EMI GIVES ITSELF AN "S"
FOR 1Q Y2K

EMI Group Plc, which is merging with Time Warner's music business, said today that overall trading in the first three months of the year had been "satisfactory." Industry watchers greeted the thrilling news with the celebratory popping of Blister Paks.

"We remain optimistic about our recorded music release schedule—which is stronger this year, and particularly so in the second half—and we're confident that the momentum we've built in music publishing in recent years will be maintained," Chairman eric nicoli',390,400);">eric nicoli',390,400);">Eric Nicoli told the group's annual general meeting.

Nicoli said the group had enjoyed notable chart success with Sheena Ringo (the love child of Ringo Starr and Sheena Easton…no, not really) in Japan as well as PoMo quintet A Perfect Circle and rappers the 504 Boyz in the United States. In Britain, former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft and London-based band Coldplay (currently at number one on the UK charts) have both been well-received.

Shares in EMI climbed a spectacular 1.5% on the big news.

And now, back to those Blister Paks...