The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
Thanks Stalin. Somebody I know lost a few quid on the Carillion plummet recently and I have learnt to try to take a profit when possible and live with it if the any rise continues where I "miss out"(a bird in the hand etc). A little fall today so keeping my powder dry if this continues. ATB
You are not alone Stalin! Took the opportunity to take some profit myself on the back of recent gains in SP as not sure it will continue but still hold a few thousand to keep an interest here. Just might be something bubbling but as you have found it appears all are keeping sealed lips if that is the case. Think you are right on scrappage which will in turn generate service plan income for sure in the future. GLA
race for new customers. That's the business case headline. Well it appears manufacturers are trying to give the market kick which might help dealers bottom line and future after sales customers. Let's se how it pans out! GLA
Agreed Stalin, just a little "tickle" of good news regarding realisation of funds for future opportunities but everything else as per AGM statement. Not going to set the SP soaring for sure at the moment but a further reinforcement that funds are held for any possible mergers & acquisitions that present themselves or are already on the radar. It therefore continues to be a ""hold" for me with the hope that we get a lift in the not to distant future. AIMOHO. GLA
With in excess of 20 Ford franchised operations in the group Vertu will be pleased to see the announcement of the scrappage scheme from the manufacturer. This could give a nice boost to the group and will get some of the older environmentally unfriendly cars of the road. Every little helps as they say.GLA
It was good to see Marshall Gp announce good half year trading results a couple of days ago which gave the SP a kick. Hopefully Vertu have been doing just as well which will be expressed in the September update. We live in hope! GLA
The announced "buy back" continues in chunks and as Stalin points out buyback in the long term will mean less shares in circulation, the irony is that short term a lower SP helps Vertu buyback more shares for the buck. Constant news feed of difficulties in the Governments negotiations over Brexit cannot be helping a great deal either. Like Stalin I am in here as I believe the company is well run and hope that medium to long term our faith will prove worthwhile. It is also worth bearing in mind that acquisitions are a definite possibility with cash in hand ready when the opportunities present themselves.AIMHO GLA
Today's announcement is much as would be expected in current market conditions in my humble opinion and Vertu expect to trade in line with market expectations through to Feb 2018. OK not outperforming but still in line but let's look a little deeper here:- Point 1 "The Board continues to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities, applying consistent valuation criteria to ensure future returns. The strength of the Group's balance sheet and its available borrowing facilities will ensure that the Group is ideally placed to continue to deliver its growth strategy." Point 2 Property disposal which may yield a further £7 million to bolster the balance sheet. Point 3. Vertu to seek approval at AGM for share buy back of £3 million worth of existing shares. I therefore do not see too much bad news in the statement and would expect the SP to have held its ground on the back of it. As stated it at first read looks a bit of a " curates egg - good in parts" but a little more good could yet be delivered if the sales of excess property is realised and the share buy back is approved. AIMHO & GLA
Definitely undervalued by some margin in my humble opinion but others say the market is the true indicator of value and lately we are witnessing an apparent lack of confidence here. The whole sector lacks a little love with the uncertainty of Brexits impact etc but without doubt Vertu continue to perform well within the automotive sphere especially in aftersales. Robert can spot a bargain or two as well so hopefully we may get another upturn in the not too distant future Stalin. ATB
After today's news on the third successive monthly fall in the UK new car registrations maybe our little rally over the last few days has started to recede somewhat. Vertu has a very strong hand in the aftersales market and hopefully this will bear fruit come the September update. GLA
It now appears a few are maybe taking the opportunity to bag a little profit on the recent rise in SP to put further icing on their "ex dividend" cake. Personally I will continue to hold with fingers crossed re the dreaded Brexit scenario. Vertu are a well run motor business in my opinion and continue to improve in the sector. As previously stated by Stalin etc, the September update could be crucial one way or the other. GLA