Essenden Share Discussion Threads

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 09:04

That sounds good, if we get the same reaction as CRAW i will be pleased!

[davidosh] 15/1/2014 09:02

It was Ginger who asked me to look at these about three months ago so I have him to thank as I knew nothing about them before that. I will try to set up an investor presentation with these guys after the results are released in mid March. It would be great if the timing works for our March Mello in Beckenham.

We have another full house for our January Mello with CLIG presenting this coming Monday and these events are incredibly popular. As many of you know CRAW have nearly trebled since their appearance just two months ago so investors like getting to know management of stocks with solid growth stories.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:50

Gingerplants buying also looks timely now.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:47

Davidosh your declaration of interest here will have a major impact with you being held in such high regard i'd expect a few to follow you.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:41

Been in here since 18p and added several times.
Out of interest davidosh how do you see that trade was a broker to broker?
My broker can't see it?

[chrisis33] 15/1/2014 08:38

I was in a while back, and I believe it was one of the shares I reluctantly parted with to fund my purchases in CRAW. Glad to be back in holding some. Terrific update and outlook.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:36

Ah thanks Davidosh will edit that post. Great to see your a buyer too.

[davidosh] 15/1/2014 08:33

For the avoidance of doubt the 95k was a broker to broker transfer and will not have affected the market price and certainly did not aid the MMs. I have been a buyer here over the past two months and the update this morning was very positive IMO.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:28

Great chrisis33, these should push on through 50p over the coming months if we don't see that transformational buy before then.

[chrisis33] 15/1/2014 08:23

I bought back in finally with a few ... been on the watchlist for an age.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 08:11

Buying at 40p now bodes well imv.

[gargoyle2] 15/1/2014 08:07

Thanks battlebus2. That's good to see.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 07:46

Gargoyle just for you... "The Board continues to support and actively explore "transformational" opportunities for the Company".

With current levels of cash generation imv that day is much closer.

[battlebus2] 15/1/2014 07:29

Excellent trading Statement imv..

Strong end to successful year

Essenden, the operator of 30 bowling and entertainment centres, provides an update with regard to the Company's recent trading performance:

-- Up to the 12th January 2014, like for like sales were as follows:
o Trading over the 15 week period (1) was up 8.4%

o Trading over the six week Christmas and New Year period (2) improved by 8.5%

o Trading over the two weeks' school holidays (3) was up 11.1%

-- Like for like sales for the 52 weeks ended 29th December 2013 were up 0.6% against the previous year.

-- Digital sales, which are 11% of total sales, were up 62% year on year and represented 50% of prebooked bowling revenue, up from 39% in 2012

-- The improvements in trading have led to further growth in EBITDA. Group operating margins for 2013 are expected to show good progress on 2012 leading to strong cash generation for a second consecutive year.

-- The Board continues to support and actively explore "transformational" opportunities for the Company.

-- The Company expects to announce its preliminary results in March 2014.
Nick Basing, Chief Executive said:

"Two consecutive years of growth, a strong last quarter and leading Christmas results are unequivocal evidence of a fully re-invigorated business.

These latest results combined with a position of net cash, excellent systems in place and a highly committed team mean we now have a platform to grow significantly.

This performance has been achieved with only a tiny amount of capital investment in order to de-leverage the group.

Instead, a combination of a talented wide group of people, good old fashioned service, cutting edge yield management and focus on families has all contributed to our success.

I'd expect us to press fast forward in 2014."

[battlebus2] 10/1/2014 09:50

They are still looking :))

[gargoyle2] 10/1/2014 09:44

Whatever happened to the 'transformational acquisition' here? This from the 2012 FY results, in March 2013:

"The Board are now looking to use the skills and wider experience of the team. Using Essenden as a platform, the Board intends to build the Company through a transformational acquisition in the leisure sector."

[battlebus2] 10/1/2014 09:39

Not sure how the weather will factor this year but atleast we had no major snow disruption.

[janeann] 10/1/2014 09:36

yes around the 23 rd; expecting it to be positive given the last interims were pretty positive and I would envisage the xmas period would be fairly busy for them.

[battlebus2] 10/1/2014 09:22

Back to ESS they usually have a trading statement later this month.

[battlebus2] 10/1/2014 09:21

Should have know you were in PTD, my memory is slipping :)) and i agree WORK is a long term buy/hold ahead of the update.

[janeann] 10/1/2014 09:14

thanks bb2. yes o/t also; just breaking even with ptd having been in for a while; something about byot worried me when i looked at it - i recall too much a long shot at this stage. yes in work - wasnt expecting anything too instantly there. May resort to thal although very overweight there. Are u in thal?


ess; i expect for any reasonable amount would be 38 or more!

[battlebus2] 10/1/2014 08:47

I like PTD, my selection for the NFSC 2014, a very interesting story there which i hope will head to 5p for starters and possibilty of another bid for the co, spread 3.33/3.44 this morning and i've been buying BYOT at a very low 5p with a target price of 10p but dyor as ever.

Sorry for the O/T but do you still hold WORK?

[janeann] 10/1/2014 08:41

dont like buying at a new high after a recent run up though! any other suggestions!?