AEC Education Share Discussion Threads

[triguy] 23/12/2010 16:54

That makes two of us, T-rex, just need another 8p!!!

[tyranosaurus] 23/12/2010 16:20

A sign of life in this dog.
Any more upwards movement and I will be trying to get out.

[stegrego] 13/12/2010 08:13

Yup,

Should have sold half an hour after i bought these....
Was up over 50% in that time, but never been in profit since!

Good riddence.

[interceptor2] 13/12/2010 07:17

Steg - Just as well we sold when we did now?

Profit warning..........

[interceptor2] 10/12/2010 20:02

When I sell a share at a loss I always write down any mistakes. This time I only got my selling half right, I sold 50% @ 18.25p after the last disappointing interims, and then waited a few weeks and sold the rest @ 13.5p. I should have sold the lot on my doubts about the last Interims.

But I think the lesson has been learnt now, and have sold out of my positions since with CCS & PTS, on slightly disappointing news. Both sales proved well timed.

I was also glad to be out of AEC, because their are some really good oportunities at this time, like KBT which I recall you are already in.

Regards ic2.....

[stegrego] 10/12/2010 12:24

Decided to sell these.

The governments recently announced 'stopping 100,000 foreign students entering UK each year', specifically those not on degree courses, is likely to impact Malvern House possibly quite badly or at least to a degree (no pun).

Its been a complete dog of a share anyway, so glad to be out.

Will rocket now, but looks like possible bad news on the way to me.

[interceptor2] 12/11/2010 13:48

I had wanted to buy into Eros for some time now, and believe todays results should be a good entry point for me.

One thing that always frustrated me was a lack of updates from AEC, no trading updates, and they never updated the market with correct results dates. I often had to ring the company and ask for reporting dates.

I will keep an eye on the next results in the hope of a better H2.

Regards...........

[stegrego] 12/11/2010 12:50

Whats the new company interceptor? EDIT - Seen it EROS - been in there since 77p ;)


AEC is trying my patience too - been holding nearly 2 years and and am 50% down.

Looks good on paper (the company) but they dont seem that keen on giving shareholder value, hence all the shares almost given away last year at 12p time and time again.

[interceptor2] 12/11/2010 09:15

Sold my last holding here today.

Because I brought into a new company today, I was holding too many company's and had to make room by selling my weakest holding.

On the brightside, at least I can use my losses here against capital gains.

Regards......

[interceptor2] 04/10/2010 17:08

We could do with some positives with AEC. With this in mind I.C had a buy rating and think the H1 results look like a one off. Hope they are right.

[interceptor2] 03/10/2010 21:37

W H Ireland 290910 Buy
2010 profit = 1.6m and eps = 2.4p
2011 profit = 2.0m and eps = 3.0p

At least they remain positive, but as mentioned by KingJames AEC must prove they are able to convert increased revenue to earnings.

[kingjames] 30/9/2010 22:31

As a shareholder I would not be keen on any further acquisitions until management proves they can increase shareholder value through acquisitions.

Thoughts?

[interceptor2] 24/9/2010 14:55

I see what you mean with price falling due to 3 sell transactions on plus.

It's such a frustrating company with so much potential, and is placed in what should be an ideal growth area.

I'm happy to wait now that I have reduced exposure here.

Can't really complain, as this is the first company reporting this month to dissappoint, so I will give it another chance.

Regards ic2.............

[stegrego] 24/9/2010 13:09

Held up well yesterday but not so far today.

Im on the fence here - seems to be a great space to be in but never really produces the goods.

Major dilution at 12p in recent times has taken its toll.

Will continue to hold, but would have sold had it hit 20p.

[interceptor2] 24/9/2010 09:10

The statement yesterday seemed positive, and I still think they are an exciting prospect. My only concern was the increase in admin expenses with a reduction in gross margins. Which they explain has been in part, caused by bedding in last years acquisitions. So hopefully H2 should be a stronger performance.

It was encouraging that the price held up well with only small selling pressure yesterday.

I did reduce my holding by half yesterday, and will wait for Finals until I add to holdings if results are good.

Regards ic2..................

[interceptor2] 24/9/2010 09:00

HB Markets seem positive........

AEC Education (AEC, 19.5p, £8.62m)

AEC Education (AEC, 19.5p, £8.62m) Interims to June 2010 saw revenues increase to £8.64m (£3.21m) including £5.24m from the UK based Malvern House acquisition in the period, leaving underlying growth at a very respectable 5.8%. PBT was more disappointing at £0.34m (£0.39m) with EPS of 0.7p (1.3p). Malvern House saw its PBT reduced by some £0.25m by the UK Government Border Agency action on student visas. The group ended the period with £2.24m net cash, down from £3.02m at the year end, reflecting a £1.32m adverse movement in working capital. Outlook remains positive with the group seeking acquisitions to accelerate its growth, including improving links with UK universities. Sitting on a 7.5x prospective PER the group remains a BUY with a 23p price target. (Julian Tolley)

[pre] 23/9/2010 08:08

nice:-)))) revenues up 169%:

AEC Education PLC
("AEC" or "the Company" or "the Group")

Unaudited Results for the Six Months ended 30 June 2010

AEC Education PLC, the provider of educational courses up to postgraduate degree
level in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, and London and the facilitator of
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry ("LCCI") examinations/qualifications in
Asia, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the six months ended 30
June 2010.

Highlights

� Strong progress in first half - although some short term challenges
- significant investment in the business

� Revenues up by 169% to GBP8.637m (2009: GBP3.208m)
- includes full six month contribution of GBP5.244m from acquisitions
completed in 2009

� Profit before tax of GBP346,000 (2009: GBP403,000)

� Profit after tax of GBP338,000 (2009: GBP385,000)

� Earnings per share of 0.7p (2009: 1.3p)

� Net cash of GBP2.41m (30 June 2009: GBP3.15m)
- new banking facilities of GBP0.9m agreed

� Integration of major acquisition of Malvern House completed - ongoing
investment in H2

� Flagship Singapore centre awarded 4 year EduTrust Certificate in Sept
2010
- one of only 11 private education institutions to be
accredited currently

� Based on current trading, Board remains confident of outcome for the full
year


Commenting on results, Liam Swords, Chairman, said,

"AEC continues to make very encouraging progress albeit the first half presented
some challenges for the Group. Revenues for the first half have more than
doubled against the same period last year, principally reflecting the first full
six month contribution from Malvern House, the London-based English language
education provider, acquired in July 2009.

To support our growth plans, we have made significant investment in the
business over the first half and we will be making further investment over the
remainder of the year. The development of our university relationships is a
particular area of interest to us.

Demand for our business and vocational offering across Asia remains buoyant and
interest in UK university qualifications and English language learning also
remains high. We are investing in strengthening our marketing and systems
capability which will stand the Group in good stead as it moves into new markets
and territories.

Alongside organic development, we are continuing to seek acquisitions, which are
synergistic and easily integrated. The Board remains very positive about
prospects for the business and looks forward to providing a further update in
due course."

[interceptor2] 16/9/2010 09:00

I don't normally take much notice of awards etc.

But I think this one is important. It gives confidence in AEC finanances and standards, and should lead to easier access to Singapore government services, and additional contracts. And faster processing of student visas.

Hadn't realized there were 1000 private education institutions in Singapore. Could be an area for consolidation ?

I still believe the potential for AEC is very exciting, and once the story catches on (next interims?) we will see a rapid price advance here. imo.

Regards ic2.........

[pre] 16/9/2010 07:58

well done AEC management...extract from rns this am:

Chief executive of AEC, David Ho, commented,

"The EduTrust Certificate is a prestigious award and we are delighted to have
received it. The award is testimony to the quality of the education programmes
we provide at our flagship education centre in Singapore as well as the rigour
of its systems and operations. It will no doubt enhance our reputation as we
seek to expand our student numbers in Singapore and elsewhere."

[tyranosaurus] 09/9/2010 19:41

Good to see some movement.
I`ve now added a link to the PlusMarket trades to my favourites.

Looking forward to the interims as there`s not much news flow on this one.

[interceptor2] 09/9/2010 19:03

Good to see the price up on continued buying this week ahead of the Interims. Every transaction this week has been a buy, with a fair number of chunky ones going through today and yesterday.

I see no reason why the interims will be nothing but very strong, so hopefully the kick start needed to get the price moving.

I have Monday 20th September as the estimated date, but dont bank on this being the correct date. They are poor at giving notice of results.

I will give them a call soon to find out.

Regards ic2............

[davydoo] 01/9/2010 22:29

This was just drawn to my attention today, so only done some basic research, but the interims are due this month, and are going to appear stonking to the comparable period due to the Malvern House acquistion, which should generate plenty of comment.

[interceptor2] 01/9/2010 09:57

Growth figures using WH Ireland forecasts 30 June 10, from TDW site.

I do wish AEC would give future reporting dates, and regular trading updates.