Ashley (laura) Share Discussion Threads

[srpactive] 06/10/2014 15:34

No that is why we got the special dividend.

[bobby.ifa] 06/10/2014 15:32

Sorry wasn't suggesting ASOS were interested in ALY, merely observing a fellow retailer were up. I'd have thought ALY would be too boutique for ASOS. Only thought I've had is that the pre-dominantly Malaysian management team would take them private as they have large equity holdings & it was muted a while back.
Does anyone know if we still hold Moss Brothers as ALY bought a load about 3/4 years ago?

[srpactive] 06/10/2014 15:27

Interesting as JB at the IC hates aly and loves asos.

Could asos want a high street presence?

regards

active

[bobby.ifa] 06/10/2014 15:10

ASOS were up 5% earlier, retailers in favour?

[srpactive] 06/10/2014 15:06

It will not imho.

[scottishfield] 06/10/2014 14:06

Perky here today if it holds. Any reason anyone?

[orchestralis] 23/9/2014 22:09

I did and have now sold out. Will buy back in if it drops ready for next divi.

[thorpematt] 23/9/2014 21:44

you can say that again!

[orchestralis] 22/9/2014 18:04

Surprised this didn't drop back after XD date.

[orchestralis] 22/9/2014 18:04

Surprised this didn't drop back after XD date.

[thorpematt] 08/9/2014 09:42

This one is like a plant in the Atacama. It never grows.

On the other hand the desert doesn't send money back to shareholders so there is that.

So with no growth I value it at 29p/share.

...

...hang on, no wait...it's growing.

ALY is growing.

Growing I tell you. It has online sales and everything!

!

...


...

35p then.


28p now.


Better buy some.


Where's that chart....wait there I'll be back...

[scottishfield] 05/9/2014 16:56

hi phil, tks for that. I'm here really for the divi, I figured that it may bob about a bit, but any growth is a bonus. perhaps I should add.

[srpactive] 05/9/2014 16:15

Philanderer

That is mine aswell.

Do not forget here, there has been talk by management of
finding a partner to enter china with, now if that was to
happen with a couple of hundred franchised stores would be
closer to 70p rather than 35p.

I think we will see aly in the thirties next week.

dyor

regards

active

[philanderer] 05/9/2014 16:12

Afternoon sf, I`ve been watching this one for ages :-)


Cantor Fitzgerald Europe reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Laura Ashley Holdings Plc (LON:ALY) in a report issued on Friday. They currently have a 35p
target price on the stock.

[scottishfield] 05/9/2014 14:34

Article on iii

==========================================
Investing in Laura Ashley becomes fashionable
By Lee Wild | Fri, 5th September 2014 - 13:18
Investing in Laura Ashley becomes fashionable

High street retailer Laura Ashley (ALY) is back in fashion, it seems. But while the previously out-of-favour clothes and furniture store grew smartly during the first half, neither the clothes nor the furniture sold particularly well here in the UK. Still, these results were better than expected and demand has continued to improve in the past few weeks.

Overall, total UK retail sales rose by 3.8% in the six months ended 26 July to £124.6 million, and like-for-like retail sales were up by 1.2%. That's not bad considering total sales were down by 0.9% in the first 19 weeks of the year and like-for-like sales had risen by just 0.7%.

Pre-tax profit jumped by almost 15% to £8.5 million, and increased by a still-respectable 9% even when you strip out £0.4 million of store closure costs the year before.

But clothes sales at Ashley's 208 UK stores still fell by 2.6% over the six months, although did inch up by 0.1% like-for-like, while furniture sales fell by 2.2% and 1.2% respectively. On the flip-side, home accessories grew by 2.9% and 4.3%, and sales of fabric and curtains rose by 0.8% and 1.3%.

Thankfully, the international business is thriving. By the end of July there were 296 franchised stores around the world and half-year franchise and licensing revenue grew by 13.6% to £17.1 million, driving profit up 9% to £6.6 million.

Business certainly appears to be on the turn, and like-for-like sales in the five weeks since period-end are up 8%, most likely due to last month's cold snap fuelling demand for autumn clothes and winter woollies. That takes the gain for the year so far to 2.3%.

Freddie George at house broker Cantor Fitzgerald remains a fan. He still reckons Ashley will make a pre-tax profit of £20.5 million for the year to January, giving earnings per share of 2.14p. As usual Christmas will be crucial, but at 27p, Ashley shares trade on a forward price/earnings ratio of 12.6, a discount to the sector.

George reckons they'll end the year with net cash of £24 million worth about 3p per share, too. It's currently £13.8 million, worth 1.9p per share. Adjust for cash, and the earnings multiple falls even further. He even thinks the dividend is sustainable, implying a yield of more than 7%.

There's no argument, that does look cheap and the income is certainly attractive. All Ashley has to do is keep growing overseas and outperforming an incredibly tough UK retail market. Watch this one closely.

This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

==========================================

[clocktower] 05/9/2014 11:01

Great results and even looking better going forward. I hope to see further growth in the Hotel sector however it is managed, as the brand would add considerable value to a chain of hotels.

[irnbru2] 05/9/2014 09:55

active,

Yes but still to be confirmed.

In mean time, a nice rise in the sp, never mind the divi.

[scottishfield] 05/9/2014 08:58

Good. Pleased with this.

[srpactive] 05/9/2014 08:47

I think we have spoke before about that point,
I think the board know a bid is coming so get a
position elsewhere.

dyor

regards

active

[irnbru2] 05/9/2014 08:31

Still does not explaine why all these people are reetiring off the board.

[irnbru2] 05/9/2014 08:30

Summary



· Total Group sales up 4.9% to £144.0m (2013: £137.3m)

· Like-for-like retail sales up by 1.2%

· Profit before taxation up £1.1m (14.9%) to £8.5m (2013: £7.4m)

· Profit before taxation (excluding exceptional items) up £0.7m (9%) to £8.5m (2013: £7.8m)

· e-Commerce revenue up by 6.1%

· International business up by 13.6%

· £13.8m net cash balance

· Second Laura Ashley Hotel launched

· Interim dividend maintained at 1.00 pence per share (2013: 1.00 pence per share)

· Trading for the five weeks to 30 August is up 8% on a like-for-like basis, taking the cumulative like-for-like performance for the year to +2.3%.





Commenting on the results, Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Peng, Chairman, said:



"In what continues to be an extremely competitive sector, we are pleased to report an increase in profit before taxation of 14.9% and sales growth of 4.9% over the first half compared to the same period last year. We are particularly pleased with growth of 13.6% in our international business and with the improved performance of our e-Commerce business. We are very proud of the second Laura Ashley hotel, The Belsfield, which was launched at the end of July 2014 to both customer and media acclaim.



We look forward to the rest of this year with confidence in the strength of our brand, in the quality of our products and in the loyalty of our many customers. We will continue to develop our international presence as well as focusing on our UK retail business with continued enhancement of our website, for both our domestic and international customers, and improvements to our store portfolio."

[orchestralis] 05/9/2014 08:11

Good interims and 1p divi in Oct.