It doesn't seem to be the "done thing" to discuss larger companies on these BB's but the news today that UBM is returning 300m to shareholders following its sale of NOP certainly warrants a mention. Are there any other holders out there?

UPDATE 1-UBM beats expectations, says 2012 started well
28 Feb 2012 - 07:31

(Adds details)

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Britain's UBM beat market expectations with a 13 percent rise in full-year earnings per share after an "outstanding" performance from its events division in the final quarter, and said it had made a good start to 2012.

The events organiser and publisher posted adjusted pretax profit of 177.4 million pounds ($281 million) on revenue of 972.3 million pounds for 2011, resulting in diluted adjusted earnings per share of 56.8 pence.

UBM, which has been reducing the size of its print portfolio to focus on key brands, said on Tuesday that 2012 had started well.

"We anticipate continued underlying growth and a positive performance across the business whilst recognising the continuing uncertainties of the global economy," the company said.

It said it expected underlying growth of between 4 percent and 5 percent in 2012, and its adjusted operating profit margin to exceed the 19.3 percent reported in 2010. The profit margin in 2011 was 20.8 percent.

UBM raised its full-year dividend to a record of 26.3 pence from 25.0 pence in 2010.

Analysts were expecting the group to report pretax profit of 161.6 million pounds on revenue of 968 million pounds, resulting in earnings per share of 54 pence, according to a Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S poll of 22 brokers.

($1 = 0.6313 British pounds)


(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Rhys Jones)

BRIEF-UBM buys tradeshows in emerging markets and aviation
28 Feb 2012 - 07:12

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - UBM PLC :

* Acquires four tradeshows

* Adds three events in emerging markets, one serving the aviation industry

((London Equities Newsroom; +44 20 7542 7717))

((For more news, please click here [UBM.L]))

BRIEF-UBM full-year earnings up, says 2012 started well
28 Feb 2012 - 07:13

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - UBM PLC :

* FY revenues up 9.3% to £972.3M

* Fully diluted adjusted EPS(d) up to a record of 56.8P, 6.6P (13.1%) up on

2010

* Full year dividend up to a record of 26.3P, (2010: 25.0P)

* 2012 trading has started well

* Anticipate continued underlying growth and positive performance whilst

recognising uncertainties of economy

((London Equities Newsroom; +44 20 7542 7717))