ISEQ and Company Update, 04-Dec-2009

C & C Group PLC

• Agreed to acquire UK cider assets of Constellation Brands from about €50 million. The deal is expected to be immediately earnings accretive, and should be complete by mid January 2010.
• Source: www.candcgroupplc.com/dynamic/img/CC_Group_plc_acquires_Gaymer_Cider_for_45m.pdf

ARYZTA AG

• CEO Owen Killian said "In the first quarter of FY 2010, the business performed in line with expectations and the guidance provided at the time of the FY 2009 results in September."
• Food revenue declined by 8.4% in Q1 FY 2010. Food Europe revenue declined by 11.4% in the period, driven by extremely tough trading conditions in the UK and Ireland.
• At the period ended 31 July 2009, ARYZTA had net debt of €506m. This represented a conservative Net Debt : EBITDA ratio of 1.77 times.
• Source: hugin.info/142194/R/1357842/330440.pdf

Irish Life & Permanent

• Rumours that French insurance company AXA would launch a takeover bid.
• Source: www.rte.ie/business/2009/1203/ilp.html

Independent News & Media

• Company begins it's capital restructuring program.
• See: www.inmplc.com/investor-relations/news/shareholder-guide-issued/
• See: www.inmplc.com/investor-relations/news/total-voting-rights3/

Abbey PLC, Interim Statement for Six Months Ended 31 October 2009

• Profit before taxation of €3.6m, which compares with a loss of €5.39m for the corresponding period last year.
• Housebuilding division completed 222 sales (UK 170; Ireland 49; Czech Republic 3) with a turnover of €36.27m resulting in an operating profit of €2.54m.
• The company enjoyed good cash flow during the period and held €41.1m in cash and restricted cash together with €51.79m in UK and Irish government debt.
• Prospects for the group continue to be dull.
• Source: http://www.abbeyplc.com/financial/2009/Interim_31.10.09.pdf