Abacus Share Discussion Threads

[dumbarton2] 18/2/2008 15:39

ECM statement needed further reading in detail. If you read the statement the year before growth is starting to slow down and with the world economy set to slow its hitting the sector.

But what wonmt help is ABU PFL and ECM are highly debted.

[mesquida] 18/2/2008 11:34

Seems odd given ELECTROCOMPONENT´s reassuring statement last week, but then again there is nothing rational about these markets at the moment!

[dumbarton2] 18/2/2008 10:53

Looking like an all time low soon.

[nigelwestm] 18/2/2008 10:52

Big drop today. Anyone know why?

[dumbarton2] 15/2/2008 10:18

Markets are in a bad way and trading is down in most stocks.

[rabbrooks] 15/2/2008 10:14

Can anyone explain the continuing sales/purchases of small quantities of shares in ABU. The lack of large purchases is disappointing but i am surprised at the paucity expressed in these transactions.

[steeplejack] 31/1/2008 16:30

Never fear ,i've got some horrors lurking in the recesses of my portfolio.

[philjeans] 31/1/2008 13:20

steeplejack - that's easy for you to say ; you're on the church roof - we're down in the cemetery.

But, I agree - they've bottomed and I'm a buyer.

[dumbarton2] 31/1/2008 09:58

No I dont hold but let me give you a warning on chasing high dividends.

a. I was concered x divi the shares would fall and they have. Dont forget they are wasting money opaying high divis when they should be reducing debt.

b. ECM is a classic example of another co in the same sector. Brokers have pumped the same stock on high divis. Where has that got ECM ? No where the share price is on a 5 year low.

c. Conclusion its better management re invest any profits to pay down debts and grow the co dividends are icing on the cacke but they have to well covered.

d. If the co dont pay debts down they will struggle in a market dowturn.

e There are your answers as to why the share price is struggling.

[dumbarton2] 30/1/2008 15:18

Trouble is ABU has very high debt and the 3 months trading is nothing to go by in these markets. Things are expected to get much worse.

There are many companies out there after the the crash of late with pe ratios of 3 4 5 etc and far lower borrowings.

Thats why I think after the bounce today the share price will fall back again. It did after results and it did x dividendn despite bounces on each occasion i.e bounce then fall back later.

[oniabsta] 30/1/2008 12:06

The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period. A ratio of more than 1.00 (i.e. positive) suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months.

[value stock picker] 30/1/2008 11:44

Forecast EPS 08 - 12.4p should translate x7 = 86p = STONKING BUY.

08 slowdown perhaps but recession no, at least that's the opinion of the experts. ABU at these levels could and should be 3 bagger in 12-18 months.

Everyone would like to buy the bottom sell at the top but in practice it's very difficult to achieve so accumulating on the dips is a good strategy IMHO.

ABU can and does move very quickly so anticipating/waiting for the bottom is futile.

Remember markets over react on the downside with small caps bearing the brunt usually and the fall would appear overcooked.

[dumbarton2] 29/1/2008 10:51

Yes maybe they will elaborate on conditions getting more dificult.

[oniabsta] 29/1/2008 09:55

The next AGM is scheduled to be held at Abacus Group Head Office in Newbury on 30th January 2008

Perhaps the statement tomorrow may enlighten.

[dumbarton2] 28/1/2008 14:19

I was eying the share price before the dividend date but guessed the share price would fall x dividend and it did. Debts rather high and that is a concern in presebt market conditions. The trouble is any slowdown would make it increasingly difficult to service the debt. That is why ECM and PFL have slumped as well.

[simon gordon] 28/1/2008 10:48

Hi Guys,

ABU is now yielding 14%.

Any thoughts on what is going to happen to ABU this year?

I'm thinking:

- Rights issue.
- Taken over.
- Go bust.

[jimmycarter] 10/1/2008 14:38

Would not want to call this one at the moment. Technology stocks taking a hit. General climate is one of percieved recession for 2008. Could well fall further below recent lows??

[bletherer] 09/1/2008 12:19

phil - I'd only say it has found some support at around 55p, but it's too early to tell if that will hold. If it can get back above the 65p it managed in the Christmas rally then there would be more grounds to believe that a significant bottom is in place; but right now it's just as likely IMO that it will fall below the recent support, as the triangular pattern it's carved out since November often resolves with a continuation of the prior trend. If global recession fears continue to increase it's hard to get too bullish in the short term, on ABU or anything else.