Member Info for TopLink

Very sensible and relevant points TheSynnerMan, could not agree more.

Sir Humphrey could not have put it better.

So there was a profit warning but evidence points to a busy trading period over Christmas and within the next three months we have Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter all of which should be good trading periods. We also have recent share purchases by directors. I would therefore have thought that the share price drop should have been little more than a short term drop with a slow rise after that.

Ticking up nicely but cannot see any restoration of the share price until dividends are reinstated been a long time, too long.

Bridgeofdon are you expecting a wait of 5-10 before there is a return to a meaningful dividend? A small annual dividend would do a lot to boost small shareholder confidence.

Following the announcement of the 10 year NHS plan and the aim of delivering more health care locally does it not follow that there will be an increased demand for more suitable premises which should benefit PHP.

So if the offer has been accepted by Assura is that good news or bad for existing PHP shareholders? Discuss.

There are two threats facing all retail businesses. 1. Rise in National Insurance contributions. 2. Business Rate increases. Whilst Business Rates are supposed to be under some sort of review that will not help retail businesses this year. Down turn may regrettably continue for some time yet at least until the economy picks up overall.

So the deal gets the green light and for those who have agreed to sell when does this actually happen and the cash appear in an account?

So I am likely to end up with 430 new Aviva shares plus the cash and the dividend but what will the price of the Aviva shares be as it is hardly worth holding on to 430 shares so it is either sell or buy more.

No dividend again this year, whilst I understand the reasons why it would still be nice if there was an indication as to when the dividend might be resorted.

So this is the view of the Board taken from the RNS "The Board considered the Proposal with its advisers and considered it to be uncertain, unattractive, and that it significantly undervalued Direct Line Group and its future prospects while also being highly opportunistic in nature. Accordingly, the Board unanimously rejected the Proposal on 29 January 2024." Good for them say I. So either AGEAS come back with a more realistic offer or they depart, the ball is now firmly back in their court.

All premiums have risen due to cost of settling loss and repair claims. If you are a long standing customer have a conversation and try to get it lowered have an alternative quote to hand and try adding another named driver which sometimes helps.

I understand that there are covenants relating to the reinstatement of the dividend until debt is below a certain level. Trading figures are encouraging and the position should become clearer later in the year. If debt can be reduced below the required level then may be a small dividend to keep the retail investors happy.

Book of vouchers arrived yesterday - personally I would prefer a dividend but useful none the less. Only difficulty how do you tell a manger pub from a franchised or tenanted one?

The only negative I can see is a general reduction in the number of Christmas cards being sent certainly through Royal Mail due to the cost of postage. This may of course be compensated for by other "seasonal gift" product lines. Be interesting to see if this is mentioned in any trading update.

No dividend however small for 2023 will we ever see one again.

Return of even a modest dividend will aid the share price so long as it is affordable and sustainable. Income investors tend to hold for the long term and long term holders are an aid to share price stability.

Despite what Cotill and mjallen have written you can get Direct Line to reduce a quoted premium for both motor and home policies. If you obtain an alternative quote the Call Centre staff will go some way to matching it as they did with me. One thing to remember is if you read the policy small print the level of cover Direct Line are offering is usually considerably better.

The company do need to pay more attention to long standing renewing customers.

No doubt many are taking their profits but with Father’s Day coming up, Halloween then Christmas, and with debt being driven down and then hopefully a small dividend by this time next year it should be a case of steady as we go.