Member Info for CheshireLad

Interesting points from everyone, just backs up and brings confidence that we (the 35%) should be ok whatever the outcome.

Apparently this week is the fits time in 5 months that MM hasn't posted on LinkedIn, if true, another caveat to the list. Understandably so if things are afoot regrading the ducks being lined up for the eventual big reveal, I'm sure there is a lot going on, and MM will want things in place and running smoothly before the School holidays.

NB: I cannot confirm or disconfirm as I'm not registered on either ADVFN or LinkedIn

At the moment, it looks like MM is playing a blinder and taking my advice of shutting up and then putting up, don’t all congratulate me at once….lol

I would somewhat temper excitement by stating this could all be governance related to qualm fears from the City, alongside the recent appointments, but I don’t believe it’s in advance of a premium listing, but a good backstop position should MM’s plans come unstuck in any way, shape, or form. On the other hand I now have no doubt that MM does have backing and support, if required, from backers ready to step in should another PE approach be forthcoming, which I’m sure would occur should MM play his full hand and offer shareholders the alternative MBO route. MM wants, and appears to have now got, reassurances that any PE approaches can now be fought off with the major shareholders 50% support (I don’t subscribe to 65%), with possible ME backing to step in if things got ugly for MM, but good for us (the 35%) through a bidding war.

To me it’s a bit of a fallacy that MM is concerned by the break-up of his baby by PE, when it’s clear to me, that after a clean MBO this would happen anyway. Apollo were clearly discussing different terms with MM and valuing the individual parts of THG accordingly for either a full or part spin off of one of the three assets. My personal opinion on the matter is after an MBO the beauty division will be sold to recoup costs of an MBO. Beauty may be a cash cow, and liquidity is good for a business even if not making profit, however is it the future? I have my doubts, and also suspect MM may have the same, leaving Ingenuity and Nutrition as the future, at least in MM’s eyes. I concur for the simple reason Beauty is driven by variable disposable incomes, but food (nutrition) is a necessity, as is the digital velocity driven world we live in. Would a spin-off of any of the divisions before an MBO be a sensible idea? I’ve given much thought to this over the week and come down on the side of the fence that it isn’t and from a business perspective makes more sense after an MBO, as value and terms would be unknown away from prying eyes (the City), and for all we know may have already been verbally agreed on a forward thinking basis. Happy for other opinions on this as I admit there are reasons for a sale/spin-off pre MBO would be advantageous for all stakeholders and MM (backstop #2), but not as much till after an MBO IMHO.

#showmethemoney

GLA

If you know, you know ;-)

#sidewaysandupwards

GLA

Also took a few just before the close. As stated will do the same on any perceived weakness , I'm long and won't be wrong.

#downwardsandupwards

GLA

I suppose its' to do with same target markets/demographic, and logistical issues. Even though as you correctly allude to, different products which cause less problems in the distribution cycle, wastage, and balance sheet one would assume. throw in a lot of tech. It's like comparing Blockbuster versus Netflix, and we know how that turned out.

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

For us it's all about ROI combined with risk and reward. For the likes of MM and backers, in whatever form you wish the backers to known by, it's always about the ROI, but the difference, in the main, it's never about risk and reward, it's just about the reward, they don not take risks

As usual follow the money, the money being amounts we can only dream about, but nice to dream all the same.

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

Probably all the below, perfect storm.

GLA

Obviously being held at this level, but for whom, shorts, big buyers (Director purchases, PE stake building pre offer, et al), or simply new contract news?

GLA

Gap Filled Mav?

GLA

It's pushing.......

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

Oke endearing himself on the BOO board by extolling the virtues of THG as an example for his investing strategy. Bringing a bit order and balance over there, funny and worth a read if you feel inclined.

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

Oke stated on BOO he sold 50% and left his free ride in THG, as is his modus operandi for investing.

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

Aucuba, I agree,

Pardon the pun but the pipeline needs some new places to go. I'm afraid small wins or existing contracts being renewed will not cut it with the market. Big, shiny, and new does it, especially from Governments or State owned entities, but then that would appear not the priority....at the moment. In part due to legacy issues and the predisposition to mitigate against possible future impairments. However, there is only so long you can keep the business ticking over before it gets strangled by cashflow issues, and then another bid may ensue?

GLA

I doubt the THG bid price would've got to around £1.20 if the premium the article states was correct. Possibly might even be a typo and should state 146%? A more subtle form of a hit piece? It's all in the past, albeit quite recent, so make no difference. I would love Matt to refute and clarify, but not disclose. Alternatively, that might also be the plan, to get the Apollo price public in readiness for the next round of potential bidding. Apollo and others are now armed with the major TR-1 holdings details, and could be forcing the issue due the surprise GS going early. There is potentially now only a short time frame for lower (or genuine) priced prospective bids, and shorts, to make their decision, based on the wider positive sentiment that is appearing since the AGM, solid TU, GS going, Middle East trip, potential large buyer, and new MyP offerings etc etc

#interesting

GLA

May be the market has seen the contracts PFC has been winning, and thinks it's small change in comparison? Time will tell.

GLA

As a side note, and off THG topic, nice to see Oke bringing some balance to the discussions on the BOO board. Not so much of a cesspit over there now Oke is on there :-)

We are so undervalued, but I don't aspire to the dizzy heights of £4 - £5. The economic climate has changed forever, what was once, is not now. Be cautious and practical with your expectations, and come to your own conclusion of what THG is worth to yourself and when you hope/expect to see that value materialize in the natural order of a company bouncing back, or, building back better, to borrow a recent political soundbite. I wasn't happy at all being below my average, for any great length of time, because I knew it was nothing to do with me making bad investment decisions, and that's why Matt needed telling through any way shape or form of his shortcomings as a CEO of a listed company, and hopefully this board and via other mediums the 35% voice was eventually heard.

I have some spare funds to invest, and if we dip below 80p next week, I'm a buyer again, although with my own investing plan/timeframe of seeing where we go in 18 months, it really doesn't matter if I buy in the 70's, 80's, or below a £1. I'm expecting £2+ naturally in 18 months, anything else that happens through a capital event which we realistically have no power over will be a bonus as far as I'm concerned., as per my post of yesterday, £2.50 - £3.25 for me, but that's just me, I don't really have a large holding compared to some of you, just 25k shares....at the moment, and 25k in PFC, which is in a very similar position (and price) to THG and I'm expecting good things from PFC over the next 18 months to. BOO is a trade for me until the end of summer/autumn, and WG., well I work there and expect things to get moving again later in the year!

#onwardsandupwards

GLA

Once again the shorts prove me wrong, but in a nice way this time. I'll take that finish any day of the week, and especially on a Friday it's so much sweeter, like sucralose over aspartame.

#nextstopapound

GLA

I will not be selling short of £2.50 minimum, at least.

Happy to wait to see full or near value return, £3.25+ for me

#itnowstartswithathreeforme

GLA

I reckon we'll finish bang on 80p, I hope I'm wrong and it's higher, but I expect it to dip in to the close, if it doesn't then we are business, bulls will have it.

#keeppushingmatt

GLA

Gapping back up now though.

GLA