Character Share Discussion Threads

[h1a3] 03/8/2016 22:35

CCT will be providing a trading update in early September.
Hopefully it will be a good one.

Further for tax purposes, CCT believes that its shares qualify for IHT relief.

[deanowls] 01/8/2016 18:02

Did I imagine it or in one of the videos after results they said they would have some exciting news? I'm getting old!

[h1a3] 01/8/2016 11:51

Davebowler,
Whilst I am aware of the Pokemon Go craze, I am not sure how CCT can benefit?
I do not recall CCT having any involvement with Pokemon but if they do, great.
Any information would be appreciated.

[davebowler] 01/8/2016 11:39

Big beneficiary of Pokemon Go craze, apparently.

[carcosa] 26/7/2016 09:17

With reference to the H1 results it is interesting to note that that although UK revenues increased only 2.2% year on year the International market revenues increased 57% and that overseas growth did not include anything from Teletubbies at the time.

It should be remembered though that International sales are on a Free-On-Board basis so the margins are somewhat less than UK. However, last year 62% of total pre-tax profits came from overseas so this year I would expect that number to increase both organically and with a helpful currency tail-wind.

Therefore I am expecting something very positive to be announced in the September trading update although I do have some worries over possible exceptional charges relating to currency hedging etc; as I really don't understand that part of the business at all. So, subject to that sort of surprise I'm comfortable in remaining a shareholder.

The 7p dividend is also due for payment on Friday.

Also, were we not expecting an announcement this month regarding an American distributor?

[carcosa] 16/7/2016 12:21

hxxp://www.thecharacter.com/financial-calendar/ Probably the 8th.

[h1a3] 16/7/2016 12:13

Very quiet on this post.
Price is nicely coming back following Brexit and with a 7p dividend soon, so I am quite pleased.
All the main toy retailers appear to have a wide range of Teletubbies. Hopefully they are selling.
Does anyone know when we can expect a trading update?

[trigger16] 06/7/2016 12:02

Carcosa yes it does seem to suggest that sterling weakening against the dollar By 10% would result in a small net profit. I guess this must be a result of currency hedging against its dollar purchases? The hedging is one year in advance so presumably the pain from falling £ will be felt next year (in terms of higher prices / squeezed margins) though Cct would have some time to adapt to the change. That's my best guess...

[orange1] 06/7/2016 11:06

Well, as recently as 23 June the company was buying back its own shares at a price of 515p.

[h1a3] 06/7/2016 10:57

A lot of small sales today.
Is this a MM shakeout or are there other underlying trading issues besides the Brexit?
Just wondering if Telebubbies sales are slowing?
CCT goes ex dividend on Thursday and so I expect another fall.

[carcosa] 06/7/2016 10:27

In the annual report a currency risk sensitivity table indicates that weak sterling is positive for CCT. Or am I reading this incorrectly?

[elmfield] 27/6/2016 18:46

Yes we could do with knowing a bit more,
Got to watch these for over reaction opening up buying chance.

[orange1] 27/6/2016 17:57

But the company does hedge. This is from the latest Annual Report:

A significant amount of the Group’s purchases are made in US dollars. The Group is therefore exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. The Group manages its foreign exchange risk with forward foreign exchange contracts and other derivative financial instruments such as currency options, to reduce the exposure.

[h1a3] 27/6/2016 17:21

I presume the large price fall is a reflection of the fact that CCT buys in USD and a large % of sales are in £'s. Volatile times that hopefully will soon settle down. A good opportunity for CCT to buy back some more shares.

[orange1] 23/6/2016 16:45

My money is on the following announcement tomorrow morning:

Transaction in Own Shares

In continuing its stated objective to enhance shareholder value, Character Group (AIM:CCT.L) announces that, on 23 June 2016, it bought-back for cancellation 42,000 ordinary shares of 5p each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") in the market at a price of 527.5 pence per Ordinary Share.

[glaws2] 22/6/2016 08:04

Share buy back announced yesterday - 35k shares. First buybacks for 6 months.

[durham dealer] 08/6/2016 16:20

This helps a lot! Thanks Mip55 very kind of you to take the time to answer the question.

[mip55] 08/6/2016 15:28

Durham. .....If a company's shares are listed, then any further issue of shares must also be listed and the company has to make the necessary application for such.If the company makes frequent issues of new shares (to satisfy the exercise of share options, for example), it's a hassle (and more costly) to have to make applications for listing each time.So the Exchange allows a company to "block list" a block of shares before they have been issued and allotted, which makes things easier. In turn, the company must publish a half-yearly blocklisting review which sets out the number of shares the subject of the blocklisting which have actually been issued in the period and the number of shares outstanding.Hope this helps

[durham dealer] 08/6/2016 13:35

Re Above-
Could anyone kindly explain what a "Block listing Interim Review" is?

I know I'm probably asking an obvious question- but better to ask.

Thanks

[h1a3] 01/6/2016 11:06

No recent positive or negative CCT news around, so with small trades/small volumes it does appear to be a shakeout. Good time to top up?

[from8to800] 01/6/2016 10:26

Seems to me like its just a shakeout. The lack of volume gives me confidence to hold.

[tratante] 31/5/2016 16:16

Mms taking advantage of quiet trading during half term? Hope so managed to get in a little lower than I expected.

[davr0s] 31/5/2016 15:31

4% down on naff all volume after days of steady buying - my money on tree shake - getting tempted to add