Compagnie Financière Tradition: Revenue in H1 2010: CHF 656.4m

Compagnie Financière Tradition / Revenue in H1 2010: CHF 656.4m processed and
transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.

Compagnie Financière Tradition reported consolidated revenue for the first half of 2010
at CHF 656.4m, compared with CHF 743.6m for the year-ago period, a decline of 11.7% at
current exchange rates or 9.8% at constant rates.

In the second quarter, consolidated revenue was CHF 336.8m, down 7.6% from the same
quarter last year, or 6.8% at constant exchange rates.

The level of activity was higher half on half, with consolidated revenue up 7.0% at
constant exchange rates.

The United Kingdom, and North and South America are still the Group’s main earnings
generators, accounting for 36.5% and 29.5% of revenue respectively, against 35.0% and
30.7% in 2009. Asia accounted for 24.1% of consolidated revenue and continental Europe
9.9%, compared with 22.8% and 11.5% respectively in the first half of 2009.

With a presence in 27 countries, Compagnie Financière Tradition SA is one of the world’s
leading interdealer brokers (IDB).The Group provides broking services for a complete
range of financial products (money market products, bonds, interest rate, currency and
credit derivatives, equities, equity derivatives, interest rate futures and index
futures) and non-financial products (energy and environmental products, and precious
metals).

Compagnie Financière Tradition (CFT) is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. You can find
out more about our Group on our website at www.traditiongroup.com.

Lausanne, 29 July 2010

Press contacts:

Compagnie Financière Tradition SA Rochat & Partners
Patrick Combes,CEO Philippe Dunant
Tel.: +41 21 343 52 78 Tel.: +41 22 718 37 42

HUG#1434633

Press release http://hugin.info/133362/R/1434633/380191.pdf

— End of Message —

Compagnie Financière Tradition
Langallerie 11 Lausanne Switzerland

WKN: 870121;ISIN: CH0014345117;
Listed: Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart,
Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin,
Open Market (Freiverkehr) in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse;

ACE Appoints David Furby Head of International Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance; Joseph Clabby Named Head of Insurance for Continental Europe

NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–
The ACE Group of insurance and reinsurance companies today announced the
appointment of David Furby as Division President, Commercial Property &
Casualty, for ACE`s Overseas General operations. Based in New York and reporting
to John Keogh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ACE Overseas General, Mr.
Furby will be responsible for the company`s commercial property and casualty
insurance business outside of North America, including property, casualty,
financial lines, energy and marine product lines, as well as for the reinsurance
ACE purchases for its international insurance operations.

In addition, subject to regulatory approval, Joseph Clabby, President of
Regional Operations for ACE USA, will succeed Mr. Furby as President of ACE
Continental Europe. Based in Paris and reporting to Andrew Kendrick, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, ACE European Group, Mr. Clabby will have
responsibility for the further profitable growth and development of ACE`s
insurance business in 18 countries across the continent of Europe.

“I would like to thank David Furby for having done a tremendous job in
Continental Europe,” said Mr. Keogh. “Under his leadership, David has helped
build our business on the Continent into one of the largest territories for ACE
in the world, with expansion into a number of new markets, including Russia, the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey. In his new role, David will
work with the leaders of our global P&C product lines and regional leaders to
further develop ACE`s P&C franchise outside North America.”

“Joe has achieved great success in developing ACE USA`s field operations in a
highly competitive and challenging market environment in recent years,” said Mr.
Kendrick. “This experience, combined with his background developing risk
solutions for clients from both the insurer and broker perspectives, will serve
him well as we continue to capitalize on the growth potential in many markets
and build the ACE franchise throughout the region.”

Prior to being named to his most recent role in 2005, Mr. Furby served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Tempest Re Group in Bermuda,
responsible for the company`s worldwide reinsurance business, while also
managing ACE`s own reinsurance coverage as Corporate Reinsurance Officer. Before
that, he was Director of Reinsurance for Syndicate 2488 at ACE Global Markets
from 1999 to 2002. He joined ACE in 1996 with ACE`s acquisition of the Ockham
Syndicate, and continued in a role he had held for several years as Treaty
Underwriter for Syndicate 219. He began his career as a broker for eight years
with Greig Fester.

Before leading ACE USA`s regional operations, Mr. Clabby was Financial
Institutions Practice Leader for ACE USA from 2004 to 2005. He joined ACE
Financial Solutions in 2001 and advanced to Senior Vice President, responsible
for the Finite and Structured Risk team. Prior to ACE, Mr. Clabby was a member
of senior management at Swiss Re New Markets from 1997 to 2001. For the previous
10 years, he held increasingly responsible positions with brokers Willis Corroon
and Alexander & Alexander, after beginning his career in financial analysis
roles with Chase Manhattan Bank and Fred S. James & Co.

Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in
insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE
Limited (NYSE:ACE), the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis
with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries and commercial and
individual customers in more than 170 countries. Additional information can be
found at: www.acegroup.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6355500〈=en

The ACE Group
Stephen Wasdick, 212-827-4444
stephen.wasdick@acegroup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

ACE Grows Environmental Risk Team

LONDON–(Business Wire)–
ACE International (ACE) has appointed Perrine Kalina to the new role of
Engineering Coordinator and Assistant Underwriter to its Environmental Risk
team.

Perrine will provide underwriting support to ACE`s environmental teams in the UK
and Ireland and Continental Europe. She will also support the underwriting teams
based in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Her role will include the coordination
of engineers and other third parties on multinational accounts on an
international basis. Perrine reports to Karl J Russek, Head of Environmental
Risk, ACE International.

Commenting on Perrine`s appointment, Karl J Russek said: “The creation of this
new role demonstrates ACE`s commitment to delivering a high quality professional
underwriting and support service to brokers and clients on an international
basis. We are responding to the increasing relevance of the environmental risk
insurance market for global businesses by investing in expertise and experience
and enhancing our products to meet their needs. ACE continues to provide real
leadership and innovation in this area. Perrine is a great asset both to ACE and
our clients.”

Perrine originally joined ACE in March 2008 as a Client Services Executive
working in ACE`s Major Risk Multinational Support Unit. Prior to joining ACE,
she worked for Marsh based in Paris providing supporting to French-owned
multinational companies. She graduated from the French national insurance
institute, the ENASS, in 2005.

Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in
insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE
Limited (NYSE:ACE), the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis
with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information
can be found at: www.acelimited.com

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6348870〈=en

Concise Public Relations
Alex Wise
+44 (0)20 7100 3960
alex@concisepr.com
or
ACE
Katie Weeks, ACE Communications Manager
+44 (0)207 173 7585
katie.weeks@acegroup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

UPDATE 1-Bunzl sales edge higher, eyes more acquisitions

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) – British distribution group Bunzl (BNZL.L) said acquisitions and growing revenues in North America had boosted trading in the first half of the year and that cost cuts and favourable exchange rates also made it more profitable.

Having announced five acquisitions so far this year with combined revenues of 85 million pounds ($132 million), the supplier of products ranging from carrier bags to builders’ hard hats, said takeovers remained key to its strategy.

“The company expects that the current environment will lead to more transactions being finalised during the remainder of the year,” the company said in a trading statement on Tuesday.

Bunzl said it had enjoyed revenue growth in North America during the first six months of the year, largely due to growing business with existing customers, and that acquisitions had ensured growth in continental Europe.

In the UK and Ireland sales were lower than a year earlier due to “persisting difficult economic conditions” but profits rose thanks to an improved operating margin.

“Overall trading is in line with full year expectations with group revenue growth of 2 percent,” the company said.

Shares in Bunzl were down 2.1 percent at 730.5 pence by 0706 GMT, underperforming its FTSE 100 peers.

($1=.6465 Pound)

(Reporting by Paul Hoskins; editing by Matthew Scuffham)

UPDATE 1-Ted Baker says well positioned as sales rise

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) – British designer brand Ted Baker (TBK.L) posted a sharp rise in revenue for the bulk of its first half and said it was well placed for more growth despite tough macro economic headwinds.

Ted Baker, which has operations in the UK, U.S., continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia, said on Tuesday revenue increased 18.0 percent in the 19 weeks to June 12 with gross margins in line with management expectations. The firm said retail sales rose 20.4 percent, with the UK performing well and overseas markets showing an improving trend, while wholesale sales increased 8.2 percent.

Ted Baker said its product and territorial licences continued to perform in line with internal hopes.

“Whilst we remain mindful of the uncertain economic environment, we believe we are well positioned to deal with the challenges ahead,” added the company.

Shares in Ted Baker, which have increased 36 percent over the last year, closed at 505 pence on Monday, valuing the business at 210 million pounds ($308 million).

(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Julie Crust)

Channel tunnel partly reopens after smoke alert

The Eurostar rail service was hit by severe delays on Saturday after a fire alert briefly forced the closure of the two tunnels that connect Britain and continental Europe, the company said.

The alarm was raised when smoke was seen as a train shuttle carrying lorries travelled through the south tunnel early on Saturday morning.

Both passenger and freight services were immediately suspended, but tunnel operator Eurotunnel swiftly gave the green light for the north tunnel to reopen while carrying out further checks in the south tunnel.

“There was an issue on a freight shuttle, a problem with the shuttle. Our services have now resumed albeit with significant delays,” a spokesman for Eurostar in Britain said.

A Eurotunnel spokeswoman said the lorry shuttle was still blocked in the tunnel but some 30 drivers had been safely evacuated.

“There was some light smoke. We hope that we can shortly remove this shuttle and resume service in the south tunnel,” she said.

(Reporting by Gerard Bon; editing by Crispian Balmer)

Ireland reopens airports despite ash threat

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) says it will allow flights to resume from all Irish airports but volcanic ash could bring more disruptions later in the week and periodically throughout the summer.

The IAA had closed airports for six hours on Tuesday due to a risk of ash ingestion in aircraft engines, although overflights of Ireland from Britain and continental Europe had not been banned.

“The situation will be reviewed as the week goes on,” the IAA said in a statement.

Continued northerly winds forecast for the coming days could bring more clouds of volcanic ash from an Icelandic eruption and disruption for passengers this week, it said.

“We could be faced with this periodically during the summer,” IAA chief executive Eamonn Brennan told public radio station RTE.

“We are probably facing a summer of uncertainty due to this ash cloud.”

Earlier on Tuesday former state airline Aer Lingus said last month’s closures lasting several days cut its earnings by about 20 million euros ($29 million), with the final bill dependent on the impact on passengers’ longer-term travel plans.

Iceland’s volcanic ash brings air traffic to halt in Europe

Civil aviation authorities closed air space and shut down airports in Britain, Scandinavia and other parts of northwestern Europe on Thursday as a high-altitude cloud of ash drifted south and east from an erupting volcano in Iceland.

The shutdown, among the most sweeping ever ordered in peacetime, forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and left airplanes stranded on the tarmac at some of the world’s busiest airports as the rolling cloud-made up of minute particles of silicate that can severely damage airplane engine-spread over Britain and toward continental Europe.

Matthew Watson, a specialist in the study of volcanic ash clouds from Bristol University in England, said the plume was “likely to end up over Belgium, Germany, the Lowlands”, and was unlikely to disperse for 24 hours.

British aviation officials said the country’s airspace would remain closed at least until 7 am on Friday, meaning that no flights other than authorised emergency flights would be permitted. All of the roughly 6,000 scheduled flights that use British airspace each day would be affected, aviation experts said.

Eurocontrol, the European air traffic agency, told news agencies in Brussels that disruptions in the region could continue for another 48 hours, and could extend into more countries. France said it was closing 24 of its airports.

The volcanic ash was reported to be drifting at 18,000 to 33,000 feet above the earth. At those altitudes, the cloud is directly in the way of commercial airliners, the England-based International Volcanic Health Hazard Network said on its website.

The impact on travel was likely to be among the most severe in many years, cutting trans-Atlantic links and severing air routes across northern Europe.

Major American carriers that fly to Britain were allowing their passengers to rebook flights without penalty on Thursday. United Airlines offered waivers on flights through Friday on its website.

In Terminal 4 at Heathrow, where flights leave London bound for Houston, New York and Paris, among many other destinations, all check-in counters were closed. Arrival and departure boards listed all flights as canceled. Airport staff in yellow slickers handed out fliers offering apologies and saying the closure was due to the “volcanic dust cloud from Iceland”.

In parts of Scandinavia, too, air travel came to a halt. In Norway, all flights to and from Oslo Airport were canceled as of 10 am local time, the airport said in a statement on its website. In Sweden, the aviation authority gradually closed its airspace during the day, though several airports, including Arlanda and Bromma airports in Stockholm, will remain open until 6 pm on Thursday, said Susanne Rundstrom, a spokeswoman for Swedavia, which operates the country’s 14 airports.

The Finnish aviation authority, Finavia, warned travelers to expect some flight delays and cancellations, though a spokeswoman said all of the country’s airports would remain open for now.

A spokesman for the Irish Aviation Authority said that “several sections” of Irish airspace, including Dublin, would be closed.

Although volcanic ash clouds sometimes limit pilots’ visibility, their most serious safety threat to aircraft is the harm they can cause to engines in flight. Volcanic ash is made primarily of silicates, or glass fibers, which, once ingested into a jet engine can melt, causing the engine to flame out and stall.

Jamie Oliver becomes animal rights protestors’ target in pork campaign

London, Mar 19 (ANI): Brit chef Jamie Oliver, 33, has become animals rights group Peta’s target after his flagship restaurant Fifteen promoted British pork.

In his television show investigating pig welfare standards, Oliver had urged people to buy British rather than cheaper pork produced abroad under poorer conditions.

“The answer to saving pigs is not to buy British pork, it’s to go vegetarian,” the Telegraph quoted Peta as arguing.

The celeb chef’s spokesman said that he was a “big supporter” of animal welfare, while his London restaurant ‘Fifteen’ served pork products from “the happiest pigs you can get”.

“They do seem to be protesting against somebody who is trying to help the situation,” he said.

“It’s a slightly odd place for them to be protesting but nonetheless they are welcome to do that. My main concern was that they would get cold.

“In the programme we never said that the British pig farming industry is completely whiter than white, we did a very balanced programme,” he added.

Under a banner reading “Unhappy Mother’s Day for British pigs”, pregnant protesters crouched in crates outside ‘Fifteen’ in north London, in an attempt to show the conditions sows can face before giving birth.

“Peta is asking people to have a heart for animal mums this time of the year and avoid meat that comes from such misery,” Lynzi Waddington, a protester, said.

In Jamie Saves Our Bacon on Channel 4, the chef highlighted factory pig farm conditions in continental Europe, showing the use of sow stalls, where pregnant pigs are kept in cages for up to four months at a time without room to turn. (ANI)

Arsenal only club developing young players: Wenger

London, Feb.24 (ANI): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his club is the only one among Europe’s elite interested in developing young players.

Blasting rivals like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool for spending millions on established stars as a short cut to silverware, the Gunners boss insists Arsenal are the one club trying to mould a team from potential challengers into trophy winners rather than simply resorting to the cheque book.

Incredibly, Wenger sees no irony in the fact he has just shelled out 15 million pounds on Russian Andrey Arshavin.

And the fact most of his pupils have arrived from abroad passes him by too.

As Wenger prepared for tonight’s Champions League showdown against Roma at The Emirates, he talked of emulating Alex Ferguson’s golden generation by producing one of his own.

But while Fergie’s foundations were built on British gems like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, Wenger’s will be largely drawn from continental Europe.

If he had every player fit, the only Englishman who might make Wenger’s team is Theo Walcott.

There will not be a single Englishman in Wenger’s 18-man squad tonight and that is far from unusual.

“We still feel we want to have values in our side and they are more than just players who have been bought together with the attitude of ‘let’s win trophies and parade them’, The Sun quoted him, as saying.

“We have a different idea of football and the game.

“I believe that no matter what happens it is important to keep this team together. This team is as good as anything in England,” he added.

“What we achieve in the rest of this season and the trophies we win is important in keeping players like Cesc and Van Persie. But they also have to decide whether they really want to show how good they can be together. That is in their hands as well,” he said. (ANI)