Ashley (laura) Share Discussion Threads

[dm1] 13/9/2010 08:34

I've just bought in.

[swaganeer] 13/9/2010 08:29

I expect ALY to be around 10% higher by close of play

[dm1] 13/9/2010 08:15

Laura Ashley Sails through the Rough Economic Climate

The 'uncertain', consumer environment is the reason why, in spite of the thriving performance of the like-for-like sales, Laura Ashley still remains cautious.

The sales have reportedly increased by 6.2pc over the period along with the rise in dividend to 0.5p per share, in comparison to last year which was 0.25p. The sales over the internet are said to have seen a growth by 63pc.

With its 225 UK stores, Laura Ashley has seen a very momentous growth in its first half, in its furniture, home accessories, decorating items and fashion sales.

Dr. K P Khoo, the chain's Chairman asserted that in spite of the rough economic climate, the brand Laura Ashley had managed to survive and not only just survive, but also exhibit the sales growth of the brand for all products indicating the importance of their multi channel strategy.

"Our home fragrances include candles, room perfumes, pot pourris and diffuser sticks. We introduce a new fragrance from the range each season and it continues to prove very popular", said Nick Kaloyirou, Chief Operating Officer.

Laura Ashley has 233 franchises abroad and it plans further expansion in South Korea and Jersey. The introduction of two new services are said to have brought about growth for the Company. These two services entailed made-to-measure furniture coverings and made-to-order bespoke furniture.

[dm1] 13/9/2010 08:14

Wait until buys show on the offer.

[theband] 13/9/2010 08:06

Blimey, i was 100% sure this would open at least 2 up

[minho] 12/9/2010 15:44

It is quite possible that tomorrow or later this week it will stay over 20p with reasonable dips and highs.The reason for this is very solid x two results plus the extra held in cash .This is only my opinion, not to be taken as investment advice. Many are of the opinion that LAURA ASHLEY are worth £250 million plus. AIMHO.

[philmac56] 12/9/2010 11:57

32p would be welcome in my portfolio, anytime
See what developes on Monday & beyond

[scotsman2] 12/9/2010 11:10

32p broker target, still 100% upside then

[minho] 12/9/2010 09:11

There is no doubt about the bright future of LAURA ASHLEY. No debt. Expanding, China. S.KOREA. E.U. U.K.INTERNET sales.Millions in the Bank. HUGE DIVI, best on the market.Need anyone say more, Shorters now getting burnt. Another NEXT or better.?? In my opion LAURA ASHLEY will outstrip many other retailers, and bring in huge profits in the future. It is there in BLACK and WHITE. Just shows what good management can do for a company.

[swaganeer] 11/9/2010 17:19

from Telegraph:

Numis Securities said that Laura Ashley had produced a "strong" first half and was "making progress across its categories".
The broker added: "With gross margins ahead, and operating costs well controlled, we see clear upside to full-year forecasts."


from Grauniad:

Ramona Tipnis at house broker Numis, who has a target price of 32p for the shares, said the good numbers from Laura Ashley reflected a positive sales performance and improved margins across all divisions.

Margins were boosted by less promotional activity but also a strong product offering requiring little promotional activity to move stock.

She highlighted a good performance fromm mail order and ecommerce, which now accounts for 12% of UK retail sales. Within this mail order was down 7.3%, which was more than compensated for the 22.5% growth in ecommerce. The number of registered customers too is up 27% on the previous year at 416,000.

Numis is at this stage keeping its full-year forecasts unchanged at £14.7m.

[philmac56] 11/9/2010 08:51

Western Mail, Natitional Welsh paper

[tullynessle] 11/9/2010 06:55

Daily Mail...

[tullynessle] 11/9/2010 06:53

Independent today.....



Laura Ashley, purveyor of floral patterned prints to the nation, has shrugged off the uncertain consumer environment to put in a "thriving performance" in the first half.


The home furnishings and fashion group saw growth across its products in the first six months of the year, with pre-tax profits up 10-fold to £10.5m. The total was boosted by a one-off £4.8m property gain, but also by a 63 per cent leap in online purchases. Furniture enjoyed the biggest growth with like-for-like sales up 9.2 per cent, followed by decorating, up 7.1 per cent.

The chain, which has 225 stores in the UK and 233 franchises abroad, is looking to expand further with new stores set to open in South Korea and Jersey. Chairman KP Khoo said: "In a difficult economic climate, Laura Ashley has continued to demonstrate the strength of its brand."

[minho] 10/9/2010 19:45

I did say a few posts back that Laura Ashley was about to explode. I must say the accounts were kept tight from news leaks. Now the truth is out,this could start to trade a lot more,the figures are a serious exposure of just what is happening at Laury Ashley for real. I have done my bit here ,must bow out now for a while.

[scotsman2] 10/9/2010 19:22

As mentioned before look at all the web vacancies they have. this company is going places !!

[scotsman2] 10/9/2010 19:16

a lot more interest here now, happy days !

[chris coxon] 10/9/2010 18:24

That was a nice surprise to come home from work to.
Roll on the Sunday Papers!

[minho] 10/9/2010 17:32

Absolutely hilarious,I thought there might be a spike up at close, some times I get it right. What will monday bring now we had a good auction at close??

[swaganeer] 10/9/2010 16:46

Yeah, spike up happened in auction - LOL

A second and final Price Monitoring Extension has been activated in this
security. The closing auction call period is extended in this security for a
further 5 minutes.
Following the first price monitoring extension this security would still execute
more than a pre-determined percentage above or below the price of the previous
automated execution today. London Stock Exchange electronic order book users
have a final opportunity to review the prices and sizes of orders entered in
this security prior to the auction call execution which will set today's closing
price.

[minho] 10/9/2010 16:38

The last trade is more than interesting, wait for Monday.15.75 ask.

[swaganeer] 10/9/2010 16:29

Day traders getting out, good buying opp for anyone else. Should spike up on Monday.

[minho] 10/9/2010 16:10

Spike up at end of days trading? Missing this price now could be expensive for future investors .Market cap should be at least 200 Million minimum. Still the expansion of ALY will sort that out.

[scotsman2] 10/9/2010 15:35

news in the weekend press may tempt more buyers in next week, we'll see!

[minho] 10/9/2010 15:35

It really is a good feeling to be part of a really well run company, with Directors and Staff putting in so much honest effort, all helping to increase sales of wanted merchantdise,and increasing profits.

[scotsman2] 10/9/2010 15:34

can someone change chart to show volume ?