Member Info for Madtom

Well that seems to have spooked a few in to selling.

For those that believe I think there will be another opportunity to get in cheap again.

Traders dream ?

I’ve been hovering over the buy button but have this big niggling doubt over the debt.

Ok, refinancing not required until early 2026 but almost £800m of refinancing is not making the debt go away and even if on more favourable terms, it’s still has to be paid back.

I’d like to see a clear direction and plan before pressing buy.

Far too many question marks right now.

This performance is not to be under estimated in this current climate.I think it shows that LIKE are still growing organically and taking significant market share from its rivals. Where that stops or slows is anyone’s guess, but they are still not fully exposed in the South, South West , whilst gaining strength in existing areas of the Country. The near time target of £200m seems very achievable right now.

I think a positive trading update may well attract some of the recent sellers from HEAD & VCP, where for the latter it’s been a SP disaster for a couple of months now.

I assume that the negativity is all around the mammoth debt that is weighing the company down. It needs more than an upturn in the housing market to sort that issue out.

I can’t see them going bust, but possibly a sell off of some of the brands within the group.

I think it’s a little early to say that the share price is reversing, when it’s only 1.3p higher than the 12 month low as I type.

Big big losses reported this morning but no immediate impact on the share price. Possibly it has been costed in following last months ‘warning’.

I’ll watch with great caution for now.

I guess that depends if tomorrow’s update ( which is likely to be gloomy) is already priced in !!

😬 You’re a more brave person than me.

I think I’ll watch this one play out as there are too many question marks over the debt. That is one thing that is not going away any time soon.

Half year results will be posted next Tuesday 26th.

There won’t be much good news in there which will likely add further negative trajectory to the SP.

Turkish ceramic company owned by VCP PLC, sold for circa £30m.

Only just over £8m in cash to the group with £22m of debt bought by the buyer if I read the RNS correctly.

The first of the ‘speculated’ sells gone through.

That’s not the one I’d be worried about,

It’s likely just a scheduled sales meeting.

From a customer/retailer/employee perspective, I would imagine that it is very much business as usual. It’s what goes on in the back ground that is the concern !!!

From which brands from within the group ?

It seems sentiment and momentum needs to reverse, but for that to happen we need to see some kind of positive message/RNS that the board are in control and have a plan.

I’m not sure that’ll happen though.

Rumours are starting to circulate in the trade that as significant monies need to be raised, the group are looking to off load one or two of the brands.

Abingdon Flooring seems to be the strongest rumour with an ‘in trade’ consortium being put together.

Rumours only, but action certainly needs to be taken.

Wow …. That’s a tough read !!

Certainly a reassuring listen for any doubters/nervous investors out there.

LW doing pretty good in a very tough economic climate. Everything seems very well set for when the economy improves.

I would encourage anyone invested or thinking of investing to listen to the audio note from Zeus Capital.

A strong set of figures when considering market conditions. Still lots more natural growth to come.

A £1.2m profit compared to a huge loss from its main competitor shows that LW are going in the right direction. Will look to add more at these bargain prices.

More , but not surprising news from within the sector today with chief competitor reporting more significant losses ( Circa £13m ). Everyone in the sector is experiencing the same conditions of course & I will be interested to see the LW results on the 30th over the comparable period.

No surprise with a further significant loss in H1 of over £13 million.

Obvious market challenges’ that affect all in the sector, but I wonder if there are deeper challenges for this group as they seem to divide opinion within the customer base.

The trade counters are the biggest bone of contention with the independent retailer’s & although this is seen as an important strategic growth area for the group it may also be their biggest weakness.