View27 Dec 2019 17:12
An extract from II and Edmond Jackson's words of wisdom on DLAR..
Noting last October at 200p, the stock was broadly an “Avoid” in chart terms, I was intrigued how a re-organisation had been underway for some time, and how the business had a history of good cash generation and a new chairman and CEO.
Schroders’ appearing with a 5.8% stake swayed me to a “buy” rating, while I emphasised the risks and speculation involved, also “the chief hurdle I envisage is weak interims in a month’s time... a fresh root-and-branch review...when the new CEO might also opt to flag any extra house-keeping costs.”
He did exactly that in late November, declaring a new re-organisation and suspending dividends to manage higher debt arising from adverse working capital moves.
I should have sat further back from a business with a troubled past, however good its market position, until bosses have declared “kitchen sinking” and bought equity.
So, De La Rue is evolving to this proper rule, in the sense the CEO bought into the share price fall, pumping in £51,589 at around 138p, with the company secretary also taking £61,327 worth at 139p and another insider £14,546 worth at 145p.
The stock drifted to 125p, which attracted support back up to 135p, and I suspect it is now the recovery “buy” I anticipated.