Signature Aviation Share Discussion Threads

[master rsi] 31/1/2003 16:31

A good move up today to 75.25p +4.5p with over 9M volume

[bantam175] 17/1/2003 14:29

Wow! Thought I'd finished with these 'til next Nov. now you guys have shorted 'em back I think I'll take another stake. Bound to rebound in Feb with full results.

£+ maybe, 80-90p at least. Money for old rope IMHO.

Good luck all.

[rainmaker] 16/1/2003 00:32

On 20 December when the share price was 67 pence I said that the share price would have a 50 % retracement/Technical reaction to 77 pence and it has moved to 82 pence. Longer term I'm very unsure-as it's very much stuck in a downtrend

Regards

[verger] 15/1/2003 22:47

Thanks RAINBOW4

[rainbow4] 15/1/2003 17:34

Verger, - BUY. IMO

Good Luck,

[master rsi] 13/1/2003 21:58

On the 10 January 2003-Deutsche Bank reiterates buy Signet (its top mid-cap retail pick), but has cut the price target to 105p from 125p.

[gumberr] 13/1/2003 14:15

loads of buys and not shifting me old diamonds!!!

[master rsi] 12/1/2003 14:05

Comment after the figures......

Tempus by Robert Cole from THE TIMES on 10th January 03
"SHARES in two retailers leapt by 20 per cent yesterday. The first move, in Safeway stock, was only to be expected after the supermarket found itself on the end of a takeover bid. However, shares in Signet, the jeweller, also rose by a fifth. And Signet leapt after nothing more dramatic than an upbeat trading statement.

Given that several of the jeweller’s rivals could do no more than report level sales, it is a credit to Signet that it made progress. However, the like-for-like sales advances of 5.5 per cent in the 48 weeks to January 4 and of 4.2 per cent in the eight weeks to December 24 are, in absolute terms, relatively modest. They are also modest in comparison with the 20 per cent leap in the value of the shares.

Signet shares have come under pressure in the past six months as investors grew concerned that retailers of luxury goods would be among the hardest hit by the weakening of consumer confidence. Some of yesterday’s price rise, therefore, can be attributed to the fact that the shares may have been oversold in the past. Before publication of the upbeat news, Signet stock traded at the equivalent of nine times prospective earnings per share, against the average for the general retail sector of 11.5.

Signet deserves to see its shares rated in line with peers, as it now does, because it has demonstrated the ability to outperform most jeweller rivals over a sustained period. Careful use of advertising has helped. So has attention to product development — the wider use of diamonds has been particularly beneficial. In addition, the company has spent time training shop staff to be better salespeople. It has also relieved shop assistants of administrative duties, which has left them with more time to sell.

It is still possible that weakening consumer spending will catch up with Signet. The dividend yield on the shares is also less than the sector average, impairing the appeal. But the stock is worth holding"

[l2e] 10/1/2003 07:37

better quality now the results are out....bit of a wild jump though....profit taking comming?.....all the best in 03

[thismonthonly] 10/1/2003 02:17

If any of you UK investors are interested in reading or posting to a US chat board, here is a link.


Memberships there are FREE until the end of January and you can start a board to discuss any stock you want there. There have been about 50 posters I know from here on ADVFN sign up this past week, so check it out.

[verger] 10/1/2003 00:21

Embargoed until 12.00 Noon (GMT)
9 January 2003
SIGNET LIKE FOR LIKE CHRISTMAS SALES UP 4.2%;
PROFITS SHOULD EXCEED MARKET EXPECTATIONS

Trading statement for Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG and Nasdaq NMS: SIGY), the world's largest speciality retail jeweller,
covering the eight week period from 30 October to 24 December 2002 and the 48 weeks to 4 January 2003.

GROUP

Group like for like sales increased by 4.2% in the eight week period to 24 December 2002. Total sales were up by 5.8%
at constant exchange rates, although down 1.3% on a reported basis due to weakening of the US dollar. In the 48 weeks
to 4 January 2003 like for like sales rose by 5.5% and total sales increased by 3.6% (8.2% at constant exchange rates).

Group profit before tax for the 52 weeks ending 1 February 2003 should exceed current market expectations and show a
solid increase on last year's level despite the impact of adverse exchange rate movements and the fact that 2001/02 was
a 53 week period. The balance sheet remains strong and net debt at the year end is expected to be significantly lower
than last year.

United States (circa 71% of Group annual sales)

In the eight week period to 24 December 2002 the US business achieved a like for like sales increase of 4.7%, total
sales at constant exchange rates being up 6.6%. Against the background of a very challenging retail environment this
result significantly exceeded the 0.8% average increase of speciality jewellery retailers in malls (source:
International Council of Shopping Centers survey 3 January 2003). After a difficult November, sales in December
recovered strongly, due in part to the timing of Thanksgiving which was one week later than last year. Jared, the 67
unit off-mall destination concept, continued to outperform the mall stores.

In a highly promotional retail environment, the business capitalised on its established competitive strengths in
merchandising, store operations and marketing and did not increase discounting compared to last year. The gross margin
is expected to have eased slightly as a result of planned changes in the merchandising mix. The credit portfolio
continued to perform well in the eight week period with the anticipated bad debt percentage being favourable to last
year.

In the 48 weeks to 4 January 2003 like for like sales increased by 5.7%, with total sales up 2.5% (8.9% at constant
exchange rates).

United Kingdom (circa 29% of Group annual sales)

In the eight week period to 24 December 2002 the UK division also faced demanding trading conditions. Total sales
increased by 4.1% and, although the business faced challenging comparatives, like for like sales rose by 3.0% with a
particularly strong performance by Ernest Jones. Diamond sales showed a substantial increase in both H.Samuel and
Ernest Jones. Gross margin is expected to be in line with last year.

In the 48 weeks to 4 January 2003 the like for like sales increase was 5.2% and total sales rose by 6.5%.

The breakdown of UK like for like sales performance is shown below:

Ernest Jones H.Samuel UK
Period (c. 12% of Group) (c. 17% of Group) (c. 29% of Group)
8 weeks to 24 Dec. 2002 +7.3% +0.4% +3.0%

48 weeks to 4 Jan. 2003 +9.6% +2.5% +5.2%
Management

Rob Anderson has been appointed, with immediate effect, as Chief Executive of the Group's UK Jewellery Division. Since
joining the Group in 2000 he has been Chief Operating Officer of that division and has helped lead the development and
progress of the business during the last 2 years. Before joining the Group Mr Anderson spent 19 years with Marks &
Spencer plc.
COMMENT
Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive, commented: 'The Group's further advance over the important eight week Christmas
period builds on the consistent growth record of the last eight years. Profit before tax should exceed current
expectations and show a solid increase on last year's level despite the impact of adverse exchange rate movements.
In the US, the fundamental competitive strengths of the business enabled it to achieve a 4.7% like for like sales
increase over the Christmas period against the background of a difficult retail environment.
The UK business also faced a demanding market place, as well as challenging comparatives, and the 3.0% like for like
sales increase in the Christmas trading period was a relatively robust performance. Ernest Jones outperformed its main
competition with a particularly commendable 7.3% like for like sales increase.'
Signet operated 1,663 speciality retail jewellery stores at 4 January 2003; these included 1,050 stores in the US,
where the Group trades as 'Kay Jewelers', 'Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry' and under a number of regional names. At
that date Signet operated 613 stores in the UK, where the Group trades as 'H.Samuel', 'Ernest Jones' and 'Leslie Davis
'. Further information on Signet is available at
www.signetgroupplc.com.
Enquiries:

Terry Burman, Group and US Chief Executive [phone]
Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director [phone]

Mike Smith, Brunswick [phone]
Tim Grey, Brunswick [phone]
There will be a conference call for all interested parties today at 2.00 p.m. GMT (9.00 a.m. EST and 6.00 a.m. Pacific
Time) and a simultaneous audio webcast at
www.signetgroupplc.com.
The call details are:

UK dial-in: [phone] Pass code: 499549
US dial-in: [phone] Pass code: 499549

UK 48hr. replay: [phone] Pass code: 499549
US 48hr. replay: [phone] Pass code: 499549

Fourth quarter sales figures are expected to be announced on 6 February 2003.

This release includes certain forward-looking information that is based upon management's beliefs as well as on
assumptions made by, and data currently available to, management. This information, which has been, or in the future
may be, included in reliance on the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the factors identified in the Company's
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2001/02 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with
the Commission on May 16, 2002. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein
may not be realised. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


I'm off to put the kettle on! Cheers everybody!

[gumberr] 09/1/2003 21:27

should be good tomorrow -can't wait to close this puppy off me old jewels in the crown!!

[master rsi] 09/1/2003 21:08

Back in the US are well up also.

Last Sale: $ 38.50 Net Change: 5.89 18.06%
Share Volume: 30,511 Previous Close: $ 32.61

[oakville] 09/1/2003 16:27

80P BROKEN, NOW IT CAN BREATH AGAIN.

[rainbow4] 09/1/2003 16:27

Bought 50K at 65.5 this morning at opening and sold at 80p just before closing,
How I wish, will propably get a few eternity's tommorow.........??

[oakville] 09/1/2003 16:03

NICE TO SEE YOU IN GUMBERR..........

[verger] 09/1/2003 15:53

Surely if the mms are happy to absorb such a big difference in buys/sells, they must be confident that the buying interest will continue and the price rise will continue. No dip, so far.

[superprick] 09/1/2003 15:52

the man on the street called it...in my previous post 24th december 2002 and 3rd January 2003, I observed how busy the H.Samuels outlets were..the results proved me right...
lets hope this share gets back to where it belong £1 plus

[gumberr] 09/1/2003 14:58

I am in me old diamonds at 75.74p - hope the rise continues onwards me old jewels in the crown.

[yf23_1] 09/1/2003 14:26

OK, I admit it, their results are better than I expected.
But I do note the trend is lower and group sales "although down 1.3% on a reported basis due to weakening of the US dollar".
Because they did not discount more than last year, a continuing down trend in consumer confidence, the discount threat will still overhang the shares.

[me_cynic] 09/1/2003 13:43

An excellent set of results which shows how good the group has performed
despite lower consumer confidence in the US and UK.
Shows good management with the right strategy assuming there is no accounting
fraud going on.
BUT will the trades reflect the facts.
The downtrend for now I think will have been halted but it needs a 75p+
close.

[me_cynic] 09/1/2003 13:09

Looks like Signet has done it again and posted better sales than last year
although the dollar weakness will still knock profits.
Anyone think that the bear trend in this stock has ended? or will we have
to wait for an above 75p close?.