Barr (a.g.) Share Discussion Threads

[cambium] 28/1/2010 13:50

AG Barr fizzes ahead
Business Financial Newswire
Soft drinks group AG Barr said sales over the final quarter have exceeded internal expectations following continued strong performances from its carbonate brands.

The maker of Irn-Bru said it is anticipated that total sales revenue will reach £200m by the end of the financial year 2009/10.

This represents annual growth of over 20% adjusting for last year's 53rd week.

The soft drinks market, as reported by Nielsen, increased by 2% in value terms in the twelve months to end December 2009.

AG Barr said despite continued volatility in input costs margins have held up well following significant efforts to control costs and improvements in product mix.

Due to these strong results it is anticipated that full year profit will be ahead of market expectations.

AG Barr and Rockstar Inc have announced today an extended 10 year sales and distribution contract for the Rockstar Energy brand in the UK and Eire. The Rockstar brand launched in the UK in 2007 has proved very successful and this new agreement, underlines the partnership and commitment of both parties to the long term development of this exciting brand in the UK.

The previously announced c.£10m capital investment at the company's Cumbernauld site will therefore proceed with immediate effect. The main capital spend will be spread over financial years 2010 and 2011 with a small balance in 2012. The closure of the Mansfield production site will take place in early 2011 and the outsourcing of a proportion of our primary logistics functions will proceed over the course of 2010. It is expected that we will incur one off exceptional charges in financial year 2009/10 of c.£3m and a further £0.5m in financial year 2010/11 associated with these plans. It is anticipated that there will be limited impact to underlying 2010/11 financial performance and the operating cost benefits of the investment are expected to feed through in financial year 2011/12.

A further detailed update will be given in the preliminary announcement scheduled for 22nd March 2010.

Roger White, CEO, commented: 'The business continues to outperform the market. We have successfully integrated the Rubicon business adding to the growth momentum while continuing to improve sales of our existing core business.

'It is our plan to continue to invest across our business in assets, brands and people while maintaining our focus on cost and efficiency.

'2010 will be a challenging year with significant internal change to manage on top of a continued uncertain economic outlook. We remain confident in our approach and the capability of the business to deliver against these challenges.'

[cambium] 21/1/2010 12:24

nice read over from NICL this morning

[cambium] 08/10/2009 19:15

proof that liquidity works :o)

[cambium] 05/10/2009 19:52

spot the difference!

[cambium] 05/10/2009 19:50

A.G.BARR p.l.c. the soft drinks group announces its interim results today for
the six months ended 1 August 2009.


Key Points


* Total turnover versus the comparable period up 27.1% at GBP104.7m (2008 -
GBP82.4m).
* Like for like turnover stripping out the acquisition of Rubicon increased by
11.5%.
* Profit on ordinary activities before tax increased by 19.5% to GBP13.50m (2008 -
GBP11.26m).
* Strong free cash flow in the period of GBP11.0m.
* Net debt of GBP25.5m significantly better than forecast.
* The IRN-BRU brand grew revenue by 6.5%, with particularly strong market share
gains in England and Wales.
* Rubicon has grown sales on a like for like basis by 22% - contributing GBP12.8m
sales revenue in the period.
* Rubicon integration delivered earlier than planned with little disruption and
minimal cost.
* Interim dividend of 6.25p per share, a like for like increase of 7.8% post share
split.





Commenting on the results Chief Executive, Roger White, said:


"We are pleased to report a strong financial performance in a period of
continued economic uncertainty. We have benefited from some better year on year
weather, although not the previously forecast "barbecue summer". In the period,
sales momentum across our portfolio has continued to gain pace. Strong
performances from all our core carbonates brands and some real momentum behind
the Rubicon brand have delivered excellent revenue growth.


The early integration of the Rubicon business has gone to plan and is now
beginning to deliver further opportunities to grow the brand across a wider
front. The acquisition has, to date, been financially enhancing to our business
and is also improving our overall business balance across product sectors and
geographically.


As a consequence of our increased focus on cash across the business we have
delivered strong free cash flow and improvements in our net debt position ahead
of expectations.


Comparative sales growth in the second half of the year is more challenging than
that of the first half, however we believe we are well positioned to meet our
expectations for the full year."

[cambium] 29/9/2009 08:26

Key Points


* Total turnover versus the comparable period up 27.1% at GBP104.7m (2008 -
GBP82.4m).
* Like for like turnover stripping out the acquisition of Rubicon increased by
11.5%.
* Profit on ordinary activities before tax increased by 19.5% to GBP13.50m (2008 -
GBP11.26m).
* Strong free cash flow in the period of GBP11.0m.
* Net debt of GBP25.5m significantly better than forecast.
* The IRN-BRU brand grew revenue by 6.5%, with particularly strong market share
gains in England and Wales.
* Rubicon has grown sales on a like for like basis by 22% - contributing GBP12.8m
sales revenue in the period.
* Rubicon integration delivered earlier than planned with little disruption and
minimal cost.
* Interim dividend of 6.25p per share, a like for like increase of 7.8% post share
split.





Commenting on the results Chief Executive, Roger White, said:


"We are pleased to report a strong financial performance in a period of
continued economic uncertainty. We have benefited from some better year on year
weather, although not the previously forecast "barbecue summer". In the period,
sales momentum across our portfolio has continued to gain pace. Strong
performances from all our core carbonates brands and some real momentum behind
the Rubicon brand have delivered excellent revenue growth.


The early integration of the Rubicon business has gone to plan and is now
beginning to deliver further opportunities to grow the brand across a wider
front. The acquisition has, to date, been financially enhancing to our business
and is also improving our overall business balance across product sectors and
geographically.


As a consequence of our increased focus on cash across the business we have
delivered strong free cash flow and improvements in our net debt position ahead
of expectations.


Comparative sales growth in the second half of the year is more challenging than
that of the first half, however we believe we are well positioned to meet our
expectations for the full year."

[ariesr] 21/9/2009 17:22

What happened?

Ah....share subdivision.

[cambium] 18/9/2009 15:01

awesome performance

[cambium] 03/9/2009 13:39

subdivisio effective 21 sep

[cambium] 18/8/2009 09:10

wonder why they have gone for a joint broker? anyone know why?

[typo56] 05/8/2009 08:59

Quite a favourable statement from NICL this morning.

[cambium] 08/7/2009 13:22

ooh hello!

[cambium] 23/4/2009 13:31

buy on the trend

buy low sell high

[cambium] 30/3/2009 19:05

Irn Bru maker AG Barr said turnover increased by 14.4% to £169.7m in the year to January 31st 2009.

Profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptional items increased by 9.7% to £23.4m (2008 - £21.3 m).

The underlying business showed growth up 6.6% after adjusting for the acquisition of the Rubicon business and the 53rd week.

The group proposed a final dividend of 30.4p per share to give a proposed total dividend for the year of 42.0p per share, an increase of 7.7% over the previous year.

IRN-BRU and Diet IRN-BRU revenue increased by almost 8% - growing in all territories.

Core carbonate brands and still juice brands both grew well ahead of the market.

Cash flow remained strong generating £18m of free cash flow in the period, with lower than anticipated net debt of £31.3m and long term banking facilities in place.

Barr said integration of the Rubicon business into core operations is well underway.

Orangina Schweppes Group has agreed a new 6 year Orangina franchise deal, it added.

Roger White, CEO, said: 'Over the last 12 months we have seen substantial growth in both sales revenues and profit despite a further summer of poor weather and the difficult economic environment. We are now benefiting from our continued investments in brands and people as well as the restructuring activity which we have undertaken in recent years.

'Despite the challenging economic climate our business is financially strong and well capable of continuing to deliver sustainable growth.

'Like for like sales in the first seven weeks of the new financial year are ahead of the same period last year.'

[nephie] 06/2/2009 18:25

nice find cambo

[cambium] 05/2/2009 08:42

A.G Barr IRN-BRU'S PHENOMENAL NEW RUGBY LEAGUE SPONSORSHIP
IRN-BRU today announced details of two exciting new partnerships with two major UK sports brands. The iconic brand is the official new soft drink sponsor of the Rugby League until 2010. IRN-BRU also announced it is the new broadcast sponsor of Sky Sports' Super League coverage for 2009. The sponsorship with Sky Sports and Rugby Football League will raise the profile and visibility of IRN-BRU reaching over 10 million viewers through the 60 live games broadcast during the season. Becoming the Super League's new soft drink sponsor and Sky Sports' broadcast partner complements part of IRN-BRU's strategic efforts to continue growing the brand and supporting its aim to become the UK's most popular flavoured carbonate. Adrian Troy, Head of Marketing at A.G.Barr said: "IRN-BRU is enjoying strong growth in the market and with these two new partnerships we look forward to another successful year.

[cambium] 08/1/2009 18:52

A.G. Barr PLC:
* Revenues in period July 26 to Oct. 25, 2008, up 15.5 pct compared to the
same
period last year.
* Like for like sales, taking out the effect of the Rubicon acquisition,
increased by 7 pct.
* Total revenue for the financial year to Oct. 25, 2008, increased by 8.9
pct
with like-for-like sales, adjusting for Rubicon, up by 6.2 pct.
* Operating margins continue to be in line with expectations, despite input
costs remaining volatile in the period.
* It is now anticipated that we will end the current financial year with a
better-than-projected net debt position.
* Trading remains in line with our expectations.

[cambium] 08/9/2008 17:28

The earnings-enhancing acquisition of exotic
juices maker Groupe Rubicon and news that group revenue remains around 4 percent
ahead of last year prompted a 5 pence rise in AG Barr, at 1,156-1/2 pence.
In response, Altium reiterated its 'buy' stance on the stock, pointing out
that the deal is earnings-enhancing by about 2 percent in its first five months
to January 2009 and around 5.5 percent in its first full year in FY 2010.
Furthermore, the acquired company includes some 2 million pounds of cash and
3 million pounds of working capital, the broker added.

[martylangan] 15/7/2008 09:49

Any reason for the share price drop this morning?

[nephie] 12/6/2008 16:04

A.G. Barr Plc. said its revenues for the first
13 weeks of the financial year increased by 4 percent year-on-year and its
trading outlook is in line with expectations.
The soft drinks company also said its operating margins were in line with
expectations with continued pressure from rising raw material prices being
offset by product price increases and further improvements in material usage
implemented during the period.
The company said its revenue rise for the 13-week period is a strong
performance, especially when compared to an 11 percent like-for-like performance
in the same period last year, which was boosted by above average weather and the
positive impact of promotional phasing.
Barr also said its trading in May has seen the benefit of some improved
weather. However, it continues to assume that it will experience average weather
conditions across summer this year.

[nephie] 20/5/2008 16:49

Soft drinks group AG Barr Plc. said it has
started the year well, with revenue for the first 15 weeks ahead of the same
period last year.
The Irn-Bru and Tizer producer said trading conditions are competitive
across the category but added, at this early stage, it remains confident of
another successful year.

[paxton208] 14/5/2008 18:43

I bagged myself a few more of these yesterday

[cambium] 23/4/2008 10:10

This is now sitting on its lowest historic PE for over 7 years now.

[nephie] 16/3/2008 22:25

March is here .......