Tate & Lyle plc reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the six months ended September 30, 2009. For the period, the company reported operating profit of £86 million, profit before tax of £50 million, profit for the period from continuing operations of £48 million, profit of £46 million, profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the company of £44 million or £10.0 diluted per share on sales of £1,823 million against operating profit of £143 million, profit before tax of £121 million, profit for the period from continuing operations of £84 million, profit of £65 million, profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the company of £64 million or £18.0 diluted per share on sales of £1,698 million for the same period a year ago.

Savola Group Company is in talks with Tate & Lyle plc to buy its minority stakes in United Sugar Company and United Sugar Company of Egypt. A Savola executive told Zawya Dow Jones that, “We have been talking to Tate & Lyle for a while...we expect to reach an agreement early next year.” Savola is looking to buy Tate & Lyle’s 9.68% stake in United Sugar Company and its 3% stake in United Sugar Company of Egypt. A spokesman for Tate & Lyle said, “These minority interests include stakes in two sugar refineries where Savola is the principal partner, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Egypt.”

Tate & Lyle plc is in talks with Savola Group Company regarding the sale of the company’s minority stake in two sugar refineries in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The company is selling a 10% stake in a Saudi sugar refinery and 3% stake in an Egyptian refinery. A spokesperson of Tate & Lyle said, “We made it clear that the business sold excluded a small number of minority interests related to the sugar trading business which would be disposed of separately in accordance with the related shareholders agreements. These minority interests include stakes in two sugar refineries where Savola is the principal partner, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Egypt.”