engineering know-how will now pay off."

In order to further commercialize and develop Manz CIGS thin-film technology, the three partners - Shenhua, Shanghai Electric and Manz - agreed combining their strengths in the area of power generation, large-scale equipment manufacturing and world-leading technology. Shenhua Group, the largest coal enterprise in China and the largest coal supplier in the world, teamed up with Shanghai Electric, anchor investor of Manz AG and leading equipment supplier in China for power generation, to cover know-how through the entire value chain of renewable power generation from CIGS solar modules. Manz AG has exclusive access to the world record for CIGS thin-film solar cell efficiency on glass at 22.6% thanks to its longstanding and exclusive collaboration with the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research of Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW). Moreover, Manz already runs one of the largest and most experienced R&D teams in the field of CIGS worldwide at its location in Schwaebisch Hall.

*R&D Joint Venture: Unique alliance for development of CIGS thin-film technology*

With today's signing, the companies laid the foundation for a unique R&D Joint Venture that will become the world-leading research company dedicated to the CIGS thin-film technology. The R&D Joint Venture will leverage the potential of CIGS for further efficiency increase and reduction of manufacturing costs. With the objective to further accelerate the R&D process, a R&D line will be installed in Beijing in addition to the existing one of Manz in Schwaebisch Hall. Therefore, Manz AG will deliver a 44 MW line to the joint venture. The current R&D entity for CIGS from Manz AG, the Manz CIGS Technology GmbH, will be aquired by the new R&D JV for EUR 50 million. In return, Manz becomes shareholder of the Joint Venture with 15%for an amount of EUR 25 million. The remaining shares are held by affiliated subsidiaries of Shenhua Group and Shanghai Electric.
The involved parties also agreed to guarantee the site and jobs in Schwaebisch Hall for the next five years. "By establishing this world class R&D Joint Venture with our financially strong strategic partners we will further expand the cost leadership of the CIGS technology. In addition annual negative earnings effects in our P&L of EUR 15-20 million from running the site in Schwaebisch Hall will cease with this agreement. This, together with the order pipeline of 350 MW and the further immense potential form the basis for a profitable development of Manz AG," Dieter Manz explains.

*Equipment Joint Venture: Cooperation agreements open up big revenue potential in the upcoming years*

To push forward the realization of this immense potential in a sustainable way, Shanghai Electric, Shenhua Group and Manz will also establish an Equipment Joint Venture which will exclusively start sales activities for the CIGSfab in China, realize the engineering services during upcoming projects and support the ramp-up. Whereas the above mentioned bulk orders for the R&D line as well as the 306 MW production line have been placed at Manz AG directly, potential orders from China may follow and will be placed at the Equipment Joint Venture. Major shareholder in this Joint Venture is Manz AG with 56% and therefore will fully consolidate future revenues and earnings. Shanghai Electric and Shenhua Group hold the remaining shares in the joint venture. In the rest of the world CIGSfabs will be sold solely by Manz AG. Within the further commercialization, the Equipment Joint Venture will also have access to the future research results of the R&D Joint Venture as well as from the collaboration with the ZSW through exclusive license rights agreements.

Dieter Manz: "Today is a great day for our company and the entire solar industry. We have been working hard towards this day and finally our longstanding perseverance as well as the high investments in the further development of our CIGS technology are paying off. The past years have not always been easy, neither for our employees nor for our shareholders. But it was worth it! Manz now takes over a leading role with its fully integrated turnkey production line CIGSfab regarding the technological change from the labor- and material-intensive crystalline solar technology towards the resource-saving and efficient thin- film solar technology. This makes us all very proud."*Further information:*

You can find further information on the importance of the strategic cooperation for the further development of CIGS thin-film solar technology as well as its meaning for Manz AG here: https://www.manz.com/ecomaXL/files/Manz-CIGS-Background.pdf

Current pictures and videos to CIGS can be downloaded here:

Pictures: https://www.manz.com/media/downloads/pictures/?category=60
Video: https://www.manz.com/media/downloads/videos/tfs-prozessschritte-26/

*Company profiles: *

*Manz AG - passion for efficiency*

As a globally active high-tech equipment manufacturer, Manz AG, based in Reutlingen, Germany, is a pioneer for innovative products in fast-growing markets. Founded in 1987, the company has expertise in seven technology sectors: Automation, laser processing, vacuum coating, screen printing, metrology, wet chemical and roll-to-roll processing. Manz deploys and continuously develops these technologies in three strategic business segments: Electronics, Solar and Energy Storage.

The company is led by founder Dieter Manz and has been listed on the stock exchange in Germany since 2006. It currently develops and produces in Germany, China, Taiwan, Slovakia, Hungary and Italy. It also has sales and service branches in the United States and India. Manz's claim "passion for efficiency" offers the promise of production systems of the highest efficiency and innovation to its customers in dynamic, future-oriented segments. With its comprehensive expertise in developing new production technologies and related machines, the company contributes substantially to reducing production costs for end products, making them accessible to large groups of buyers the world over.

*Shanghai* *Electric Group Co., Ltd.*

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. is one of the largest and most comprehensive equipment manufacturing conglomerates in China, possessing four main businesses with regard to high efficiency & clean energy, new energy, industrial equipment, and modern services. Its Products cover more than ten industries. In 2015 revenue amounted to RMB 78.0 bn (EUR 10.6 bn).
The group will pay more effort to the improvement of its competitiveness through the execution of following three major strategies: core business concentration, high technology innovation, global source integration. Meanwhile, the group is developing "Shanghai Electric" as a universal brand, so that it will have the fundamentals to develop the group into one of the largest and most competitive equipment manufacturers in the world with a top position in the China market. Shanghai Electric is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

*Shenhua* *Group Corporation Ltd.*

The Shenhua Group Corporation Ltd. was set up in October 1995 and is the largest and most modern coal enterprise in China and the largest coal supplier in the world. As a multinational company, the Shenhua Group is engaged in power generation, railway and port transportation, shipping, coal-to-liquid and coal chemicals with integrated production, transportation and sales operations.

In 2015, Shenhua Group is ranked 196th among the global Fortune 500. Headquartered in Beijing, China Shenhua Energy Company Ltd., created by Shenhua Group, is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange. By the end of 2015, Shenhua Group had 21 wholly owned subsidiaries, had invested in 54 coal mines and power plants and had a total installed electricity production capacity of 78.51 million kilowatts. The group's total assets were worth RMB 931.4 billion at the end of that year with a registered staff of 208,000.

In 2015, Shenhua Group actively adapted to the Chinese strategic focus on clean energy development and has made remarkable achievements in production and operation since then. * Investor Relations Contact*

cometis AG
Ulrich Wiehle / Claudius Krause
Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-28
Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66
E-mail: krause@cometis.deManz AG
Axel Bartmann
Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-395
Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99
E-mail: abartmann@manz.com

 

*Follow us on: *
--------------------

23.01.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------

Language: English
Company: Manz AG
Steigäckerstr. 5
72768 Reutlingen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 7121 9000-0
Fax: +49 (0) 7121 9000-99
E-mail: info@manz.com
Internet: http://www.manz.com
ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3
WKN: A0JQ5U
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange
 
End of News DGAP News Service Reported by EQS Group 49 minutes ago.

Brendan Venter joins Conor O'Shea at Italy

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Italy have secured in-demand Brendan Venter as defence coach until the 2019 World Cup. Reported by RTE.ie 30 minutes ago.

As refugees traverse France's Roya Valley, locals ask: Should we help them?

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Several residents of the region are facing charges for supplying aid to migrants who crossed over from Italy. They say they feel obligated to help, especially as the government does not. Reported by Christian Science Monitor 49 minutes ago.

Italy wants team to be feared

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Italy wants team to be feared Italy coach Conor O'Shea has set his side a series of goals from competitiveness in the Six Nations to instilling fear at the next World Cup as he seeks to continue their upward curve under his guidance Reported by SuperSport 8 seconds ago.

Libya Chaos: If Italy Fails To Lead, Watch Out For Russia (Again)

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Worldcrunch.com / LA STAMPA

-OpEd-
*TURIN* — The ongoing crisis in Libya poses the gravest threat to Italian national security of all the crises currently ravaging the globe. Halting migratory flows and maintaining energy security are important, but a far more fundamental...
** Reported by Worldcrunch 2 hours ago.

Mediterranean Migraine: Italy's Growing Refugee Problem

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Mediterranean Migraine: Italy's Growing Refugee Problem The large number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Italy continues unabated, with more coming now than in previous years. Many want to continue their journey to Germany. With Italian authorities badly overstrained, could this become Berlin's next problem? Reported by Spiegel 21 minutes ago.

World Cup Women's Giant Slalom Results

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SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE, Italy (AP) " Results on Tuesday in a women's World Cup giant slalom:1. Federica Brignone, Italy, 2 minutes, 10.05 seconds.2. Tessa Worley, France, 2:10.60.3. Marta Bassino, Italy, 2:10.62.4. Lara Gut,... Reported by New Zealand Herald 2 hours ago.

H2 mobility: McPhy Energy North America and its SimpleFuelTM team members declared winner of the $1 million H2 Refuel H-Prize Competition by the DOE

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Press release

H [2] mobility : McPhy Energy North America and its SimpleFuel ^TM team members declared winner of the $1 million H [2] Refuel H-Prize Competition by the DOE

SimpleFuel(TM), all-in-one, compact and innovative home-scale refueling appliance, can deliver 5 kg/day of hydrogen at 700 bar. This solution will broaden the hydrogen infrastructure options for fuel cell electric vehicles deployment.

Newton (Massachusetts), 24 January 2017 - McPhy Energy North America, the designer, manufacturer and integrator of hydrogen equipment for the energy and industrial sectors, is part of Team SimpleFuel(TM) which has been awarded the $1 million H [2] Refuel H-Prize by the by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE).

Launched by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) and the Hydrogen Education Foundation (HEF) in October 2014, the H [2]  Refuel H-Prize Competition challenged America's innovators to develop on-site, affordable small-scale hydrogen refueling system which can be used in homes, community centers, small businesses, or similar locations. Such solutions will aim to be an integral part of the continued deployment of hydrogen infrastructure across the U.S. to contribute to the widespread adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles.

Team SimpleFuel(TM) is a collaboration of McPhy Energy N.A. (McPhy Energy Group), IVYS Energy Solutions and PDC Machines. The SimpleFuel(TM) home-scale refueling appliance is a fully integrated hydrogen generation, compression, storage and dispensing system capable of delivering up to 5 kg/day of hydrogen to vehicles at pressures up to 700 bar using hydrogen produced via electrolysis. The design minimizes setback distances and reduces its physical footprint such that the installation opportunities are more widespread.

The prototype of SimpleFuel(TM) was designed and installed in July 2016. It was tested from September 2016 through December 2016 to evaluate its capabilities against a set of criteria defined by the H [2] Refuel H-Prize Competition.

" We are very proud to win the H [2] Refuel H-Prize Competition with our partners IVYS Energy Solutions and PDC Machines. This recognition by the industry experts and the U.S. Department of Energy of our alliance, validates our efforts in providing cost effective distributed on-site hydrogen generation solutions to the industry. SimpleFuel(TM) opening up major prospects for distributed infrastructure deployment in the U.S. " declared Prabhu K. Rao, CEO of McPhy Energy North America.

" SimpleFuel(TM) has great commercial potential in many industries and we look forward to commercializing this with our partners. As hydrogen is a key lever to address the challenge of energy transition, it will have a great contribution to the initial deployment of HRS infrastructure by offering the possibility to have all-in-one affordable refueling 700 bar solutions to trigger the hydrogen mobility booming market " , concluded Pascal Mauberger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McPhy Energy.

*About. McPhy Energy*

In the framework of the energy transition, and as a leading supplier of hydrogen production, storage and distribution equipment, McPhy Energy contributes to the deployment of clean hydrogen throughout the world.

Thanks to its wide range of products and services dedicated to the hydrogen energy, zero emission mobility and industrial hydrogen markets, McPhy Energy provides turnkey solutions to its clients. These solutions are tailored to our client applications: renewable energy surplus storage and monetization, fuel cell car refueling, raw material for industrial sites.

As a designer, manufacturer and integrator of hydrogen equipment since 2008, McPhy Energy has three development, engineering and production units based in Europe (France, Italy, Germany).

The company's international subsidiaries ensure a global sales coverage of McPhy's innovative hydrogen solutions.

McPhy Energy is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (Segment C, ISIN code: FR0011742329; ticker: MCPHY).

www.mcphy.com

       
       
 Follow us on          @McphyEnergy and 

*Press contact*
*McPhy Energy*
Calyptus
Marie-Anne Garigue
Tel: + 33 1 53 65 68 63
marie-anne.garigue@calyptus.net

H2 mobility: McPhy Energy North America and its SimpleFuelTM team memb
--------------------This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: McPhy Energy via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2073226 Reported by GlobeNewswire 2 hours ago.

Manhattan ESL Teacher Stole Thousands From Students In Green Card Scam

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Manhattan ESL Teacher Stole Thousands From Students In Green Card Scam A Manhattan teacher has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands from her foreign students after she promised to get them green cards in exchange for cash. Jenetta Ferguson, who teaches English as a Second Language, admitted that she asked students from Italy, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to hand over cash payments between $8,500 and $10,500 in exchange for permanent resident green cards. [ more › ] Reported by Gothamist 2 hours ago.

HIGHCO : Q4 2016 Gross Profit

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Paris, 24 January 2017 (6pm)

*HIGHCO SHOWS REMARKABLE GROWTH IN 2016: GROSS PROFIT UP 11.8% LFL*

*Very strong growth in 2016*

· Q4 2016 gross profit ^1 of €20.66 M, up 6.2% on a restated basis ^2 and 5.5% LFL ^3 .
· 2016 gross profit ^1 of €81.06 M, up 12.6% on a restated basis and 11.8% LFL.
· Strong growth surge for digital businesses: Q4 up 12.9% LFL, 2016 up 23.6% LFL.
· Substantial growth in France: Q4 up 11.3% LFL, 2016 up 15.7% LFL.
· Good annual performance in Belgium, despite an unfavourable comparative base in Q4 (growth of 21.6% in Q4 2015). Q4 down 6.8% LFL, 2016 up 3.6% LFL.

*Disposal and investment*

· Closing under way on the sale of the joint venture POS Media in Central Europe.
· Investment in another capital increase in Yuzu USA.

*Guidance confirmed for improved profitability in 2016*

· 2016 headline PBIT before performance share plans ^4 estimated of more than €14 M.
· Sharp rise estimated for 2016 headline operating margin before performance share plans ^4 (> or = 17.3%).

*Gross Profit (in € M)* * ^1* *2016* *2015*
* restated ^2* *2015*
* LFL ^3* *2016/2015* *
* *Change restated* * ^2* *2016 / 2015* *
* * LFL ^3 change *
Q1 ^2 19.51 16.99 17.05 +14.9% +14.4%
Q2 ^2 21.76 18.50 18.68 +17.6% +16.5%
Q3 19.13 17.01 17.18 +12.5% +11.4%
*Q4* *20.66* *19.47* *19.60* *+6.2%* *+5.5%*
*Annual total* *81.06* *71.97* *72.51* *+12.6%* *+11.8%*

^1 Data currently being audited.
^2 In application of IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, the businesses in the United Kingdom were classified and presented as discontinued operations as of the third quarter of 2016. For reasons of consistency, the data reported for 2015 and the first half of 2016 have been restated to account for the impact of the UK businesses. Net income and the loss on the sale of these businesses will be presented net of tax as a single item in the consolidated income statement under Net income from assets held for sale or discontinued operations.
^3 Like for like: Based on a comparable scope (i.e. including CapitalData over 11 months in 2015 and 2016) and at constant exchange rates (i.e. applying the average exchange rate over the period to data from the compared period).
^4 Headline PBIT before performance share plans: Profit before interest, tax and restructuring costs and before the cost of the new performance share plans. Headline operating margin before performance share plans: Headline PBIT before performance share plans/gross profit.

Didier Chabassieu, Chairman of the Management Board, stated, "I'm very proud of the work our teams have accomplished since 2013. It has made the strategy to digitise our offers and businesses pay off. Digital now represents 46.6% of the Group's gross profit and drove the Group's like-for-like growth to a historic level of 11.8% in 2016. This high growth has also brought a significant improvement in profitability. Moving forward with our strategy to refocus our International business on the digitisation of our solutions, we expect - following the disposal of our UK subsidiary in October 2016 - to wrap up the sale of our stake in POS Media in Central Europe by the end of the first quarter of 2017."

*STRONG GROWTH IN DIGITAL BUSINESSES IN 2016*

*With like-for-like growth of 12.9% in Q4 2016* , Digital has enabled the Group to maintain its strong quarterly growth. The share of digital business increased from 45.8% in Q4 2015 (restated for the United Kingdom) to 49.4% in Q4 2016. Offline businesses fell slightly over the quarter (down 0.9% like for like). As a result, the Group posted further business growth in Q4 2016, *up 6.2% on a restated basis and 5.5% like for like to €20.66 M* , for a 15th consecutive quarter of organic growth for HighCo.

*In 2016, digital businesses grew 23.6% on a like-for-like basis* , and the share of Digital increased from 41.7% at the end of 2015 (restated for the United Kingdom) to 46.6% at the end of 2016. *HighCo has therefore met its target of Digital businesses representing a share of more than 45% of the Group's total business in 2016* and remains on track to reach a share of 50% in 2017. Offline businesses showed like-for-like growth of 3.2% over the year. *The Group's gross profit totalled €81.06 M for 2016, up 12.6% on a restated basis and 11.8% like for like* , for a fourth consecutive year of organic growth for HighCo.

Revenue for 2016 amounted to €155.5 M.

*Driven by Digital, France posts robust growth for 2016*

*Up 11.3% like for like in Q4 2016, France continued its double-digit growth with gross profit of €14.67 M* , representing 71% of the Group's gross profit. This gain was again driven by Digital, which rose 19.6% like for like over the quarter, with the significant expansion of In-store businesses and the strong performance of fully digital Drive to Store businesses.

*In 2016, gross profit totalled €56.22 M in France, rising 15.7% like for like.* Digital businesses grew 28.9% like for like over the year, and their share in gross profit reached 55.4%.

*International: Strong performance in Belgium*

Despite a like-for-like drop of 6.8% in Q4 2016, due to the essentially unfavourable comparative base (growth of 21.6% in Q4 2015), gross profit in Benelux for this period totalled €5.77 M, representing 27.9% of the Group's gross profit. *With like-for-like growth of 3.6% and gross profit at €23.86 M, Benelux turned another positive performance in 2016* .
Businesses in Southern Europe (Spain and Italy) remain strongly positioned, with annual like-for-like growth of 9.5%, representing 1.2% of the Group's gross profit in 2016.

*DISPOSAL AND INVESTMENT*

*Planned sale of POS Media currently being finalised*

After announcing in October 2016 that it had sold MRM in the United Kingdom and entered into exclusive negotiations to sell POS Media, which operates in Central Europe, the Group states that this deal is still in progress. It expects to finalise the disposal by the end of the first quarter of 2017. As a reminder, the deal would involve selling all shares owned in the Dutch company POS Media BV, representing 47.55% of its share capital. The Group expects the impact of this sale on attributable net income for 2016 to be practically zero and a slightly positive impact on the figure for 2017.

*Yuzu USA: Increase in HighCo's stake from 20% to 33%*

HighCo announces that it has invested in another capital increase in Yuzu USA, an innovative French-American start-up specialised in targeting solutions. Yuzu's exchange platform offers shoppers high-quality, value-added deals that are targeted and adapted to their shopping habits. The capital increase, reserved exclusively for HighCo and the company ZTP (Mulliez family), has led to HighCo's additional investment in the share capital of Yuzu USA, now reaching a 32.9% stake. This deal brings the Group access to a team of experts specialised in distributing ultra-targeted, customer-segmented offers to shoppers while strengthening its expertise in targeting, following the acquisition of CapitalData in early 2016.

*CONFIRMATION OF IMPROVED PROFITABILITY FOR 2016*

Based on the 2016 year-end closing in progress, HighCo projects headline PBIT before performance share plans ^4 of more than €14 M, i.e.:

      - an increase of equal to or more than 25% based on reported 2015 headline PBIT of €11.15 M;

      - an increase of equal to or more than 30% based on restated 2015 headline PBIT ^2 of €10.71 M.

Estimated headline operating margin before performance share plans ^4 is expected to rise sharply to equal to or more than 250 bp, i.e. equal to or more than 17.3% (14.8% reported for 2015).

Estimated net cash ^5 , including working capital resources from the Data businesses, totalled more than €49 M at 31 December 2016 (€40.77 M at 31 December 2015).

The 2016 annual earnings will be released on 21 March after market close. A financial analysts' meeting is scheduled for 22 March at 2.30 p.m.

^5 Net cash: cash (asset) minus gross financial debt (liability).

* About HighCo *

* Since its creation, HighCo has placed innovation at the heart of its values, offering its clients - brands and retailers - Intelligent Marketing Solutions to influence shopper behaviour with the right deal, in the right place, at the right time and on the right channel. *
* Listed in compartment C of Euronext Paris and eligible for the "long-only" DSS, HighCo has more than 700 employees and since 2010 has been included in the Gaia Index, a selection of 70 responsible Small and Mid Caps. *

* Your contacts *

Cécile Collina-Hue                                              Géraldine Myoux
Deputy Managing Director                                    Press Relations
+33 1 77 75 65 06                                               +33 1 77 75 64 67
comfi@highco.com                                              g.myoux@highco.com

** *Upcoming events* **

Publications take place * after market close * .

2016 Annual Earnings: Tuesday, 21 March 2017
SFAF financial analysts meeting: Wednesday, 22 March 2017 at 2.30 pm (location TBC)
Q1 2017 Gross Profit: Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Q2 and H1 2017 Gross Profit: Wednesday, 19 July 2017
2017 Half-year Earnings: Wednesday, 30 August 2017
Conference call on 2017 half-year earnings: Thursday, 31 August 2017
Q3 and 9-month YTD 2017 Gross Profit: Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Q4 and FY 2017 Gross Profit: Wednesday, 24 January 2018

HighCo is a component stock of the indices CAC® Small (CACS), CAC® Mid&Small (CACMS) and CAC® All-Tradable (CACT).
ISIN: FR0000054231
Reuters: HIGH.PA
Bloomberg: HCO FP
For further financial information and press releases, go to www.highco.com

This English translation is for the convenience of English-speaking readers. Consequently, the translation may not be relied upon to sustain any legal claim, nor should it be used as the basis of any legal opinion. HighCo expressly disclaims all liability for any inaccuracy herein.

Download the press release
--------------------This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: HIGHCO via GlobeNewswire

HUG#2073231 Reported by GlobeNewswire 2 hours ago.

Italian court to review voting law

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Italy’s Constitutional Court plays a regular part in Italian politics but the country’s new electoral law, or Italicum as its known, may give it a reduced role in… Reported by euronews 49 minutes ago.

Russia can miss 2018 Winter Paralympics

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Russian athletes could remain banned for next year's Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed. After a World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) report unearthed evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian sport, the IPC banned the country from competing at last year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Russia has since made efforts to get its house in order, but IPC president Philip Craven said he cannot guarantee the country will be allowed to compete in South Korea. "I don't know and I don't think many people do," he told the BBC, in comments published on Tuesday, when asked if Russian competitors would be allowed to return. I'm not looking for someone to say sorry, but let's get it fixed."

Whereas the International Olympic Committee allowed individual sports federations to decide whether or not to suspend Russian athletes from the Rio Games, the IPC opted for a blanket ban. Russian athletes will be absent from this week's IPC Para Alpine World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, where Craven was speaking, but he hopes they will return to the fold before long.

"Russia is a great sporting nation and without them being here, they are missed in a sporting sense," he said. "But we can't have nations competing when their performances have been tarnished by what's gone on before." 

ReportSportPTILondon

· World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
· International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
· International Olympic Committee (IOC)
· Russia
· 2018 Winter Paralympics

Tue, 24 Jan 2017-11:20pm
Date updated: 
Tuesday, 24 January 2017 - 11:20pm
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Injured skier among 6 killed in Italian helicopter crash A helicopter ferrying an injured skier off the slopes crashed Tuesday into a mountainside in central Italy, killing all six people aboard in the latest tragedy to hit a region slammed by recent earthquakes, heavy snowfall and an avalanche, officials said. Reported by canoe.ca 1 hour ago.

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