African Battery Metals Share Discussion Threads

[steelman48] 15/2/2007 19:10

What does anyone make of the recent director dealings? The CEO sells 88,000 at 243.5

and the employee benefit fund buys the same amount at the same price.

Does this mean that the director sold direct to the fund ?

[ariane] 13/2/2007 05:59

Profits up at pawnbroker


Phillip Inman
Monday February 12, 2007
Guardian Unlimited


Pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond today posted profits for the first six months of the year up 16% to £3.9m following a surge in migrant workers and people refused bank accounts using the service.
The company, which has 76 shops providing loans using gold as security, said they were mainly used by customers in social groups D and E and those from Africa and the Indian subcontinent who often kept their wealth in gold.


Article continues

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Workers from the former eastern bloc countries had also driven the company's growth.
A cheque cashing facility was popular, it added, along with a business in micro loans that customers often redeem within a few days.

[drago] 12/2/2007 10:15

thanks ariane,

good progress on the opening front

[deadly] 12/2/2007 09:31

What's the point of wasting all this space when the info is available in the header?!!!

[ariane] 12/2/2007 08:55

Albemarle & Bond Hld Albemarle & Bond H1 pretax profit up 16 pct


LONDON (AFX) - Pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC reported a
first-half pretax profit of 3.88 mln stg against 3.34 mln in the same period
last year and said it is increasing the interim dividend by 17 pct to 1.75
pence.
The company said turnover increased to 17.33 mln stg for the six months
ended Dec 31, 2006, up from 14.93 mln in the same period last year. Operating
costs rose to 8.05 mln stg from 6.54 mln a year ago.
Albemarle reported across the board growth, with retail sales increasing by
18 pct, while income from pawnbroking grew by 28 pct. Income from cheque cashing
rose by 4 pct and income from pay day advances by 11 pct.
Albemarle said it has bought one shop and opened two new greenfield sites
since December and that it intends to open three more shops before the end of
the year.

[e-mail]
tsm/amb

[ariane] 12/2/2007 07:03

Albemarle & Bond Hld Interim Results


RNS Number:0435R
Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC
12 February 2007


ALBEMARLE & BOND HOLDINGS plc

ANNOUNCES

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006


Enquiries:


Charles Nicolson Chairman Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC 0207 131 8112


Greville Nicholls Chief Executive Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC 0118 955 8100


David Pattinson Finance Director Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC 0118 955 8100


Susan Wallace Company Secretary David Venus & Company LLP 01372 465 330


Josceline Grove Public Relations Consultant 07896 495839 or
0207 131 8112

Nick Reeve Solomon Hare LLP 0207 131 8112



Date of issue: Monday 12 February 2007



PAGE 1



12 February 2007


Dear Shareholder


INTERIM REPORT 31 DECEMBER 2006


I am delighted to report that profit before tax for the period increased by 16%
over the same period last year to #3.88m from #3.34m. Earnings per share have
increased by 15%.

Income from pawnbroking grew by 28%, income from cheque cashing by 4% and
income from pay day advances by 11%. Retail sales increased by 18% with an
improved gross margin and Speedloan income by 15%. Overall, gross profit
increased by 21% and operating profit by 17%.

During the period we acquired one shop and opened two new greenfield sites.
Since December we have acquired one shop, opened two new greenfield sites and
plan to open three more before the year end. In addition we will relocate one
branch to a bigger and better site and complete a substantial refurbishment at
one other branch.

In recognition of the continuing strong performance your board believes it is
appropriate to increase the interim dividend by 17% to 1.75p per share (2005:
1.5p). This will be paid on 29 May 2007 to shareholders on the register at 27
April 2007.

Unaudited results of your company for the half year ended 31 December 2006 are
set out overleaf together with corresponding figures for the previous year.


Yours faithfully,




CHARLES NICOLSON
CHAIRMAN



Our website can be found at www.albemarlebond.com



PAGE 2


Albemarle & Bond HOLDINGS PLC

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

Six months Six months Year ended
ended 31.12.06 ended 31.12.05 30.06.06
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
#'000 #'000 #'000
TURNOVER 17,334 14,930 29,496
COST OF SALES (4,866) (4,630) (7,808)
--------- --------- -------
GROSS PROFIT 12,468 10,300 21,688
OPERATING COSTS (8,052) (6,536) (14,089)
--------- --------- -------
OPERATING
PROFIT 4,416 3,764 7,599
INTEREST (536) (423) (933)
--------- --------- -------
PROFIT BEFORE
TAX 3,880 3,341 6,666
TAXATION (1,164) (1,002) (1,896)
--------- --------- -------
PROFIT FOR THE
FINANCIAL
PERIOD 2,716 2,339 4,770
========= ========= =======

EARNINGS PER
SHARE - BASIC 5.87p 5.10p 10.42p
- DILUTED 5.72p 4.96p 10.17p







PAGE 3




NOTES:


1. The figures for the six months ended 31 December 2006 and 31 December 2005
are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts.


2. The figures for the year ended 30 June 2006 are abridged from audited
accounts approved by shareholders on 3 November 2006 and lodged at
Companies House and on which the company's auditors Solomon Hare Audit LLP
gave an unqualified opinion.


3. A copy of this announcement is being sent to shareholders and is available
at the company's registered office.


4. Earnings per share have been calculated based on the profit after tax
and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the half year
ended 31 December 2006 of 46,263,639 (31 December 2005 -45,893,098; 30
June 2006 - 45,791,306). The diluted earnings per share also include
weighted average unexercised share options at 31 December 2006 of 1,178,262
(31 December 2005 - 1,240,421; 30 June 2006 - 1,094,160).


5. Taxation is based on the unaudited results and provision has been estimated
at the rate applicable to the company at the time of this statement.


6. Dividends approved on 3 November 2006 were paid on 29 January 2007.
Interim dividends of 1.75p per share (2005: 1.5p per share) will
be paid on 29 May 2007 to members on the register at 27 April 2007. This
dividend has not been included within the results for the six months to 31
December 2006.







PAGE 4






ALBEMARLE & BOND HOLDINGS PLC


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


31.12.06 31.12.05 30.06.06
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)

#'000 #'000 #'000
FIXED ASSETS 7,932 7,425 7,740
-------- -------- --------
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock 9,144 8,751 7,479
Debtors 26,863 22,633 25,304
Cash at bank and in hand 2,192 2,286 1,663
-------- -------- --------
38,199 33,670 34,446
-------- -------- --------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank overdraft and other loans (250) (300) (520)
Trade creditors (290) (569) (772)
Corporation tax (1,192) (1,141) (909)
Dividend payable (1,495) (1,225) -
Other creditors including tax (358) (167) (221)
and social security
Finance leases and hire purchase (85) (56) (105)
Accruals (330) (375) (278)
-------- --------- --------
(4,000) (3,833) (2,805)
-------- --------- --------
NET CURRENT
ASSETS 34,199 29,837 31,641

CREDITORS DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
Finance leases and hire purchase (91) (65) (123)
Bank loan (17,042) (15,433) (15,531)
Provision for liabilities and (174) (230) (226)
charges -------- -------- --------
NET ASSETS 24,824 21,534 23,501
======== ======== ========
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Share capital 1,870 1,853 1,861
Share premium account 3,939 3,801 3,847
Capital redemption reserve 1,018 1,018 1,018
Other reserve (116) (121) (116)
Profit and loss account 18,113 14,983 16,891
-------- -------- --------
24,824 21,534 23,501
======== ======== ========




PAGE 5



ALBEMARLE & BOND HOLDINGS PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Six months Six months Year ended
ended 31.12.06 ended 31.12.05 30.06.06
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
#'000 #'000 #'000
NET CASH
INFLOW FROM
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES 1,781 2,512 5,770
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS &
SERVICING OF FINANCE
Interest paid (459) (360) (904)
Hire purchase interest (20) (6) (15)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS
AND SERVICING ON FINANCE
TAXATION (479) (366) (919)

Taxation paid (933) (702) (1,855)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
Payments to acquire (767) (778) (1,542)
tangible fixed assets
Receipts from sale of - 16 220
tangible fixed assets -------- -------- --------
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES ACQUISITIONS (767) (762) (1,322)
Payments to acquire
businesses (368) (4,851) (4,837)
Cash acquired with
acquisitions 5 136 136
-------- -------- --------
Net cash outflow from
acquisitions (363) (4,715) (4,701)
EQUITY DIVIDEND PAID - - (1,928)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE
FINANCING (761) (4,033) (4,955)
-------- -------- --------

FINANCING
Decrease in hire purchase loan (52) (28) (107)
Exercise of share options 101 100 159
Net increase in secured loans 1,241 4,538 5,381
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH INFLOW FROM
FINANCING 1,290 4,610 5,433
-------- -------- --------
INCREASE IN CASH 529 577 478
======== ======== ========



PAGE 6

END


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
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[nielsc] 31/1/2007 23:17

And to think that I was worried about buying them after a rise to the 130p mark back in 2005.

I took some profit a while back, but the remaining ones I hold I am going to let run. I was also in the IVA market. Feel pretty lucky I am out of that market altogether after almost doubling my money on DFD.

Cheers,
Niels

[8 ball] 31/1/2007 23:12

Another new high today

[steelman48] 31/1/2007 16:21

A director and an employee exercising options pushing it to new highs it seems. I'd rather see em buying at the market but at this time, just before the interims, a director buying by whatever means can only bode well for the first half results I feel. Wish I'd got some 45.5p options.

[waldron] 29/1/2007 08:36

i am but a pawn in the great game of things

good luck

[one for the money] 29/1/2007 08:11

waldron

Useful site

Cheers
john

[8 ball] 10/1/2007 23:20

I am 50/50 Invested in both too.

The profit made on ABM bought my H and T stock.

My first ABM purchase was 75p don't think HAT will show that return but it pay's to spread your investment.

This is still a good sector to be in.

[one for the money] 09/1/2007 18:10

8 ball

Yes, good results from HAT. ABM has the steadier base with the US-link that may be relevant to what happens next, but HAT is a new (to the market, anyway) and vibrant share.

I'm not sure which is going to be better long term, so i've 'hedged my bets and bought into both!

Cheers
john

[8 ball] 09/1/2007 17:42

Pawnbroking company H&T Group PLC said it expects its full-year operating profit before exceptional items to be about 10 pct above consensus market expectations due to a "particularly strong" fourth quarter. The company said it has opened six new stores and acquired two stores in the South East of England in the second half of the year, taking its total number of stores to 77 at Dec 31, 2006 from 68 a year ago. H&T will report its preliminary results for the year to Dec 31 2006 on the March 20.

[8 ball] 12/12/2006 18:27

I am still happy to hold on to this, I just wish H and T was rising with ABM.

Maybe the first set of results will re value it alongside ABM.

When I split my Pawnbroker holdings 50/50 between the two they were both £1.80 a share.
H and T still is £1.80 and ABM up 60p

[one for the money] 11/12/2006 11:25

Drago: I've put the link at the bottom of the header

Cheers
john

[drago] 11/12/2006 10:42

sorry to be lazy, but can anyone post the dividends from the last few years, please
thanks in advance

[steelman48] 08/12/2006 15:24

Ah yes, tradition, I like tradition. The 30k I'm sure was a buy, there's a 34K there now too, both above the nms so get reported late, this is relatively quite a big volume day for ABM.

[one for the money] 08/12/2006 13:43

Probably nothing special - still trading in the rising channel but never fails to make you sit up now'n'again.

I suppose those batch of trades of a few thousand shares each between 11.00 and 11.45 this morning were enough to move it up in small steps. I guess it is a tip from somewhere, but it all happened very quickly. And then there is the 30000 protected 'sell' (a buy, maybe, from earlier?), which hasn't moved the price back down (yet!).

As ever its moving on small volume and keeping up those old ABM share price movement traditions!

Cheers
john

[steelman48] 08/12/2006 12:54

it just woke me up John .... something afoot?