Axis-shield Share Discussion Threads

[hotfinance14] 11/1/2011 11:52

We all know this should be plus £4 per share.

[shroder] 11/1/2011 11:40

still way off brokers targets

[shroder] 11/1/2011 07:54

Today's Independent,

Axis Shield

Our view: Buy

Share price: 270p (+7p)

Axis Shield issued what by all accounts was a positive pre-close update yesterday. Ahead of its results, the medical diagnostics group, which manufactures testing kits, said it was expecting to post strong growth, with revenues likely to exceed £100m for the first time.

There was also some good news for income investors too, with Axis saying it is set to announce a maiden dividend in respect of the year to the end of December. Cheered by the news, the shares moved up, gaining more than 6 per cent at one point in the session.

The thing is that, even after trading up last night, the stock remains around 9 per cent off the recent peak in mid-October. This means that, at current levels, the shares trade on multiples of around 15 times forecast full-year earnings for this year.

But, when measured against the forecasts for 2012, that figure eases to less than 12 times, according to Peel Hunt. The numbers make little sense in light of the company's prospects in our view. The market for diagnostics is a growing one, not just here, but in emerging markets – an area where Axis is already active. Moreover, Axis boasts a strong balance sheet. The market is too bearish about this stock. Buy.

[slaterlp] 11/1/2011 04:11

The following from the above link sums it up nicely dont you think?

Quote begins ------- "Conclusion
In conclusion, longer term, I think growth prospects are good with PoC and Lab divisions. Short term, they are falling behind targets with Afinion. The Lab division is still under uncertainty and Direct Distribution has question marks against its business model. Moreover, this company is not demonstrating the ability to give accurate guidance.

I like their longer term growth prospects, but will prefer to stay out until these short term threats are resolved. There is upside from a severe flu season and resumption to growth but I don't like buying stocks in which the uncertainty is rising not falling" ------------ End quote.



In the meantime, now whilst the share price rise is certainly welcome, it is not a one way bet that it will be sustained long term or even for that matter for the next few months. A bit of goodish news and a broker upgrade always sends this up a little, only for it to fall back again later. So get ready to trade is my advice.


And, as regards the maiden dividend. IT IS NOT A PROMISE. Far from it in fact.

Quote from the ASD. ----- "Dividend. In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, and dependent on the final results for 2010, the Board believes that it will be in a position to recommend a maiden dividend in respect of the year ending 31 December 2010." End Quote.

BIG GET-OUT CLAUSE.
"In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, and dependent on the final results for 2010,------ "

Yeah right. Heard it all before. I Wont believe it until the divi is announced, not potentially proposed.

Meanwhile if the share price does continue to rise, to a level that suits me, I will again dump all my cheaply bought stock and await the next lovely fall to cheap speculative levels.

[shuisky] 11/1/2011 01:45

Some thoughts on this statement here...

[hotfinance14] 10/1/2011 15:24

I hope they sit quietly for two years then bid £20 per share.

[jpjp100] 10/1/2011 14:59

I hope that there aren't too many people too heavily short from too high on this one

its too subject to being moved upwards by a little good news and/or a (potential) bid to be short of imo

but then I could easily be wrong

[jpjp100] 10/1/2011 14:52

damian - 10 Jan'11 - 07:14 - 3435 of 3442
Good trading statement Record revenues and a promise of a maiden Divi !.

+1

I just hope that if anyone is thinking of bidding for ASD, they either do it quickly at a tenner a share, or sit quietly for a few more years.

[hotfinance14] 10/1/2011 13:53

A 380p target price...that is a lot of upside.

[nellie1973] 10/1/2011 13:00

Broker upgrade

[shuisky] 10/1/2011 10:07

Haven't looked closely at these numbers yet, but is this

' NycoCard™ revenues are expected to be slightly lower versus 2009 - a consequence of the poor influenza season (2008-2009 winter period) and planned conversion to Afinion™ in certain markets.'

an error? Surely they mean the 2009-2010 winter period?



ASD presenting at JPMorgan Healthcare Conf, 8:30 (Pacific) Jan 13

[hotfinance14] 10/1/2011 08:37

Thats the only target they missed...but 9,600 will suffice.

[wjccghcc] 10/1/2011 07:57

Though I think they missed their target of 10k Afinion placements by the end of 2010.

[shroder] 10/1/2011 07:55

Should provide a good foundation for this weeks JP Morgan presentation.

[damian] 10/1/2011 07:14

Good trading statement Record revenues and a promise of a maiden Divi !.

[doc robinson] 10/1/2011 07:11

sounds very good

[shroder] 10/1/2011 07:07

maiden divi proposed..

Key Performance Highlights

· Trading during 2010 is expected to be in line with Board expectations.

· Strong revenue growth: total revenues expected to exceed £100 million for the first time in the Company's history, an increase of approx 6% compared to 2009 (adjusting for the disposal of Plasmatec).

· Sales, excluding third party distribution and Plasmatec, are expected to have increased by approx 9%.

o Point-of-Care Division sales expected to increase by approx 15% (2009: £42.6 million)

o Laboratory Division sales stable versus 2009 (2009: £22.6 million excluding Plasmatec)

o Direct Distribution sales of third party products are expected to be at the same level as last year (2009: £30.5 million)

· Axis-Shield continues to build its franchise in HbA1c testing through Afinion™, NycoCard™ and AxSYM®xtra with revenues up approx 30% (2009: £17.1 million).

[hotfinance14] 07/1/2011 14:56

What are you expecting bubble and squeak ?

[bubbleandleek] 07/1/2011 14:31

Numbers on Monday should have more of an impact chaps ;-)

[shroder] 07/1/2011 12:24

Good volume today with aggressive buying, may well provide a good base for next week -

[shroder] 07/1/2011 11:28

They have this JP Morgan do next week, hopefully they have something to positive in their presentation.

[cumnor] 07/1/2011 10:49

I'm sure he is, HF. Which is why I think ASD, with hugely important tests like their RA one which has massive potential worldwide, will be taken out by the likes of Abbott sooner than later. The market clearly thinks differently, or not at all. imo