A close above 380 would see it through a "noisy" chart area - one can but hope :-)

FIRSTGROUP PLC

STATEMENT RE: FIRST TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS AND FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT RAIL
FRANCHISES

FirstGroup plc, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America,
welcomed today's announcement on rail refranchising by the Department for
Transport (DfT).

The First TransPennine Express franchise will be extended for over three years
to 1 April 2015, which will allow greater flexibility in the refranchising of
the future TransPennine Express and Northern franchises.

The Thameslink/Great Northern franchise, operated by First Capital Connect,
will be refranchised in 2012/13 with a replacement franchise to commence from
15 September 2013. This will help to facilitate the continued project delivery
of the Thameslink Programme, in particular the introduction of new rolling
stock, which will be completed after the expiry date of the existing franchise.

Commenting, Tim O'Toole, Group Chief Executive, said:

"We are delighted that the DfT has taken the decision to extend the First
TransPennine Express franchise to 1 April 2015. Since we started operating the
franchise in 2004 we have delivered a number of improvements including the
introduction of a GBP260m new train fleet and passenger numbers have grown from
13m to 24m per annum. We will continue to work closely with the DfT and our
stakeholders in the region to develop plans for the future of rail in the north
of England and to further develop the Anglo-Scottish services.

"At First Capital Connect we have worked closely with the DfT and Network Rail
to deliver the initial phase of the Thameslink Programme successfully. This is
a major investment that is already bringing benefits to passengers and will
transform a key part of London's transport network. Our unrivalled knowledge
and experience of managing this key project gives us a strong foundation to
continue to help deliver this programme in the future franchise."

Back on the list @310 - yield 6.92%

What a difference a weekend makes :-)

Just closed here 333.5 +23.

Trading Statement.

This is a good stock to be in IMO. Good capital and dividend growth propects.

Friday 30 September 2011

FIRSTGROUP PLC

Disposal of German bus business

FirstGroup today announces the disposal of its German bus operation for a gross
consideration of EUR5.5m. FirstGroup Deutschland GmbH, which operates
approximately 130 buses in the Rhineland Pfalz region of South West Germany,
has been sold to Marwyn European Transport plc ("MET"), a wholly owed
subsidiary of Marwyn Management Partners plc.

Commenting Tim O'Toole, Chief Executive, said: "The disposal of our small
German bus business marks a further step in our programme of small asset and
business disposals as part of our strategy to focus on our core operations in
the UK and North America."

FirstGroup plc half-yearly results to 30 September 2011

Ex-divi 4th Jan 2012 (7.62p)

Interim Management Statement.

INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

FirstGroup plc ("the Group") reports the following update on trading during the
third quarter from 1 October to 31 December 2011 ("the period"). The Group
provided an update on trading as part of its half-yearly financial results
announcement on 9 November 2011. Since then overall trading for the Group
during the third quarter of the current financial year has been in line with
management's expectations.

FGP chart looks terrible, look as if the company is trading badly which it is not. Yield is approaching 8%. If it can stay above 300p for the next 5 or 6 days especially during down FTSE days then I intend to buy some. Certainly following the principle of buying low (hope to sell high!).

Yes it looks like £3 gone today.

Yes, looks like 300p has gone. From the longer term chart 250 -260p appears like the next stop. Hope its a stage from where this can rebound. Will look again if this drops any more, tempting divi and reasonable financial performance. H

290 now looking at risk.

New 12 month low hit today @281.30p

have picked some up at 284 for the divi

No one likes a bottom picker :-)

I'm keen to buy these again, but can't quite press the button atm.

Just had a small spread bet @283.21.

Am I missing something here? Within a whisper of the 12 month low again today - yield 7.83%

Transport company FirstGroup announced the £14 million sale of a London bus depot and operations yesterday to rival Go-Ahead Group.

The sale of the Northumberland Park depot in north-east London, with 130 vehicles on 13 routes and 400 employees, is part of the Aberdeen-based group’s announced strategy to sell assets it no longer regards as core.