Interactive Prospect Targeting Share Discussion Threads

[chiva20] 23/5/2007 19:50

Agreed IPH have a big hill to climb now they've suprised us with that last little gem of an announcement. I also hear that the big unreachable carrot dangling is a big problem at IPH.

I believe their problems are more based on rapid expansion and not enough attention to infrastructure than the Hotmail issue or redundancies/leavers etc. I think they'll sort infrastructure out quickly and get back on track, therefore I still remain bullish.

[t0pgrader] 22/5/2007 09:44

Blue

Quite agree with you. Just too risky with this management team. I would only buy if I could convince myself this is a bid candidate

[bluebelle] 22/5/2007 09:36

t0p

Had I been an investor, the way the results and AGM were handled would have worried me. As it was, I was disinclined to move it from my watch list into my portfolio.

I had the distinct impression that the Board - especially the Chairman - were taken by surprise by the underperformance, and I did not find the Chairman's statement reassuring : it smacked to me of complacency and didn't convey - at least to me - the impression that they knew what the problems were, and had a strategy to sort them out : there's only so much you can do for so long by dangling larger and larger carrots in front of an already pressed salesforce.

Just my impression, but still only on the watch list, and moving lower down on it unless and until I am convinced they have a sustainable offering, which at the moment I'm not.

[t0pgrader] 22/5/2007 09:30

IMO you shouldn't underestimate the email delivery problems that are being experienced at the moment. It may not be new but it is hurting.

Secondly - did you notice the absence of any trading / outlook statement at the AGM. Rarely is that a good sign.

[bluebelle] 22/5/2007 09:11

cool

That's interesting. I don't know the company at grass roots level as you guys do, but as I posted a few months ago, when I researched the company and decided not to invest, that one of my concerns was that it is so sales driven and doesn't seem to have a clear marketing strategy. It also seemed very thin in terms of senior management.

Companies like this have a much greater capacity, in my often painful experience as an investor, to surprise on the downside than the up, for the simple reason they have no tangible assets and have to set really ambitious sales targets to drive the staff and sustain the share price and some unforeseen event - as basic as the unexpected departure of a good salesman or a flu outbreak - can have a dramatic effect on profit and share price. Once the company gets a reputation for disappointing - as this one disappointed with the last set of figures without giving a really good explanation as to how it was a one off - then it has to work doubly hard to regain investor confidence.

[coolchilli] 22/5/2007 08:58

This looks more like EXPN than a reshape Chiva.

Have spoken to a source there this morning to get more details, and the office closure is one of the small companies they bought last year being 'moved' to London, but reading between the lines they didn't know what they bought and are now cutting it loose.


Apparently about 35 people have gone over the last month or so, and there is understandable anxiety in those who have left. Especially with middle management who can't afford to exit with the share price as it is at the moment.

My source says that very little information is being filtered from the top and no sense of strategy. It seems that for about six months there have been cut backs and money saving initiatives (apparently starting with the cancellation of the staff xmas party!), but now the redundancies are kicking in.

We could really do with an announcement from IPH as to what their strategy is at the mo, otherwise perhaps we'll just have to wait for the interim results.

[chiva20] 21/5/2007 20:46

The Hotmail issue (less so AOL) has been an issue for years and didn't really damage margins in previous years, I doubt it's any greater issue now to any other time. Don't forget IPH were pretty much first to market and are much bigger in this space than competitors so any issue here has been well contained and understood for a long time.

Cool - I'm not aware of any offices being closed - can you expand on that for us?? France? They have one very big UK office in Victoria which houses 95% of the staff and then a couple of satellite offices to house very small none-sales teams, if you refer to one of these I really don't think it's a worry, probably a necessity to bring the team closer to the sales office (eg. new product design etc.). I do know of one or two middle management redundancies they've made in an effort to reshape the company in coordination with its rapid growth. As I've mentioned before on this subject, IPH are a very salesy and innovative company and their staff turnover has always been high, it really isn't anything new. If you know more than this I'm sure we're all ears -but the two issues both you and Tops have flagged are old hat and really shouldn't be a concern (all IMO) - they're no more significant now then when IPH were posting very positive news.
Conversely other companies in the direct marketingspace (eg. EXPN) have been laying off people by the hundred. IPH are bucking this trend ..?

[bluebelle] 21/5/2007 12:26

coolchilli

DO you any more details ?

[coolchilli] 21/5/2007 12:11

Everyone is having problems with Hotmail and AOL at the moment with regards to delivery. 45% of email traffic is a fair estimate of how IPH will be affected by this. The greater concern to me are the redundancies they are making and the closure of one of their offices.

[t0pgrader] 20/5/2007 22:07

Hearing reports / rumours (ie indirectly) that IPH is being affected by global problems with hotmail/msn email delivery that is disrupting the industry. Given that hotmail accounts for 30-50% of total email traffic that's concerning. DYOR

[welsheagle] 20/5/2007 19:44

brennycml - 'Beyond The Zulu principle' by Jim Slater is a very good investing book.

[chiva20] 18/5/2007 21:16

3 very big trades (1 mill plus) today - any ideas anyone?

[bluebelle] 25/4/2007 21:19

brennymcl - 31 Mar'07 - 21:01 - 318 of 336
That's my total spend on line not just with IPT and I do think they are good value but not the best value overall.


brenny

What exactly do you use them for if you don't mind my asking. I had thought from your earlier posts that it was just 'electronic list rental' but you seem to suggest that they offer a more comprehensive campaign management service.

[peladon] 19/4/2007 08:36

Interactive Prospect TargetingHdgs
19 April 2007


Interactive Prospect Targeting Holdings Plc

('the Company')

DIRECTORS' DEALINGS


19 April 2007


LONDON, UK, 19 April 2007 - The Company announces that on 18 April 2007, the
following Directors have purchased shares in the Company, as set out below:


Name Number of shares Purchase Price Total number of % of issued
purchased of Shares shares now held shares capital

David Cicurel 40,000 116p 140,500 0.31%
Barton Faber 20,000 116p 320,000 0.71%
Lionel Thain 6,250 116.25p
Lionel Thain 6,250 117p 6,155,210 13.73%



In addition, the Company announces that David Cicurel, Non Executive Director,
has exercised options over 100,500 ordinary shares at an exercise price of
19.99666p.

Mr. Cicurel has confirmed to the Company that he has no intention to dispose of
any shares in the Company for the foreseeable future.

[ok,yah] 05/4/2007 10:21

Back out of this probably get back in cheaper

[t0pgrader] 04/4/2007 10:48

So far looking like the 25-30% retracement that occurs after a dramatic rise/fall.

[tipsheet] 03/4/2007 16:14

The bb board goes quiet once the stock starts rising!

[bluebelle] 03/4/2007 08:46

tipsheet
If you look over the posts here going back to December you can see most of the arguments for and against but for me, pugs post above sums it up : too much goodwill on the balance sheet and strong doubts about management and hence concerns as to whether the company can capitalise on what is undoubtedly a dynamic sector, given its track record.

If you think they can it's a 'no brainer' buy, if you don't then avoid like the proverbial, unless you're into repeated cash calls and a distress sale at or about NAV !

I'm agnostic and out !

[tipsheet] 03/4/2007 08:13

Perhaps you guys could explain something to me.

I am not a holder in this stock, BUT...

- The company looks good and forecasts are impressive.
- The share price fell 50% on the back of results that really weren't that bad (perhaps they were just worse than some expected)

An article out yesterday.... "* Global spending on internet advertising increases by $18.7 billion to $24.9 billion last year, according to Zenith Optimedia"
- That is a 75% increase in a year.
- IPH are well positioned for this and having fell 50% recently, TO ME this looks exceedingly good value.

Constructive comments are welcome

[pugugly] 02/4/2007 21:13

Bluebelle:_ ASC looks pretty good - subject to when you bought could be a 10+ bagger.

I had cash take overs for Biotrace, Huntleigh, and Get Group, all nice earners and have one cash+share pending for Theratase so considering some reinvestment.

HDD, if it fulfills its potential could have promise but has moved up some 49% since I bought,and looks as though it will consolidate for a while unless positive news flow.

However also still holding too many 50% to 90% losses (from my learning period) as well as a few 100+% and 200+% gainers. So cannot complain too much.

Jury very much out on IPT but strong doubts about mangement controls and too much goodwill on the balance sheet.

[bluebelle] 02/4/2007 17:09

pug

I agree with you : I think it's been quite hard to find good value in the markets for quite a while now. I've been sticking mainly with my core holdings and on the more active side, focusing on top 350 stocks with my usual criteria, as long as they are showing good relative strength against the market - AMEC and Inter Continental have done pretty well for me. But as I say, I think markets are reasonably valued at the moment and, after the sustained bull run, if there are bargans around, I'm not aware of them !!!.

Agree with you about AIM, especially about taking profits, although having said that, one of my best performers in recent years has been an AIM stock, ASC, which although becalmed at the moment, has proved to be a good one to stick with so far !!!

[pugugly] 02/4/2007 16:29

Bluebelle:- All excellent pointers but when all above are in place the p/e is very often high and dividend %age often on the low side -

Fully agree with you profit warnings - once the 1st is issued more often than not a 2nd - 3rd and possilby resuce right offer come along - However have seen too many so called "solid" companies progress slowly backwards,

Directors previous history is very often a good indicator however I find I I am careful in Aim stocks they can be very rewarding - provided one i not too gready and get out before the top - Can also be profitable about this time of year if can pick up Tax loss sales where the MM's are marking down and od not want stock on their boks if the coy appears fundamentally sound - minimal debt and real not goodwill assets (real assets here excludes calapped out plant)

[bluebelle] 02/4/2007 09:11

PUGUGLY - 1 Apr'07 - 21:52 - 322 of 324
melody9999:> You are so right. Have you any tips on what you have found are the most reliable indicators of quality mangement?


Pug
A consistent record of growth in sales, profits, cash flow and, ideally, dividends, which is why I have very few investments in the casino also known as AIM. With new / AIM companies where you don't have that, I avoid companies who are over dependent for their success on a single individual, especially if he has a poor track record in relation to other listed companies. Too many small quoted businesses IMHO run their affairs as if they were private ones which is bad news for PIs

Oh and another thing : I don't like managements with a record of issuing shock profit warnings !!!