UPDATE 1-Melexis increases guidance after Q2 beats hopes

BRUSSELS, July 29 (Reuters) – Belgium’s Melexis (MLXS.BR) said it now expects sales to increase by 60 percent for the full-year as it sees increased demand for its microchips, which make cars more environmentally friendly.

The company, which designs and tests chips, said it had experienced its highest ever quarterly sales and its market had yet to reach its peak.

“Ramping up production output so much faster than anticipated was a substantial challenge,” Chief Executive Francoise Chombar said in a statement on Thursday.

Melexis said net income for the second quarter was 12.1 million euros ($15.75 million), beating 8.50 million expected by four analysts polled by Reuters.

It said revenue for the quarter was 55.8 million euros, beating 49.6 million expected in the poll.

When it announced its first quarter results in April it forecast that revenues would rise by over a third. [ID:nLDE63K13Z] (Reporting by Ben Deighton; Editing by Mike Nesbit) ($1=.7684 euro)

Rakuten Completes Acquisition of Buy.com

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., July 23 /PRNewswire/ — Buy.com, The Internet Superstore™, today announced that Rakuten, Inc., Japan’s leading Internet company, has closed an all-cash sales transaction to acquire Buy.com, effective July 1, 2010.

Buy.com will continue its mission of being a destination site that stands for the best of online shopping as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten, and will remain headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Rakuten will retain Buy.com’s executive management team and staff.

About Buy.com

With more than 14 million customers, Buy.com is a leading retail marketplace, focused on providing its customers with a great shopping experience and a broad selection of retail goods at everyday low prices. Buy.com offers millions of products in a range of categories, including consumer electronics, computer hardware and software, cell phones, books, music, DVDs, games, toys, bags, fragrance, home and outdoor, baby, jewelry, shoes, apparel and sporting goods. Founded in June 1997, Buy.com is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Buy.com® and The Internet Superstore™ are trademarks of Buy.com Inc.

About Rakuten

In Japan, Rakuten has approximately 64 million registered members and sales in 2009 totaled US$3.2 billion. Its core business “Rakuten Ichiba” is Japan’s largest Internet shopping mall and offers more than 50 million products by over 33,000 merchants, some of whom have turnover of more than US$1 million per month. In addition to its Internet shopping mall, Rakuten, which has more than 6,000 employees, is engaged in other Internet businesses such as travel agency and financial services.

Elan Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2010 Financial Results

DUBLIN–(Business Wire)–
Elan Corporation, plc today reported its second quarter and first half 2010
financial results.

Elan CEO Kelly Martin commented, “Our second quarter results demonstrate
continued progress across our major areas of focus. Tysabri growth increased in
terms of net patient additions; our BioNeurology pipeline advanced, including
completion of the ELND005 Phase 2 trial and full enrollment of the STRATIFY 1
trial studying the JC virus assay; we also saw recently launched EDT licensed
products continue to grow in terms of revenue and market share for our
licensees.”

Commenting on the results, Elan executive vice president and chief financial
officer, Shane Cooke said that the Company was very pleased with the operating
performance in the first half of the year. Revenues grew by 10% which, coupled
with a decrease of 14% in operating expenses, resulted in a six-fold increase in
Adjusted EBITDA to $82.4 million. Revenue growth continued to be driven by a 22%
increase in revenues from Tysabri as well as the launch of Ampyra earlier in the
year. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was impacted by reduced revenues
from a number of older legacy products, but this was more than offset by the
growth in Tysabri and a 14% reduction in operating expenses. Mr. Cooke confirmed
that for the full-year 2010, Elan remains on target to record revenue growth,
Adjusted EBITDA of more than $150 million and operating profits before other
charges or gains. He noted also that the Company generated almost $50 million in
cash from operations in the first half of the year, including $23.7 million
generated in the second quarter, and was on track to be cash flow positive
before other charges for the full-year. Mr. Cooke added that the $215.1 million
net loss for the first half of the year included a $206.3 million settlement
reserve charge in relation to the previously announced agreement in principle
with the U.S. Attorney`s Office in relation to Zonegran.

Unaudited Consolidated U.S. GAAP Income Statement Data

Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Revenue (see page 9)
270.6 264.5 Product revenue 513.5 570.3
10.3 4.4 Contract revenue 12.5 9.1
280.9 268.9 Total revenue 526.0 579.4
139.4 141.6 Cost of goods sold 268.2 287.1
141.5 127.3 Gross margin 257.8 292.3

Operating Expenses (see page 14)
69.1 63.8 Selling, general and administrative 140.1 127.8
80.9 65.5 Research and development 161.4 130.3
– 206.3 Settlement reserve charge (see page 16) – 206.3
8.0 1.6 Other net charges (see page 16) 27.6 5.1
158.0 337.2 Total operating expenses 329.1 469.5
(16.5 ) (209.9 ) Operating loss (71.3 ) (177.2 )

Net Interest and Investment Gains and Losses
35.8 26.4 Net interest expense 69.6 54.6
– (8.4 ) Net investment gains – (13.9 )
35.8 18.0 Net interest and investment gains 69.6 40.7

(52.3 ) (227.9 ) Net loss before tax (140.9 ) (217.9 )
15.9 (14.8 ) Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 29.9 (2.8 )
(68.2 ) (213.1 ) Net loss (170.8 ) (215.1 )

(0.14 ) (0.36 ) Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share (0.36 ) (0.37 )
475.9 584.8 Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (in millions) 475.7 584.6

Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Information – EBITDA

Three Months Ended Non-GAAP Financial Information Six Months Ended
June 30 Reconciliation Schedule June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m

(68.2 ) (213.1 ) Net loss (170.8 ) (215.1 )
35.8 26.4 Net interest expense 69.6 54.6
15.9 (14.8 ) Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 29.9 (2.8 )
19.1 15.7 Depreciation and amortization 38.2 31.5
(0.3 ) (0.3 ) Amortized fees (0.4 ) (0.4 )
2.3 (186.1 ) EBITDA (33.5 ) (132.2 )

Three Months Ended Non-GAAP Financial Information Six Months Ended
June 30 Reconciliation Schedule June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
2.3 (186.1 ) EBITDA (33.5 ) (132.2 )
8.8 7.6 Share-based compensation 19.0 17.1
– 206.3 Settlement reserve charge – 206.3
8.0 1.6 Other net charges 27.6 5.1
– (8.4 ) Net investment gains – (13.9 )
19.1 21.0 Adjusted EBITDA 13.1 82.4

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented on a U.S. GAAP
basis, Elan provides readers with EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
Depreciation and Amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP measures of
operating results. EBITDA is defined as net loss plus or minus depreciation and
amortization of costs and revenues, provisions for income tax, tax benefit and
net interest expense. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA plus or minus
share-based compensation, settlement reserve charge, other net charges, and net
investment gains. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not presented as, and should
not be considered alternative measures of, operating results or cash flows from
operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Elan`s management uses
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of Elan and its
business and these measures are among the factors considered as a basis for
Elan`s planning and forecasting for future periods. Elan believes EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA are measures of performance used by some investors, equity
analysts and others to make informed investment decisions. EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA are used as analytical indicators of income generated to service debt and
to fund capital expenditures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not give effect to
cash used for interest payments related to debt service requirements and do not
reflect funds available for investment in the business of Elan or for other
discretionary purposes. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by Elan and
presented in this press release, may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures reported by other companies. Reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA to net loss from continuing operations are set out in the tables above
titled, “Non-GAAP Financial Information Reconciliation Schedule.”

Unaudited Consolidated U.S. GAAP Balance Sheet Data

December 31 June 30

2009
2010

US$m
US$m
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 836.5(1) 883.2 (1)(2)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents – current 16.8 13.6
Investment securities – current 7.1 2.6
Deferred tax assets – current 23.9 32.5
Other current assets 274.9 239.0
Total current assets 1,159.2 1,170.9

Non-Current Assets
Intangible assets, net 417.4 389.7
Property, plant and equipment, net 292.8 297.9
Equity method investment 235.0 235.0
Investment securities – non-current 8.7 9.1
Deferred tax assets – non-current 174.8 166.7
Restricted cash and cash equivalents – non-current 14.9 14.9
Other assets 42.9 50.6
Total Assets 2,345.7 2,334.8

Liabilities and Shareholders` Equity
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities 311.5 304.4
Settlement reserve – 206.3
Long-term debt 1,540.0 1,540.0
Shareholders` equity (see page 17) 494.2 284.1
Total Liabilities and Shareholders` Equity 2,345.7 2,334.8

(1) Under the terms of our debt covenants, we are required to either reinvest $235.0 million of the proceeds received from the September 17, 2009 transaction with Johnson & Johnson within twelve months of that date, or if not reinvested, make a pro-rata offer to repurchase a portion of our debt at par. As of June 30, 2010, $192.0 million of the $235.0 million proceeds has not been reinvested.

(2) As of July 16, 2010, $203.5 million of cash has been placed in an escrow account in relation to the Zonegran settlement.

Unaudited Consolidated U.S. GAAP Cash Flow Data
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m

19.1 21.0 Adjusted EBITDA 13.1 82.4
(39.0 ) (17.6 ) Net interest and tax (75.6 ) (52.2 )
– (206.3 ) Settlement reserve charge – (206.3 )
(8.0 ) (3.3 ) Other net charges (9.7 ) (5.3 )
(45.1 ) 229.9 Working capital decrease/(increase) (27.1 ) 227.5
(73.0 ) 23.7 Cash flows from operating activities (99.3 ) 46.1

(7.9 ) (14.9 ) Net purchases of tangible and intangible assets (76.7 ) (23.8 )
2.7 9.3 Net proceeds from sale of investments 10.3 16.0
3.0 (5.8 ) Cash flows from financing activities 5.2 0.5
– 4.7 Net proceeds on disposal of Prialt business – 4.7
3.4 3.2 Restricted cash and cash equivalents movement 3.6 3.2
(71.8 ) 20.2 Net cash movement (156.9 ) 46.7
290.2 863.0 Beginning cash balance 375.3 836.5
218.4 883.2 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 218.4 883.2

Overview

Operating Results

First Half of 2010

Total revenue for the first half of 2010 increased by 10% to $579.4 million from
$526.0 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in revenue was driven
by the growth of Tysabri®, which more than offsets the expected decline in
revenues from Azactam®. Elan ceased distributing Azactam as of March 31, 2010
and will not earn any future revenues from this product. Elan`s recorded sales
of Tysabri increased 22% to $406.2 million for the first half of 2010 from
$332.4 million for the first half of 2009. This increase in revenues is
consistent with the 22% growth in global in-market net sales of Tysabri to
$589.4 million in the first half of 2010 from $481.3 million in the first half
of 2009 and the 22% increase in patients on therapy worldwide to approximately
52,700 patients at the end of June 2010 from approximately 43,300 at the end of
June 2009.

For the first half of 2010, Adjusted EBITDA increased six-fold to $82.4 million
from $13.1 million for the same period in 2009. The increase principally
reflects the 10% increase in revenue, improved operating margins and a 14%
reduction in combined selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and research
and development (R&D) expenses.

In assessing the first half performance, it is important to note that these
results were achieved against a background where we have, as expected, seen
reduced revenues from a number of products including Azactam and Prialt® in the
BioNeurology business and Skelaxin® and Tricor® in the Elan Drug Technologies
(EDT) business, as well as an increased investment in development activities
related particularly to Tysabri, ELND005 and the EDT business. The loss of
contribution from this decrease in revenue and the increased investment in our
growth drivers was more than compensated for by the continued growth of Tysabri,
the launch of AmpyraTM, reduced SG&A costs and the transfer of the Alzheimer`s
Immunotherapy Program (AIP) to Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy (Janssen AI).
This transition was particularly pronounced in the second quarter of 2010 with
revenues from these products $34.1 million lower than the same period last year.
Despite the loss of approximately $25 million in Adjusted EBITDA associated with
these revenues, and with very little revenue included this quarter related to
Ampyra, we reported 4% lower total revenues and increased Adjusted EBITDA in the
second quarter of 2010 due to increased revenue from Tysabri and good cost
control.

Cash flows generated from operating activities were $46.1 million in the first
half of 2010, compared to cash used by operating activities of $99.3 million in
the first half of 2009. This improvement was due to the improved operating
performance and a reduction in working capital requirements.

The net loss of $215.1 million for the first half of 2010 includes a settlement
reserve charge of $206.3 million in respect of an agreement in principle reached
with the U.S. Attorney`s Office for the District of Massachusetts with respect
to the previously disclosed U.S. Department of Justice`s investigation of sales
and marketing practices for Zonegran® (zonisamide), which Elan divested in 2004.

For the first half of 2010, net loss before tax, excluding the settlement
reserve charge and other net charges was $6.5 million, compared to a net loss
before tax and excluding other net charges of $113.3 million for the same period
of 2009. This improvement was due to the improved operating performance, lower
net interest expense, and net investment gains in the first half of 2010.

Quarter 2, 2010

Total revenue for the second quarter of 2010 decreased by 4% to $268.9 million
from $280.9 million for the same period in 2009. Revenue from the BioNeurology
business grew by 5% while revenue from the EDT business decreased by 29%. The
increase in revenues from the BioNeurology business was driven by Tysabri, which
more than offset the expected reduced revenues from Azactam and Prialt. Elan`s
recorded sales of Tysabri increased 19% to $207.4 million for the second quarter
of 2010, from $173.7 million for the second quarter of 2009, consistent with the
17% growth in global in-market net sales of Tysabri to $297.5 million in the
second quarter of 2010 from $253.8 million in the second quarter of 2009. The
solid patient demand for Tysabri is also reflected in the growth of net patient
additions with 2,400 added during the second quarter of 2010, compared to 1,900
added during the first quarter of 2010.

As expected, revenue from the EDT business declined by 4% in the first half of
2010 due principally to lower revenues from Tricor and Skelaxin, which were
offset by revenues associated with the launch of Ampyra. The decrease in the
second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009 was more
pronounced than the half-year decrease primarily due to the timing of Ampyra
revenues, which are recorded based on when the product is shipped to Acorda
Therapeutics, Inc. (Acorda). Consequently, of the $20.8 million in revenues from
Ampyra that were recorded in the first half of 2010, only $1.9 million were
recorded in the second quarter due to the timing of shipments.

For the second quarter of 2010, the gross margin decreased 10% to $127.3 million
from $141.5 million for the second quarter of 2009, reflecting the revenue
decrease and changes in product mix described above.

Operating loss before the settlement reserve charge and other net charges for
the second quarter of 2010 was $2.0 million, compared to an operating loss
before other net charges of $8.5 million for the same period of 2009. This
improved operating performance was driven by a 14% decrease in combined SG&A and
R&D expenses compared to the second quarter of 2009, offset by reduced revenues
as described above. SG&A expenses declined by 8% compared to the same period in
2009, while R&D costs decreased by 19%. The decrease in R&D costs is primarily
due to the cost savings as a result of the divestment of the AIP to a subsidiary
of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen AI) in September 2009. Under the terms of the
September 2009 transaction with Johnson & Johnson, Elan received a 49.9%
ownership interest in Janssen AI. R&D costs in the second quarter of 2009
included $29.1 million in relation to AIP.

The BioNeurology business recorded an operating loss, before the settlement
reserve charge and other net charges, of $5.0 million in the second quarter of
2010. This represents a $31.6 million improvement over the $36.6 million
operating loss before other net charges recorded by the BioNeurology business in
the second quarter of 2009, and reflects the continued growth in Tysabri
revenues offsetting the expected reduced revenues from Azactam and Prialt, in
addition to an 18% reduction in combined SG&A and R&D expenses. In the EDT
business, the operating income before other net charges decreased to $3.0
million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $28.1 million in the same
period in 2009, due principally to the decrease in revenues from Tricor and
Skelaxin.

For the second quarter of 2010, net loss before tax, excluding the settlement
reserve charge and other net charges was $20.0 million, compared to a net loss
before tax and excluding other net charges of $44.3 million for the same period
of 2009. This improvement was primarily due to the decrease in combined SG&A and
R&D expenses, lower net interest expense, and net investment gains in the second
quarter of 2010, offset by reduced revenues as described above.

For the second quarter of 2010, Elan reported Adjusted EBITDA of $21.0 million,
compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $19.1 million in the same period of 2009. The
improvement principally reflects improved operating margins and an 18% reduction
in operating expenses in the BioNeurology business, offset by the decrease in
revenues from the EDT business.

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, is presented in the table
titled, “Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Information – EBITDA,” included on page 3.
Included at Appendices I and II are further analyses of the results and Adjusted
EBITDA between the BioNeurology and EDT businesses.

Exploration of EDT separation

Elan continues to explore the possibility of a separation of its EDT business.
The Company’s review includes a detailed assessment of the possible separation,
including timing, market conditions and the impact on all of its key
constituencies. The Company expects to make a decision whether to proceed over
the next several months. No specific timetable has been set for completion of
the review and there can be no assurances that such a transaction will take
place.

Total Revenue

For the first half of 2010, total revenue increased by 10% to $579.4 million
from $526.0 million for the same period of 2009. Revenue from the BioNeurology
business increased by 15% while revenue from the EDT business decreased by 4%
for the half-year. For the second quarter of 2010, total revenue decreased by 4%
to $268.9 million from $280.9 million for the same period of 2009. Revenue from
the BioNeurology business increased by 5% while revenue from the EDT business
decreased by 29% for the quarter. Revenue is analyzed below between revenue from
the BioNeurology and EDT business units.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
202.0 212.9 Revenue from the BioNeurology business 387.4 447.0
78.9 56.0 Revenue from the EDT business 138.6 132.4
280.9 268.9 Total revenue 526.0 579.4

Revenue from the BioNeurology business

For the second quarter of 2010, revenue from the BioNeurology business increased
by 5% to $212.9 million from $202.0 million for the second quarter of 2009. The
increase was primarily driven by the growth in Tysabri sales, more than
offsetting the expected lower revenues from other BioNeurology products.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Product revenue
124.4 144.9 Tysabri – U.S. 240.4 280.1
49.3 62.5 Tysabri – Rest of world (ROW) 92.0 126.1
173.7 207.4 Total Tysabri 332.4 406.2
20.5 1.9 Azactam 37.7 27.4
4.6 1.6 Prialt 8.7 6.2
2.6 1.6 Maxipime® 7.6 5.4
0.6 0.4 Royalties 1.0 0.8
202.0 212.9 Total product revenue from BioNeurology business 387.4 446.0
– – Contract revenue – 1.0
202.0 212.9 Total revenue from BioNeurology business 387.4 447.0

Tysabri

Global in-market net sales of Tysabri can be analyzed as follows:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
124.4 144.9 United States 240.4 280.1
129.4 152.6 ROW 240.9 309.3
253.8 297.5 Total Tysabri in-market net sales 481.3 589.4

For the second quarter of 2010, Tysabri in-market net sales increased by 17% to
$297.5 million from $253.8 million for the same period of 2009. The increase
reflects solid patient demand across global markets. At the end of June 2010,
approximately 52,700 patients were on therapy worldwide, including approximately
26,200 commercial patients in the United States and approximately 26,000
commercial patients in the ROW, representing a 22% increase over the
approximately 43,300 patients who were on the therapy at the end of June 2009.
The second quarter of 2010 saw an increase in net patient additions to 2,400 for
this quarter, compared to 1,900 in the first quarter of 2010.

Tysabri was developed and is being marketed in collaboration with Biogen Idec,
Inc. (Biogen Idec). In general, subject to certain limitations imposed by the
parties, Elan shares with Biogen Idec most of the development and
commercialization costs for Tysabri. Biogen Idec is responsible for
manufacturing the product. In the United States, Elan purchases Tysabri from
Biogen Idec and is responsible for distribution. Consequently, Elan records as
revenue the net sales of Tysabri in the U.S. market. Elan purchases product from
Biogen Idec at a price that includes the cost of manufacturing, plus Biogen
Idec`s gross margin on Tysabri, and this cost, together with royalties payable
to other third parties, is included in cost of sales.

Outside of the United States, Biogen Idec is responsible for distribution and
Elan records as revenue its share of the profit or loss on these sales of
Tysabri, plus Elan`s directly-incurred expenses on these sales.

Tysabri – U.S.

In the U.S. market, Elan recorded net sales of $144.9 million for the second
quarter of 2010, an increase of 16% over net sales of $124.4 million in the same
period of 2009. Almost all of these sales are for the multiple sclerosis (MS)
indication.

At the end of June 2010, approximately 26,200 patients were on commercial
therapy, which represents an increase of 4% over the approximately 25,200 who
were on therapy at the end of March 2010 and 19% over the approximately 22,000
patients who were on therapy at the end of June last year.

Tysabri – ROW

In the ROW market, Biogen Idec is responsible for distribution and Elan records
as revenue its share of the profit or loss on ROW sales of Tysabri, plus Elan`s
directly-incurred expenses on these sales. As a result, in the ROW market, Elan
recorded net revenue of $62.5 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared
to $49.3 million for the second quarter of 2009, an increase of 27%. Elan`s net
Tysabri ROW revenue is calculated as follows:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
129.4 152.6 ROW in-market sales by Biogen Idec 240.9 309.3
(69.7) (70.3) ROW operating expenses incurred by the collaboration (128.6) (144.4)
59.7 82.3 ROW operating profit incurred by the collaboration 112.3 164.9
29.8 41.2 Elan`s 50% share of Tysabri ROW collaboration operating profit 56.1 82.5
19.5 21.3 Elan`s directly incurred costs 35.9 43.6
49.3 62.5 Net Tysabri ROW revenue 92.0 126.1

Tysabri ROW in-market sales for the second quarter of 2010 were $152.6 million
as compared to $129.4 million for the second quarter of 2009, an increase of
18%. As Tysabri ROW in-market sales are principally earned in the European
Union, second quarter in-market sales were negatively impacted by the
depreciation of the euro against the dollar. On a constant currency basis,
Tysabri ROW in-market sales for the second quarter of 2010 increased by $29.6
million, or 24%, compared to the second quarter of 2009.

At the end of June 2010, approximately 26,000 patients, principally in the
European Union, were on commercial therapy, an increase of 6% over the
approximately 24,600 (revised) who were on therapy at the end of March 2010 and
26% over the approximately 20,700 patients who were on therapy at the end of
June last year.

Other BioNeurology products

As expected, Azactam revenue decreased 91% to $1.9 million for the second
quarter of 2010, compared to $20.5 million for the same period of 2009. Elan
ceased distributing Azactam as of March 31, 2010 and will not earn any future
revenues from this product. The $1.9 million of revenue in the second quarter of
2010 relates to the timing of delivery of shipments in late March 2010.

On March 4, 2010, Elan entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Prialt
assets and rights to Azur Pharma International Limited and this transaction
subsequently closed on May 5, 2010. As a result, Prialt revenue decreased 65% to
$1.6 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $4.6 million for the
same period of 2009.

Revenue from the EDT business

For the first half of 2010, revenue from the EDT business decreased by 4% to
$132.4 million from $138.6 million for the same period of 2009. For the second
quarter of 2010, revenue from the EDT business decreased by 29% to $56.0 million
from $78.9 million for the second quarter of 2009.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
Product revenue
Manufacturing revenue and royalties
16.4 13.8 Tricor 30.0 25.0
– 1.9 Ampyra – 20.8
9.2 7.8 Focalin® XR / RitalinLA® 17.6 16.6
4.9 5.0 Verelan® 10.8 11.9
3.9 2.9 Naprelan® 5.9 7.8
10.3 0.4 Skelaxin 15.6 5.2
23.9 19.8 Other 46.2 37.0
68.6 51.6 Total manufacturing revenue and royalties 126.1 124.3

Contract revenue
10.3 4.4 Research revenue and milestones 12.5 8.1

78.9 56.0 Total revenue from the EDT business 138.6 132.4

Manufacturing revenue and royalties comprise revenue earned from products
manufactured for clients and royalties earned principally on sales by clients of
products that incorporate Elan`s technologies. Except as noted above, no other
product accounted for more than 10% of total manufacturing revenue and royalties
for the second quarter of 2010 or 2009.

In January 2010, the FDA approved Ampyra as a treatment to improve walking
ability in patients with MS; this was demonstrated by an improvement in walking
speed. The product was subsequently launched in the United States in March 2010.
Ampyra, which is globally licensed to Acorda, is marketed and distributed in the
United States by Acorda and will be marketed and distributed outside the United
States by Biogen Idec, Acorda`s sub-licensee, where it is called Fampridine
Prolonged Release (Fampridine-PR) tablets. EDT manufactures supplies of Ampyra
for the global market at its Athlone, Ireland facility, under a supply agreement
with Acorda.

Manufacturing and royalty revenue recorded for Ampyra in the six months ended
June 30, 2010 of $20.8 million principally reflects shipments to Acorda in the
first quarter of 2010 to satisfy Acorda`s initial stocking requirements for the
U.S. launch of the product as well as build-up of safety stock supply. As Elan
records revenue upon shipment of Ampyra to Acorda, this revenue was not
contingent upon ultimate sale of the shipped product by Acorda or its customers.
U.S. Ampyra revenues for the remainder of the year are expected to be based only
on ongoing restocking and supply needs.

Potential generic competitors have challenged the existing patent protection for
several of the products from which Elan earns manufacturing revenue and
royalties. Elan and its clients defend the parties` intellectual property rights
vigorously. However, if these challenges are successful, Elan`s manufacturing
revenue and royalties will be materially and adversely affected. As a result of
the approval and launch of generic forms of Skelaxin in April 2010, EDT`s
royalty revenues from this product have significantly declined.

Research revenue and milestones includes revenue earned from performing R&D
services on behalf of clients and technology licensing. Revenue in the second
quarter of 2009 included a license fee of $7.7 million from Acorda as a result
of Acorda entering into an agreement with Biogen Idec to develop and
commercialize Fampridine-PR in markets outside the United States.

Additional analyses of the results between the BioNeurology and EDT businesses
are set out in Appendices I and II. For the first half of 2010, Adjusted EBITDA
from the EDT business decreased to $46.5 million from $59.0 million for the same
period of 2009, reflecting the transition of this business away from some of the
older products to newer products, such as Ampyra and Invega Sustenna. For the
second quarter of 2010, Adjusted EBITDA from the EDT business decreased by $25.3
million to $13.0 million from $38.3 million for the same period of 2009. EDT
revenues, and their impact on Adjusted EBITDA, vary from quarter to quarter
based on a number of factors, including the timing of customer orders and
license fees earned, and contractual in-market sales hurdles for royalties.

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative

SG&A expenses decreased by 8% to $63.8 million for the second quarter of 2010
from $69.1 million for the same period of 2009. The decrease principally
reflects reduced sales and marketing costs and amortization expense related to
Prialt, along with continued cost control. SG&A expense for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 can be analyzed as follows:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
52.3 47.7 BioNeurology 105.8 95.6
8.3 8.6 EDT 16.2 16.8
4.1 2.9 Depreciation and amortization 8.2 6.1
4.4 4.6 Share-based compensation 9.9 9.3
69.1 63.8 Total 140.1 127.8

The SG&A expenses related to the Tysabri ROW sales are reflected in the Tysabri
ROW revenue as previously described on page 11.

Research and development

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
40.2 51.5 BioNeurology 80.8 103.2
11.6 14.0 EDT 23.6 27.1
29.1 – AIP 57.0 –
80.9 65.5 Total 161.4 130.3

For the second quarter of 2010, R&D expenses decreased to $65.5 million from
$80.9 million for the same period of 2009. The decrease primarily relates to the
cost savings as a result of the divestment of AIP in the third quarter of 2009.
Excluding AIP, R&D expenses increased by $13.7 million, principally reflecting
increased investment in R&D initiatives related to Tysabri and EDT.

The Phase 2 study of ELND005 has completed and the data is being analyzed.

A Phase 1b study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous ELND002 in
patients with relapsing forms of MS has been initiated.

In the second quarter of 2010, Elan and Biogen Idec completed enrollment of
1,000 patients in STRATIFY 1. This trial is designed to prospectively confirm
the percentage of the MS population that is positive for anti-JC Virus
antibodies and the false negative rate for this test.

On July 15, 2010 the Tysabri label was updated to include prior
immunosuppressant use as a risk factor for development of PML.

During the second quarter of 2010, Tysabri exceeded 100,000 patient years of
exposure.

Elan and Biogen-Idec continue enrolling the RESTORE clinical trial to examine
treatment interruption of Tysabri. This is a randomized, rater blinded trial in
patients who interrupt treatment with Tysabri with or without being treated with
other immunomodulatory drugs. The main purpose of the study is to find out the
following when participants stop taking Tysabri for 24 weeks: how quickly the
effects that Tysabri has on its target receptor return to normal, when MS
symptoms return and if other drugs for MS may help control MS symptoms during
the Tysabri interruption period. This study will also explore how quickly the
beneficial effects of Tysabri return after resuming Tysabri dosing.

Settlement reserve

On July 15, 2010, Elan announced that it had reached an agreement in principle
with the U.S. Attorney`s Office for the District of Massachusetts with respect
to the previously disclosed U.S. Department of Justice`s investigation of sales
and marketing practices for Zonegran, which Elan divested in 2004.

If the agreement in principle is finalized, Elan expects to pay $203.5 million
as part of a comprehensive settlement for all U.S. federal and related state
Medicaid claims and has placed $203.5 million into an escrow account to cover
the proposed settlement amount. The Company has established a reserve of $206.3
million for this expected settlement and related costs.

As part of this agreement in principle, Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a U.S.
subsidiary of Elan Corporation, plc, expects to plead guilty to a misdemeanor
violation of the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and to enter into a
Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.

While Elan expects to negotiate and enter into final settlement and Corporate
Integrity Agreements, there can be no assurance as to when or if any settlement
will be finalized or, if a settlement is finalized, what the final terms of the
settlement will be. Additionally, the proposed resolution of the Zonegran
investigation could give rise to other litigation by state government entities
or private parties.

Other net charges

Other net charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 were
as follows:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
2009 2010 2009 2010
US$m US$m US$m US$m
3.0 1.4 Severance and restructuring charges 25.2 3.5
– 0.2 Net loss on divestment of Prialt business – 1.6
– – Asset impairment charges 15.4 –
5.0 – In-process research and development 5.0 –
– – Legal settlement gain (18.0) –
8.0 1.6 Total 27.6 5.1

Other net charges for the three months ended June 30, 2010 included $1.4 million
of severance and restructuring charges principally associated with the
realignment of resources announced in 2009.

On March 4, 2010, Elan entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Prialt
assets and rights to Azur Pharma International Limited. This transaction
subsequently closed on May 5, 2010. Elan recorded a net loss of $1.6 million
arising from the Prialt divestment in the six months ended June 30, 2010.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009, other net charges of $8.0 million
consisted of an in-process research and development charge of $5.0 million in
respect of a license fee payable under a collaboration agreement with
PharmatrophiX and severance and restructuring charges of $3.0 million.

Net Interest and Investment Gains and Tax

The net interest expense for the second quarter of 2010 decreased to $26.4
million compared to $35.8 million in the second quarter of 2009, primarily due
to lower interest expense following the Johnson & Johnson and debt refinancing
transactions in the second half of 2009.

The net investment gains of $8.4 million in the second quarter of 2010 include a
gain of $7.9 million related to a recovery realized on a previously impaired
investment in auction rate securities, and a gain on disposal of investment
securities of $0.5 million.

The benefit from income taxes was $14.8 million in the second quarter of 2010,
compared to a provision of $15.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. The tax
benefit for the second quarter of 2010 reflects changes to U.S. net income, in
addition to one-off tax benefits, recorded during the quarter.

Movement in Shareholders` Equity

Three Months ended Six Months ended

June 30, 2010
June 30, 2010

US$m
US$m
500.1 Opening shareholders` equity 494.2
(213.1 ) Net loss for the period (215.1 )
7.5 Share based compensation 17.0
(6.7 ) Minimum pension liability (6.7 )
0.1 Issuance of share capital 0.9
(3.8 ) Other (6.2 )
284.1 Closing shareholders` equity 284.1

About Elan

Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) is a neuroscience-based biotechnology company
committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families by
dedicating itself to bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet
medical needs that continue to exist around the world. Elan shares trade on the
New York and Irish Stock Exchanges. For additional information about the
Company, please visit www.elan.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements about Elan`s financial
condition, results of operations, business prospects and products in research
and development that involve substantial risks and uncertainties.You can
identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as “anticipate”,
“estimate”, “project”, “target”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “believe”, “expect”
and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion
of future operating or financial performance or events.Among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or
projected herein are the following: the potential of Tysabri, which may be
severely constrained by increases in the incidence of serious adverse events
(including death) associated with Tysabri (in particular, by increases in the
incidence rate for cases of PML), or by competition from existing or new
therapies (in particular, oral therapiesfiled for U.S. and European approval),
and the potential for the successful development and commercialization of
additional products; Elan`s ability to maintain sufficient cash, liquid
resources, and investments and other assets capable of being monetized to meet
its liquidity requirements; the success of our research and development
activities, and research and development activities in which we retain an
interest, including, in particular, whether the Phase 3 clinical trials for
bapineuzumab are successful and the speed with which regulatory authorizations
and product launches may be achieved; our dependence on Johnson & Johnson and
Pfizer for the success of AIP; failure to comply with kickback and false claims
laws including in respect to past practices related to the marketing of Zonegran
which are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (we have reached an agreement in
principle to resolve this Zonegran matter which, if finalized, will require Elan
to pay a $203.5 million fine and to take other actions that could have a
material adverse effect on Elan); competitive developments affecting Elan`s
products; the ability to successfully market both new and existing products;
difficulties or delays in manufacturing and supply of Elan`s products; trade
buying patterns; the impact of generic and branded competition, whether
restrictive covenants in Elan`s debt obligations will adversely affect Elan; the
trend towards managed care and health care cost containment, including Medicare
and Medicaid; whether the proposed separation of EDT occurs and, if the
separation occurs, on what terms; legislation affecting pharmaceutical pricing
and reimbursement, both domestically and internationally; failure to comply with
Elan`s payment obligations under Medicaid and other governmental programs;
exposure to product liability and other types of lawsuits and legal defense
costs and the risks of adverse decisions or settlements related to product
liability, patent protection, securities class actions, governmental
investigations and other legal proceedings; Elan`s ability to protect its
patents and other intellectual property; claims and concerns that may arise
regarding the safety or efficacy of Elan`s products or product candidates;
interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; governmental laws
and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations, including tax
obligations; general changes in United States and International generally
accepted accounting principles; growth in costs and expenses; changes in product
mix, in particular we ceased distributing Azactam as of March 31, 2010 and we
will cease distributing Maxipime as of September 30, 2010; and the impact of
acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other
unusual items. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and
other matters can be found in Elan`s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2009, and in its Reports of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Elan assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.

Appendix I

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009 June 30, 2010
Bio- EDT Total Bio- EDT Total

Neurology
Neurology
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
Revenue
202.0 68.6 270.6 Product revenue 212.9 51.6 264.5
– 10.3 10.3 Contract revenue – 4.4 4.4
202.0 78.9 280.9 Total revenue 212.9 56.0 268.9
109.9 29.5 139.4 Cost of goods sold 112.6 29.0 141.6
92.1 49.4 141.5 Gross margin 100.3 27.0 127.3

Operating Expenses
59.4 9.7 69.1 Selling, general and administrative(1) 53.8 10.0 63.8
69.3 11.6 80.9 Research and development 51.5 14.0 65.5
– – – Settlement reserve charge 206.3 – 206.3
7.2 0.8 8.0 Other net charges 1.2 0.4 1.6
135.9 22.1 158.0 Total operating expenses 312.8 24.4 337.2
(43.8 ) 27.3 (16.5 ) Operating income/(loss) (212.5 ) 2.6 (209.9 )

10.5 8.6 19.1 Depreciation and amortization 7.7 8.0 15.7
– (0.3 ) (0.3 ) Amortized fees (0.1 ) (0.2 ) (0.3 )
6.9 1.9 8.8 Share-based compensation 5.4 2.2 7.6
– – – Settlement reserve charge 206.3 – 206.3
7.2 0.8 8.0 Other net charges 1.2 0.4 1.6
(19.2 ) 38.3 19.1 Adjusted EBITDA 8.0 13.0 21.0
(1) General and corporate costs have been allocated between the two segments.

Appendix II

Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009 June 30, 2010
Bio- EDT Total Bio- EDT Total

Neurology
Neurology
US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m
Revenue
387.4 126.1 513.5 Product revenue 446.0 124.3 570.3
– 12.5 12.5 Contract revenue 1.0 8.1 9.1
387.4 138.6 526.0 Total revenue 447.0 132.4 579.4
210.2 58.0 268.2 Cost of goods sold 227.3 59.8 287.1
177.2 80.6 257.8 Gross margin 219.7 72.6 292.3

Operating Expenses
121.3 18.8 140.1 Selling, general and administrative(1) 108.3 19.5 127.8
137.8 23.6 161.4 Research and development 103.2 27.1 130.3
– – – Settlement reserve charge 206.3 – 206.3
24.1 3.5 27.6 Other net charges 4.7 0.4 5.1
283.2 45.9 329.1 Total operating expenses 422.5 47.0 469.5
(106.0) 34.7 (71.3) Operating income/(loss) (202.8) 25.6 (177.2)

21.0 17.2 38.2 Depreciation and amortization 15.0 16.5 31.5
– (0.4) (0.4) Amortized fees (0.2) (0.2) (0.4)
15.0 4.0 19.0 Share-based compensation 12.9 4.2 17.1
– – – Settlement reserve charge 206.3 – 206.3
24.1 3.5 27.6 Other net charges 4.7 0.4 5.1
(45.9) 59.0 13.1 Adjusted EBITDA 35.9 46.5 82.4
(1) General and corporate costs have been allocated between the two segments.

Elan Corporation, plc
Investor Relations:
Chris Burns, 800-252-3526
David Marshall, 353-1-709-4444
or
Media Relations:
Mary Stutts, 650-794-4403
Paul McSharry, 353-1-663-3600

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Ryanair Q1 profit falls on ash, keeps FY forecast

July 20 (Reuters) – Irish airline Ryanair (RYA.I) posted a 24 percent drop in first-quarter profit due to disruptions caused by a volcanic ash cloud and maintained its forecast for full-year earnings growth.

Europe’s biggest low-cost carrier said on Tuesday its net profit for the three months to the end of June came in at 93.7 million euros ($122 million) after accounting for the 50 million euro cost of almost 10,000 flights cancelled in April and May.

Adjusted net profit rose 1 percent to 138.5 million euros and Ryanair maintained its forecast for full-year net profit to rise by between 10 to 15 percent to between 350 million and 375 million euros — a forecast which it last month said excluded the 50 million euro ash cloud charge. (Reporting by Andras Gergely; Editing by Mike Nesbit) ($1=.7706 euros)

UPDATE 1-Kent Reliance confirms in talks with J.C. Flowers

LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) – Kent Reliance Building Society (KRB_p.L) confirmed on Monday it was in talks with U.S. private equity firm J.C. Flowers and Co on creating a joint-venture to bolster its balance sheet while remaining a mutual organisation.

Kent Reliance said the new structure would allow for substantial new capital investment to support the 150-year old building society, which is owned by its members.

Sources told Reuters on Sunday that J.C. Flowers, which previously tried to buy Britain’s stricken bank Northern Rock, would combine a 50 million pound ($75 million) investment with the assets of the British building society in a new vehicle. [ID:nLDE66A0B1]

The building society would retain control with a 51 percent stake, sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

Kent Reliance, which is the only building society based in the south-east England county of the same name, made a pretax profit of 2.26 million pounds in 2009 and had assets of 2.26 billion pounds at year-end.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Kate Holton)

Alcon Independent Director Committee Announces Creation and Funding of Litigation Trust

HUENENBERG, Switzerland–(Business Wire)–
The Alcon Independent Director Committee (the “IDC”) announced today the
creation and funding of the Alcon Litigation Trust (the “Trust”), an irrevocable
trust established under New York law pursuant to a resolution of the Alcon board
of directors. The current members of the IDC are the initial trustees of the
Trust.

The Trust, which has been funded with $50 million, is intended to provide the
financial means to commence, defend or maintain litigation relating to any
transaction between Alcon and a majority shareholder, including the transaction
contemplated by the merger proposal announced by Novartis AG (“Novartis”) on
January 4, 2010. The Trust has been created to ensure the protection of the
interests of Alcon and its minority shareholders in connection with any such
transaction. For example, without the Trust, once Novartis becomes Alcon`s
majority shareholder, it could attempt to cause Alcon to withhold funds from the
IDC and thereby frustrate the IDC`s ability to effectively protect the minority
shareholders through a litigation strategy.

Thomas G. Plaskett, Chairman of the IDC, said, “Novartis` merger proposal is not
only grossly inadequate to the minority shareholders of Alcon, which include its
valuable employees, but also creates considerable legal uncertainty that could
very likely result in significant litigation costs and delays in achieving
merger synergies for both companies in the absence of a negotiated transaction.
Given Novartis` actions and statements to date, we unfortunately can ill-afford
to assume that Novartis will voluntarily honor the fair process contemplated by
Alcon`s organizational documents, Swiss law and established principles of good
corporate governance. Therefore, we felt that it is necessary to take this step
now to help ensure that the fair process is observed once Novartis completes the
acquisition of Nestlé`s stake in Alcon.”

The Trust`s property is held solely for the benefit of Alcon`s minority
shareholders and may only be expended to the extent determined by the trustees
to be in the best interests of Alcon and its minority shareholders. Of the $50
million comprising the Trust`s property, no more than $10 million may be used
for fees, expenses or liabilities that are not mandatory court costs such as the
advancement of judicial costs or the posting of a bond or other security by a
party seeking injunctive relief. As the principal purpose of any bond or other
security required by a court is to serve as compensation to an enjoined party in
the event that such party incurs losses as a result of any granted injunctive
relief that is ultimately overturned, the vast majority of the Trust`s property
will ultimately be either disbursed to Novartis or returned to Alcon upon
termination of the Trust.

The Trust will terminate, among other circumstances, if a majority of the group
comprising the trustees and the other non-conflicted members of the IDC as of
such time recommend a transaction between Alcon and Novartis in accordance with
the processes set forth in Alcon`s organizational documents. The Trust will also
terminate if a court of competent jurisdiction, in a final, non-appealable,
binding order or decision, holds either that the transaction contemplated by
Novartis` merger proposal is legal, valid and effective or that Novartis`
removal of the current IDC members from the Alcon Board of Directors is legal,
valid and effective.

Please refer to the complete trust agreement for all terms and conditions
governing the Trust, which the IDC has posted on its website:
www.transactioninfo.com/alcon. The IDC has also posted a series of questions and
answers about the Trust.

Greenhill & Co., Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Pestalozzi, Zurich, are continuing
to act as financial and legal advisors to the IDC.

About Alcon

Alcon, Inc. is the world`s leading eye care company, with sales of approximately
$6.5 billion in 2009. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry
for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals,
surgical equipment and devices, contacts lens solutions and other vision care
products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon
operates in 75 countries and sells products in 180 markets. For more information
on Alcon, Inc., visit the Company`s website at www.alcon.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This press release may contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements reflect
the views of the IDC as of the date of this press release with respect to future
events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties.
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Novartis or Alcon
will achieve any particular future financial results or future growth rates or
that Novartis or Alcon will be able to realize any potential synergies,
strategic benefits or opportunities as a result of the consummation of the
Novartis purchase or the proposed merger. Also, there can be no guarantee that
the IDC will obtain any particular result. Except to the extent required under
the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly
update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new
information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Media Inquiries:
Brunswick Group
Steve Lipin/Lauren Levin-Epstein, 212-333-3810
or
Investor Inquiries:
Mackenzie Partners
Bob Marese/Larry Dennedy, 800-322-2885

Copyright Business Wire 2010

REFILE-Taiwan’s Chimei sees TV panel shipments at 50 mln

(Refiles to correct company name, removes extraneous text)

Stocks

HSINCHU Taiwan, June 29 (Reuters) – Chimei Innolux Corp (3481.TW), Taiwan’s largest LCD maker, told shareholders on Tuesday it saw shipments of TV panels, notebook panels and LCD monitor panels this year at up to 50 million units each.

Chimei Innolux has said it sees capital spending this year for its 8.5 and 6th generation lines reaching at least T$40 billion ($1.25 billion). [ID:nTPU002261]. (US$1=T$32) (Reporting by Baker Li; Editing by Jonathan Standing and Jonathan Hopfner)

Morpol ASA: Received applications exceeding the minimum of 50 million shares

Oslo, 24 June 2010: Morpol ASA (“Morpol” or the “Company” – OSE: MORPOL),

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED
STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE
APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE
NOTICE.

The Company has been informed by the Joint Lead Managers that the book is exceeding the
minimum targeted offer size of 50 million shares. Consequently, the Book-building Period
for the Institutional Offering is expected to close on 25 June 2010 at 17:30 hours (CET)
and the Retail Application Period for the Retail Offering is expected to close on 25
June 2010 at 12:00 hours (CET) as originally planned.

For further information about the Global Offering, please refer to the Prospectus dated
15 June 2010.

About Morpol
The Morpol Group is engaged in salmon processing as well as sale and distribution of
finished salmon products. The Morpol Group’s main products are: cold and hot smoked
salmon, gravadlax, fresh salmon fillets, frozen salmonportions, organic salmon, wild
salmon and salmon specialties. The Morpol Group had revenue of approximately EUR 340
million in 2009.

Founded in 1996 in Ustka on the Baltic coast of Poland, the company employs over 3,000
people in eight countries. Morpol Group is the world leader in smoked salmon. The
company has achieved its world leading position through the efficiency of processing
activities, a constant focus on product quality and service provided to retail and food
service customers. Morpol serves customers across Europe, in Japan and the United States
by offering value for money.
www.morpol.com http://www.morpol.com/

For further information, please contact:

Steven Rafferty, Chief Financial Officer, phone +47 97 66 41 04

John-Paul McGinley, Chief Operating Officer, phone +48 507 030 019

Important Notice

The contents of this announcement have been prepared by and are the sole responsibility
of the Company. The Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners are acting exclusively for
the Company and no one else, and will not be responsible to anyone other than the
Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients, or for
advice in relation to the contemplated offering, the contents of this announcement or
any of the matters referred to herein.

The offering and the distribution of this announcement and other information in
connection with the offering may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions.The
Company assumes no responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of
such restrictions. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other
information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such
restrictions. This announcement may not be used for, or in connection with, and does not
constitute, any offer of securities for sale in the United States or in any other
jurisdiction. The offering will not be made in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances
in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly in or into any
jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation to such
person or where prior registration or approval is required for that purpose. No steps
have been taken or will be taken relating to the offering in any jurisdiction outside of
Norway in which such steps would be required. Neither the publication and/or delivery of
this announcement shall under any circumstances imply that there has been no change in
the affairs of the Company or that the information contained herein is correct as of any
date subsequent to the earlier of the date hereof and any earlier specified date with
respect to such information.

Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
exemption from registration. The offer shares offered in the offering have not been and
will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“US Securities Act”) or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other
jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United
States, except in transactions exempt from registration under the US Securities Act, or
in any other jurisdiction in which it would not be permissible to offer or sell such
offer shares. All offers and sales outside the United States will be made in reliance on
Regulation S under the US Securities Act.

This document does not constitute an offering circular or prospectus in connection with
an offering of securities of the Company. Investors must neither accept any offer for,
nor acquire, any securities to which this document refers, unless they do so on the
basis of the information contained in the prospectus to be published by the Company.
This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to
buy or subscribe for, any securities and cannot be relied on for any investment contract
or decision.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)

HUG#1426863

India Bharti starts hosted contact centre services

June 17 (Reuters) – Bharti Airtel (BRTI.BO) has partnered Cisco (CSCO.O) and Indian firm Servion to launch hosted contact centre services in India, the leading Indian mobile phone operator said on Thursday.

Technology | Telecommuncations Services

Hosted contact centre solutions offer access to technology without having to buy software licenses, hardware, helping cost savings for firms, Bharti said in a statement. It said the Indian market for these services was valued at $50 million. (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy)

iPhone 4 sets record sale pace despite gaffe

(Reuters) – Sales of Apple Inc’s latest iPhone blew away expectations in its first day on the market despite shortages and an embarrassing online ordering glitch that thwarted many shoppers.

Technology | Hot Stocks

Apple shares rose nearly 3 percent on Wednesday after it announced sales of more than 600,000 iPhone 4s, a record for just a single day of pre-orders. That put the device on track to surpass sales of its previous iPhone models as well as its iPad tablet computer, and sounded a strong challenge to rivals like Nokia Corp, which warned of weaker-than-expected sales at its phones unit.

But Apple apologized on Wednesday for having to halt sales temporarily after the surprising volume of online interest overloaded order and approval systems and supplies ran out.

Apple’s website said Wednesday afternoon that products ordered then would be shipped by July 14, three weeks after the phone’s scheduled June 24 launch in stores and slower than the July 2 shipment promised earlier in the day. The site was still slow on Wednesday, making it unclear if orders were going through.

The phone’s exclusive U.S. carrier AT&T Inc said it had halted pre-orders and that sales would resume as soon as inventory becomes available.

The Apple faithful appeared unconcerned. Analysts say the new iPhone would likely surpass sales of the last iPhone 3GS model, about 1 million units of which moved in its first three days. Helping drive that stellar performance will be an influx of new users jumping on the smartphone boom, as well as a two-year replacement cycle for existing iPhone fans.

The first round of carrier contracts signed for the first 3G-based iPhone — launched in 2008 — are due to end soon, JPMorgan analyst Mark Moskowitz said in a research note.

“It’s easy to forget how early we are in the adoption of this device,” said BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis, saying many had underestimated the size of the iPhone’s addressable market. “There’s only 50 million of them out there. 600,000 is still a drop in the bucket.”

One analyst said sales of the device could reach 10 million per quarter, once Apple can meet demand.

“At some point in the next three to four months they’ll catch up. That’s when they’ll start hitting the 10 million per quarter mark,” Hapoalim Securities analyst Kevin Hunt said.

“There is probably enough demand (to hit that number) in the third quarter but there’s probably not enough supply.”

Another analyst, Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros, said his eight million estimate for the quarter is probably conservative.

Some other analysts have raised concerns that Apple supply shortages — which caused a delay in the international launch of the iPad, for instance — would drive impatient buyers to rivals.

Apple and AT&T have incurred several recent technical and public relations embarrassments, including a security breach on the iPad that exposed email addresses of public figures, and an investigation into a missing iPhone prototype.

AT&T also said it received complaints that potential iPhone 4 customers were seeing other customers’ data on its website. It did not comment on this in Wednesday’s statement.

Apple unveiled the slimmer, $199 iPhone 4 last week, kicking off its fastest-ever global product roll-out to try to stay a step ahead of rivals like Google Inc in a red-hot smartphone market.

The device boasts a higher-quality screen and longer battery life, video chat via Wi-Fi, and a gyroscope sensor for improved gaming.

VERIZON ON THE HORIZON?

Shares of Apple, still hovering near a lifetime high, closed up 2.9 percent at $267.25 on Nasdaq. AT&T slipped 0.08 percent to $25.52 on the New York Stock Exchange.

AT&T said orders of the iPhone 4 were 10 times higher in their first day than for the iPhone 3GS on its launch day last year.

It said it chalked up more than 13 million visits to its website on Tuesday, including customers checking to see if they were eligible to upgrade to a new phone. It said eligibility checks were three times its previous record for a single day.

Hudson Square Research analyst Todd Rethemeier said the sales numbers were good news for AT&T, especially because of widespread expectations that bigger rival Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc, will soon be able to sell iPhones too.

“It means they’re locking up customers into new two-year contracts. Nobody knows when Verizon’s going to the iPhone, but there’s a lot of speculation this will happen.” he said. “Anything AT&T can do to lock up customers now is a good thing.”

Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar said the technical snafus were more of a black eye for AT&T than Apple, and reinforced his expectation for a Verizon iPhone late this year. He does not see the problems helping rivals who make phones powered by the Android software from Google.

“People who can’t get their phones today, they’re not going to go to Android. They’ll just come back tomorrow and try to buy the iPhone,” he said.

AT&T said the availability of its inventory would determine whether it could resume taking orders. Apple apologized to frustrated would-be buyers and asked them to “try again” online and in stores once the phone is in stock.

“We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again … once the iPhone 4 is in stock,” Apple said in a statement.

(Additional reporting by Alexei Oreskovic in San Francisco and Carolina Madrid in Los Angeles, Writing by Edwin Chan; Editing by Matthew Lewis, Gerald E. McCormick, Richard Chang, Gary Hill)

SonoSite Announces $50 Million Stock Repurchase Program

BOTHELL, Wash.–(Business Wire)–
SonoSite, Inc. (NASDAQ:SONO), the world leader and specialist in bedside and
point-of-care ultrasound, today announced a stock repurchase program under which
the company may purchase up to $50 million of its common stock over the next
twelve months. Since February 2010, SonoSite has repurchased a total of
approximately 3 million shares of its common stock through a modified “Dutch
Auction” tender offer at a total cost of $88.8 million.

SonoSite may repurchase its common stock from time to time, in amounts, at
prices and at such times as it deems appropriate, all subject to market
conditions and other considerations. SonoSite may make repurchases in the open
market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or
in structured share repurchase programs. The repurchases will be conducted in
compliance with the SEC`s Rule 10b-18 and applicable legal requirements and
shall be subject to market conditions and other factors. The company also
expects to establish Rule 10b5-1 trading plans from time to time to effect such
purchases when appropriate.

The program does not obligate SonoSite to acquire any particular amount of
common stock and the program may be modified or suspended at any time at the
company`s discretion. Any repurchases would be funded from available cash on
hand.

As of March 31, 2010, SonoSite had approximately $178 million in cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investment securities.

About SonoSite, Inc.

SonoSite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com), is the innovator and world leader in
hand-carried ultrasound and industry leader in impedance cardiography equipment.
Headquartered near Seattle, the company is represented by ten subsidiaries and a
global distribution network in over 100 countries. SonoSite`s small, lightweight
ultrasound systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical
spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point
of patient care.

Forward-Looking Information and the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release relating to SonoSite`s proposed stock
repurchase program, including, but not limited to, the timing and extent of any
stock repurchases, are “forward-looking statements” for the purposes of the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of our
management at the time the statements are made and are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are not
guaranties of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements
include: the risk of delays in effecting the repurchase, the risk of a
significant change in the price of SonoSite common stock, the risk of
unanticipated cash requirements or prolonged adverse conditions in the U.S. or
world economies or SonoSite’s industry, as well as other factors contained in
the Item 1A. “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not
to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as
to the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances
after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.

SonoSite, Inc.
Mike Schuh, 425-951-1224

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Vuvuzela inventor says it’s no sin to make a din

(Reuters) – When choosing a vuvuzela at the World Cup you put your money where your mouth is.

World | Sports

The ubiquitous plastic trumpet, embraced as an emblem of the World Cup by South Africans and visitors alike, sells for between 20 rand ($2.6) for a simple Chinese import to 60 rand for a more contoured instrument, produced in South Africa.

“Our vuvuzelas have the purest sound and they are the easiest to blow. A two-year-old could play it,” said Cape Town-based Neil van Schalkwyk, who developed the vuvuzela seven years ago and whose sales have grown from 500 a month to 50,000.

“Our vuvuzelas also have a much more comfortable mouth-piece. I think at the end of the World Cup we’ll see a lot of people with cut, sore lips,” he added.

Watching the horn sold everywhere from street corners to airport duty free shops and listening to the cacophony of vuvuzela blasts ringing out through the city, Van Schalkwyk, a plastics expert and mold maker, says he feels very proud.

With a background in toolmaking, the 37-year-old football fan watched people taking home-made tin horns to games in the 1990s and decided to try producing his own in plastic.

Van Schalkwyk initially named his horn the boogie-blaster, but fans dubbed it the vuvuzela — which means ‘pump’ or ‘lift up’ — and the fad was born.

Today the vuvuzela industry is worth 50 million rand ($6.45 million) in South Africa and Europe, he estimates. He declined to say how much he had made from his invention.

“The vuvuzela is a symbol of the way we can celebrate and how we would like the rest of the world to enjoy their celebrations as well.”

The fact it has been much copied does not irk him, he says.

“We were never under the illusion we’d have a monopoly on the product and we couldn’t patent the design. When we started out we were told a horn is a horn and it has been around for centuries!”

Horns have always played a part in South African culture, from the earliest kudu horns, traditionally used to announce a ceremony or a major event.

The latest version of the horn is made from three pieces of injection-molded plastic, and the mouthpiece has been modified to reduce the noise level by 20 decibels, a concession to those who have complained about the din generated by vuvuzelas.

“They have become so popular, it has surpassed my wildest expectations,” said Van Schalkwyk. (Additional reporting by Tony Pyle and Shafiek Tassei)

(Editing by Jon Bramley)

UPDATE 1-Wincanton profit falls 16 pct, eyes 2010/11 growth

LONDON, June 10 (Reuters) – British haulier Wincanton (WIN.L) posted a 16 percent fall in full-year profit, hit by lower client activity and the recession, but predicted a return to growth in 2011 as it benefits from the economic recovery.

The company, which transports goods such as food, documents and materials for recycling around the UK and mainland Europe, on Thursday reported an underlying pretax profit of 34.7 million pounds ($50 million) on revenues 7.6 percent lower at 2.18 billion for the year to the end-March.

Wincanton was expected to post an average pretax profit of 35.7 million pounds for the year, down from 41.3 million last year, according to a Thomson Reuters poll of five analysts.

“We remain cautious about the economic outlook but are nonetheless targeting an improvement in underlying performance next year and a return to growth,” Chief Executive Graeme McFaull said in a statement.

“Through next year and into the medium term, we expect Wincanton’s portfolio of activities in the UK & Ireland to benefit strongly from economic recovery.”

The company, whose biggest clients include drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK.L) and retailer Tesco Plc TSC.L, held the final dividend at 10.08 pence and said a restructuring of its German unit would enable its business in mainland Europe to grow in the coming year.

Shares in the company, which have risen 13 percent in the last three months, closed at 225 pence on Wednesday, valuing the business at around 260 million pounds.

(Reporting by Rhys Jones; editing by Paul Sandle)

Airlines body IATA demands unions quit picketing

(Reuters) – The global airline body slammed unions for walking off the job at a time when carriers are struggling to turn a profit, dealing with a toxic mixture of ballooning costs, airspace closures and a weak economic environment.

“Pilots and crew must come down to earth. Strikes at this time are short-sighted nonsense,” International Air Transport Association (IATA) Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani said in his opening address at the body’s annual meeting on Monday.

IATA said earlier on Monday it now expects the world’s airlines to post a $2.5 billion profit this year, an improvement of more than $5 billion from its March forecast.

But airlines in Europe will report a combined $2.8 billion loss this year, hit by fallout from a volcanic ash cloud that swept across Europe in April and shut airspace across large parts of the continent as well as labor strikes, it said.

“Labor needs to stop picketing and cooperate,” IATA’s Bisignani said.

Thousands of travelers have been stranded around the world this year as cabin crew and pilots walked off the job to push for higher wages or more job security.

British Airways (BAY.L) cabin crew on Saturday started a five-day strike — their latest in a series of walkouts since March — in a long-running dispute that has so far cost the London-based airline about 120 million pounds ($173.2 million).

German flagship carrier Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) lost almost 50 million euros ($59.7 million) when its pilots went on strike in February and took its union to court to stop the walkout.

Lufthansa Chief Executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber told Reuters on Sunday talks with the pilots were progressing but gave no indication of how close the parties were to an agreement.

BA CEO Willie Walsh, taunted by union leaders for going to Berlin for the meeting and not staying in London to negotiate, roundly criticized the Unite union that represents cabin staff.

“They failed in their efforts to ground BA and they will fail in any future efforts to do so,” Walsh told Reuters on the sidelines of a Oneworld airline alliance presentation, of which BA is a member.

Walsh said there was no point at which there would be an unacceptable trade-off between the savings from the cuts and the cost of the strikes, the cuts had to be implemented to preserve the airline’s future.

U.S. airlines have also been struggling to cut labor costs.

American Airlines owner AMR Corp (AMR.N) has long maintained that its labor costs are above industry average partly because it restructured outside of bankruptcy, while some rivals have used Chapter 11 protection to slash costs in recent years.

U.S. airlines have also been struggling to cut labor costs.

American Airlines owner AMR Corp (AMR.N) has long maintained that its labor costs were above industry average partly because it restructured without declaring bankruptcy, while some rivals were able to slash costs under Chapter 11 protection.

American Airlines Chief Executive Gerard Arpey told reporters on the sidelines of the IATA meeting his company had a staff cost disadvantage of $600 million a year compared to other major airlines.

($1=.6929 Pound)

($1=.8375 Euro)

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan, Ben Berkowitz and Adrian Murdoch; editing by Karen Foster)

Airlines body IATA demands unions quit picketing

BERLIN, June 7 (Reuters) – The global airline body slammed unions for walking off the job at a time when carriers are are struggling to turn a profit, dealing with a toxic mixture of ballooning costs, airspace closures and a weak economic environment.

“Pilots and crew must come down to earth. Strikes at this time are short-sighted nonsense,” International Air Transport Association (IATA) Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani said in his opening address at the body’s annual meeting on Monday.

IATA said earlier on Monday it now expects the world’s airlines to post a $2.5 billion profit this year, an improvement of more than $5 billion from its March forecast. [ID:LDE6560L6]

But airlines in Europe will report a combined $2.8 billion loss this year, hit by fallout from a volcanic ash cloud that swept across Europe in April and shut airspace across large parts of the continent as well as labour strikes, it said.

“Labour needs to stop picketing and cooperate,” IATA’s Bisignani said.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

For a graphic of travel stocks and oil prices click on:

here

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thousands of travellers have been stranded around the world this year as cabin crew and pilots walked off the job to push for higher wages or more job security.

British Airways (BAY.L) cabin crew on Saturday started a five-day strike — their latest in a series of walkouts since March — in a long-running dispute that has so far cost the London-based airline about 120 million pounds ($173.2 million). [ID:nLDE653210]

German flagship carrier Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) lost almost 50 million euros ($59.7 million) when its pilots went on strike in February and took its union to court to stop the walkout.

Lufthansa Chief Executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber told Reuters on Sunday talks with the pilots were progressing but gave no indication of how close the parties were to an agreement.

BA CEO Willie Walsh, taunted by union leaders for going to Berlin for the meeting and not staying in London to negotiate, roundly criticized the Unite union that represents cabin staff.

“They failed in their efforts to ground BA and they will fail in any future efforts to do so,” Walsh told Reuters on the sidelines of a Oneworld airline alliance presentation, of which BA is a member.

Walsh said there was no point at which there would be an unacceptable trade-off between the savings from the cuts and the cost of the strikes, the cuts had to be implemented to preserve the airline’s future.

U.S. airlines have also been struggling to cut labour costs.

American Airlines owner AMR Corp (AMR.N) has long maintained that its labour costs are above industry average partly because it restructured outside of bankruptcy, while some rivals have used Chapter 11 protection to slash costs in recent years.

U.S. airlines have also been struggling to cut labour costs.

American Airlines owner AMR Corp (AMR.N) has long maintained that its labour costs were above industry average partly because it restructured without declaring bankruptcy, while some rivals were able to slash costs under Chapter 11 protection.

American Airlines Chief Executive Gerard Arpey told reporters on the sidelines of the IATA meeting his company had a a staff cost disadvantage of $600 million a year compared to other major airlines. ($1=.6929 Pound) ($1=.8375 Euro) (Reporting by Maria Sheahan, Ben Berkowitz and Adrian Murdoch; editing by Karen Foster)

Elysium Expands Operations With Opening of Sales Center to Promote New Local Search Engine TheDirectory.com

TAMPA, FL, Jun 07 (MARKET WIRE) —
Elysium Internet, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: EYSM) today announced the expansion
of operations with the opening of its first ever sales center to promote
the new local search engine www.TheDirectory.com.

Elysium Founder Scott Gallagher commented, “We’re pleased to announce to
our stockholders that we have significantly expanded our business by
securing a new sales and operations center for TheDirectory.com in Tampa,
Florida. The new sales center will allow us to aggressively ramp up sales
of our recently launched local search engine www.TheDirectory.com. We’ll
be hiring at least 15 new sales related employees as well as some
operations and tech support staff members to facilitate the expansion.
The expansion should add several million in revenue to our top-line and
be immediately accretive to earnings leading to a profitable year.”

Gallagher continued, “I believe we are in the right place at exactly the
right time. Local Internet advertising is the fastest growing sector of
the multi-billion advertising market. The metrics are in our favor in a
huge way and we already own enough Internet real estate to maximize the
opportunity. Recent studies suggest as many as 97% of consumers use
online media before making an online or offline purchases. Yet less than
half of the small businesses in the US even have a website, let alone an
online advertising campaign. We plan to fill that void for small
businesses by leveraging the traffic of www.TheDirectory.com network as
well as our relationships with Google and other local players to increase
the ROI of our SMB Clients. We’ve secured partnerships with several local
Internet Companies that have received well over $50 Million in VC
Financing and are generating over $100 Million in annual sales, which
proves that local works. These relationships will allow us to increase
revenue immediately while we target our sales efforts on specific markets
based on our domain portfolio and internal revenue expectations.”

Elysium Internet, Inc.

Elysium Internet is an emerging leader in the
local advertising, search and publishing space. The Company is building a
direct navigation-based Internet advertising network anchored by its
local business search engine TheDirectory.com. Elysium builds targeted
professional directories over category killer Dot Com and Dot Net domain
names such as http://www.TheDirectory.com/, http://www.Podiatrists.com/,
http://www.Chiropractor.net/, http://www.Psychiatrists.com/,
http://www.Pediatricians.com/, and others. For more information visit the
Company web site http://www.ElysiumInternet.com/. Review the Company’s
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.SEC.gov

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking” statements (as
defined — Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Elysium
Internet, Inc. cautions that the statements made in this press release
constitute forward-looking statements and not guarantees of future
performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially
from projections in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at time the
statements are made.

Contact:

Media Inquires Contact:
Scott Gallagher
727-417-7807

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Hipcricket Unveils HIP 6.0-A Powerful New Cloud-Based Mobile Marketing and Advertising Platform

HIP 6.0 Empowers Brands and Media Properties to Extend Marketing Investments to
Mobile Through Tighter Integration with Enterprise Marketing Systems, Superior
Hyperlocal Targeting Capabilities and Enhanced Analytics
KIRKLAND, Wash.–(Business Wire)–
Hipcricket, the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company that empowers
brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers and drive sales and
loyalty, today unveiled HIP 6.0, the latest version of its cloud-based mobile
marketing and advertising platform. Key new features in HIP 6.0 include enhanced
analytics, tighter integration with industry-standard customer relationship
management (CRM) and marketing resource management (MRM) systems and new,
industry-leading hyperlocal targeting capabilities which enable brands to target
customers and prospects based on location.

Delivered as a software as a service (SaaS) platform, HIP 6.0 provides brands
and agencies with powerful capabilities to create national and local mobile
campaigns through SMS (including mobile coupons), Mobile Web, applications and
Interactive Voice Response (IVR). HIP 6.0 also provides access to the Hipcricket
Mobile Marketing and Advertising Network through display advertising and to
customers who have opted in to receive relevant marketing and advertising offers
via SMS. The Hipcricket network gives brands and agencies access to more than 50
million unique users across Hipcricket`s national footprint representing over
250 million impressions per month.

Beyond the benefits inherent in its simple yet powerful cloud-based delivery
model, HIP 6.0 includes the following new features:

* Enhanced Integration with Enterprise Marketing Systems for Superior
Cross-Channel Campaign Management: Hipcricket has created a comprehensive
library of application programming interfaces (APIs) so that HIP 6.0 can tie
directly to customers` CRM and MRM systems. When integrated, the business and
marketing information from HIP 6.0 flows into one marketing database, giving
non-technical managers a complete, 360-degree view of all of their customers and
campaigns across all channels while ensuring data integrity. Customers can also
integrate HIP 6.0 with large data warehouses to improve customer information
accuracy and streamline information flow.
* Industry-Leading Hyperlocal Targeting for New Sales: HIP 6.0 enables users to
create hyperlocal campaigns, based on GPS data or other gathered data as well as
declared information. For example, a customer who has opted in to share his GPS
data could be “detected” upon entering a store and offered an SMS coupon.
* Unmatched Flexibility of Engagement: On the creative/campaign execution side,
customers can work with a Hipcricket account executive to plan and execute their
campaign, or create a campaign themselves with the platform`s powerful
self-service capabilities. On the technical side, HIP 6.0`s SaaS delivery
provides a lower total cost-of-ownership without the need for expensive
infrastructure investments.
* Enhanced Analytics: HIP 6.0 includes Hipcricket`s industry-leading reporting
and analytics capabilities which enable businesses to comprehensively monitor
campaigns, analyze results and make campaign changes in real time for the best
possible results and return on investment.

“The HIP 6.0 platform represents an important release for Hipcricket; one that
mirrors our customers` desire to integrate mobile into their overall marketing
mix, rather than have it operate as a silo,” said Eric Harber, president and COO
at Hipcricket. “We listened to our customers, and built an easy-to-use mobile
marketing and advertising platform that tightly integrates with their existing
marketing to deliver results quickly, while empowering them to reach new mobile
subscribers and to better engage with their current ones.”

Hipcricket has conducted more than 65,000 mobile marketing campaigns for some of
the world`s biggest brands-including Macy`s, Nestle, KFC, HBO and Clear
Channel-as well as hundreds of radio and television stations nationwide.
Hipcricket equips clients with superior technology and services that enable them
to create mobile advertising and promotional campaigns in minutes.

About Hipcricket Inc.

Hipcricket Inc. is the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company that
empowers brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers, drive
loyalty and increase sales. Hipcricket`s customers connect with consumers across
every mobile channel, including SMS, mobile Web sites, permission-based
advertising networks and branded apps. Hipcricket`s proven technology and
experienced account management teams have provided measurable successes through
an industry-leading 65,000 campaigns for clients such as Macy`s, Nestle, KFC,
HBO and Clear Channel. The company has also created the first comprehensive
permission-based mobile ad network that taps into the buying power of the mass
market with industry-leading capabilities to target customers via location and
highly-specific demographic information.

Hipcricket is a privately held corporation based near Seattle, Washington, with
operations in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. More information can be
found at: www.hipcricket.com.

fama PR
Ed Harrison, 617-758-4144
Hipcricket@famapr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

The Impact of the U.S. Service Sector on Jobs

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, Jun 03 (MARKET WIRE) —
www.rothmanresearch.com – The economy in the United States has so far not
faltered on its track to recovery. It has gained momentum with positive
readings from the manufacturing sector, shown consolidation with
construction expenditures soaring to almost a 10 year high, and the
service sector has been surging for the last 17 months. With a pending
fundamental piece of data concerning the Institute for Supply
Management’s non-manufacturing index scheduled for release today,
financial experts are anticipating that the index will cap 55.6 in May,
higher than the readings for April 2010. Growth in the service sector is
a crucial step towards recovery as this sector makes about 70% of the
economy and is also a superlative indicator of the health of U.S.
employment as it accounts for close to 80% of U.S. jobs with the
exception of farm-workers.

www.rothmanresearch.com is a source for investors seeking free
information on the Personal Services industry; investors are encouraged
to sign up for free at

http://www.rothmanresearch.com/index.php?id=6&name=Register.

However, recovery does come with a cost for companies as they strive to
be competitive especially after the level of damage the recent recession
had on the U.S. economy. Cost cutting and restructuring to meet the new
challenges of a changing market environment was and is still common
practice throughout the different business spectrums. Western Union Co.
(NYSE: WU) which falls in the Personal Services industry is currently
restructuring its operations, and this will involve cutting 175 jobs
worldwide, closing and scaling back of facilities and migration of 550
jobs. Whilst restructuring charges is estimated at around $80 million
through 2011, the company is looking forward to save approximately $50
million at the end of 2011. Investors welcomed the news from Western
union as positive.

*Direct & free downloadable research report on Western Union Co. is
available by signing up now at

http://www.rothmanresearch.com/article/wu/23556/Jun-03-2010.html

Another player in the personal services space that has been catching
investors’ attention of late is Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE:
JTX) which has recently forecasted its 2010 revenue above the street
estimates. Jackson Hewitt anticipates its fiscal 2010 revenue to be in
the range of $211 to $214 million which beats industry projection of
$193.1 million for the year. The company has also started to cut about
15% of its work force expecting to save around $5 million pretax in 2011.

*Complimentary downloadable research on Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
is accessible upon registration at

http://www.rothmanresearch.com/article/jtx/23557/Jun-03-2010.html

Together with the Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing
index data, investors will be watching the much anticipated ADP National
Employment Report and initial jobless claims today. Friday for its part
will shed some light on the non-farm payrolls data and the U.S.
unemployment data. These economic health indicator reports are highly
valued by the investors’ community, and they will set the trading mood
for the next few days and weeks.

Companies looking for additional media or advertising services can call
Blue Chip IR at 1-917-267-8836

About Rothman Research
Rothman Research brings independent company and
sector research together, utilizing top financial advisors and investment
tactics to provide you with a clear picture of investment opportunities.

For More Information Contact:
Jack Benassi
info@rothmanresearch.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Tripura”s rural bank posts record Rs. 35.35 crore profit

Agartala, June 4 (ANI): The Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB), one of India”s 84 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), posted a net profit of Rs.35.35 crore in 2009-2010, the highest among RRBs in Tripura.

The bank has 111 branches across the state, which gives flexibility to its customer to open account in any branch.

“We are satisfied. So many people cannot come to Agartala to open an account, so they open an account in Jotanbari, so it is very helpful, we can come any time and open an account,” said Edison Uchoi an account holder.

The bank”s credit-deposit ratio is now 39 percent.

“We did a total business of 2850 crore rupees, in which there is a deposit of 2550 crore rupees and advance of 800 crore rupees and we have achieved a profit of Rs.35crore, 35 lakh in 2009-10. This is the highest amount of profit by any rural bank in the northeast or eastern India,” said D Mushahary, chairman, Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB).

He further claimed that TGB also attained a record in per branch business and per staff business with rupees 2,567 lakh and rupees 438 lakh respectively in fiscal 2009-10 and has targeted to achieve a net profit of rupees 500 lakh (50 million) in the current financial year.

The TGB has issued 1,500 biometric cards to disburse wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and pension under National Old Age Pension (NOAP) schemes.

Tripura is the second state after Andhra Pradesh to use biometric cards for payments under the NREGA and NOAP. (ANI)

Citycon Oyj: Citycon signs an additional EUR 50 million term loan

CITYCON OYJ Stock Exchange Release 2 June 2010 at 12.05 hrs

Citycon signs an additional EUR 50 million term loan

Citycon has today signed a EUR 50 million unsecured floating rate term loan facility
with Nordea Bank Finland Plc. The loan will mature in five years.

The new term loan will strengthen the company’s available liquidity and provides means
to finance Citycon’s growth with the help of long term financing. The proceeds from the
credit facility will be used to finance strategic investments such as shopping centre
redevelopment projects and refinancing of maturing debt. Citycon’s available committed
debt facilities total EUR 252 million taking into account this new loan meaning that the
company has sufficient liquidity to cover all authorised investments and debt maturities
for at least the next 12 months.

The credit margin is in line with the EUR 50 million loan signed on 31 May 2010.

Helsinki, 2 June 2010

CITYCON OYJ

Petri Olkinuora

CEO

For further information, please contact:

Eero Sihvonen, Executive Vice President, CFO

Tel +358 20 766 4459 or +358 50 557 9137

eero.sihvonen@citycon.fi

Distribution:

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki

Major media

www.citycon.com

HUG#1421006