Lookers Share Discussion Threads

[this_is_me] 30/10/2012 08:00

Interim Management Statement



Lookers plc, ("Lookers" "the company" or "the group"), one of the leading UK motor retail and aftersales service groups, is issuing an interim management statement for the period from 1 July 2012 to 29 October 2012.



The company produced an excellent trading performance in the third quarter to 30 September 2012, in particular during the critical month of September, and the Board is very pleased to report a record result for the period under review.



The UK new car market increased by 4% in the nine months to 30 September, with the retail new car market increasing by 9% and the fleet market remaining at last year's level. Against this background our motor division delivered another strong performance. We continued to gain market share with group core retail new car sales 11% higher than the previous year, 2% ahead of the market. Fleet volumes reduced by 18%, the reduction in volume being primarily due to a specific low margin fleet deal in 2011 which was not repeated this year. New retail car margins increased compared to the prior year and fleet margins also increased, more than offsetting the reduction in fleet volume.



Used car volumes for the nine months increased by a very pleasing 12% compared to last year and used car margins also increased. This very positive performance reflects our strong focus on used car pricing, stock management and continued investment in the group's internet and social media marketing strategy

[bikerserv] 29/10/2012 10:50

Thanks JAF111 much appreciated.

[jaf111] 29/10/2012 09:37

An interim dividend of 0.8p per ordinary share is proposed. The interim dividend will be paid on 30 November 2012 to shareholders on the register on 2 November 2012.

[bikerserv] 29/10/2012 09:33

Anyone know about dividend payments/dates etc?

Thinking of selling but dont want to lose out with wrong timing.

TIA.

[this_is_me] 17/10/2012 19:40

Scrabble do you noit read what people write?

[philanderer] 17/10/2012 17:24

Read across from Vertu...


"..Also motoring higher after a well-received trading update was car dealer Vertu Motors, which served notice to analyst to bump up their full year earnings forecasts after a solid first half of the financial year. Pre-tax profit was up 26.8% to £5.2m (2011 H1: £4.1m). Underlying profit before tax rose 16.3% to £5.0m from £4.3m the year before. "

[sscrabble] 17/10/2012 17:19

no one got any ideas? loads of shares traded !

[chickcrumbs] 17/10/2012 10:12

Nice rise today, any ideas as to why?

[this_is_me] 15/10/2012 22:42

Yes new car turnover is on the up and this should see fewer discounting and greater profit on sales and increasing servicing p[rofit over the next few years.

[rhotoid] 04/10/2012 12:36

From the FT today

"For the third quarter, car registrations were also 8 per cent higher compared with the same period last year. This is the sector's strongest quarterly growth since 2001"

Looking good and Soros may have got his timing spot on.

[sscrabble] 24/9/2012 16:37

good rise today !

[jaf111] 23/9/2012 09:44

Telegraph clearly keen....now a second plug

Questor share tip: Lookers extra liquidity make them a buy

[rhotoid] 21/9/2012 14:44

Looks like latest RNS confirms part of the answer to our above questions, large chunk gone to Hambro then, not sure if they can buy on behalf of someone else without disclosing, I thought they did have to, or maybe just have to if asked not sure.

[jaf111] 19/9/2012 20:36

Nevertheless seems a pretty low price achieved by Trefick......but will await with interest to see if we have a single buyer.

[rhotoid] 19/9/2012 20:27

Ooh er
Good question ceaserxzy.

You could be correct, could be one of the other parties that was one of the concert party bidders are wanting to have another go but Trefick isn't. Presumably rns for the buyer if not mm might not be for a few days.

Personally though I just think Trefick has probably wanted to book their profits and have got another use for the capital. Would make total sense then why they've sold all at 66p - if you want it for a specific purpose you're not going to be that bothered at losing a few pence on the price.

[ceaserxzy] 19/9/2012 17:21

The interesting question is Who is buying up the 17.3% that was sold and why? A bidder in waiting?

[hastings] 19/9/2012 13:16

Jack Petchey's Trefick sold its entire holding, interesting.

[sscrabble] 19/9/2012 12:48

the 60 odd million shares were traded twice - wouldn't that be some kind of rollover ?

[whatgoesupcomesdown] 19/9/2012 12:33

65 millions shares dumped in market at 66p

[sscrabble] 19/9/2012 12:14

big drop ??

[contrarian2investor] 31/8/2012 18:01

I have placed these with a cautionary stop-loss of 68p today, just in case we have double topped. Even though I remain positive for a pop above 75p.

[simon templar qc] 30/8/2012 16:24

Looks like it may fall back due to economic uncertainties.