Biffa Share Discussion Threads

[jezboy1] 20/9/2007 18:54

Evening all - just to get a bit of discussion going on here.

can anyone (who knows this sector better than I) explain why BIFF is trading
at such a discount to its closest competitor SHANKS. On every single measure
of value (P/E, Price-to-book, debt-ratio, price-to-earnings etc. etc.) Shanks
is looking hugely overpriced or BIFF is looking ridiculously cheap.

I have been tempted with a short shanks - long biff combo. which would probably
be a logical thing to do on the basis of the numbers, but of course logic has
little to do with the market. All I can think is that there is a take-over story around shanks, but I can't find it if there is. Or perhaps its simply Shanks has been around as a autonomous company for longer?

So, would anyone explain why this curiousity exists?

[jezboy1] 20/9/2007 14:34

Mark - yep you're right it's an update and not the interims, DOH

nevermind, I still see the buy as a good thing :-) so I'm optimistic
about the update.

have a nice day.

[markinthepark] 20/9/2007 14:27

It will......this has to one of the least exposed shares on the market in terms of consumer confidence etc.....it will come good but not until the company gives some trading news next week......

[clintonville] 20/9/2007 14:25

Few months ago, the company was supposedly valued at 280p. If that was the true value, then, it would appear to be very cheap now. The low price may be due to sentiment and the company's debt. However the forthcoming legislation regarding wastes, may yet turn sentiments towards the stock.

[markinthepark] 20/9/2007 14:00

Jez,

I thought that the company was due to give a trading update by the end of September...Interim results will be published on 28 November.....

[pictureframe] 20/9/2007 08:11

Morning all ;0)

Still short, watching for the £2.16 support...gut feeling is US markets will stay flat or drop today after a couple rally days.

[jezboy1] 19/9/2007 20:11

LOL - I certainly have no problem with shorters, having done it
myself (and opened a couple today, elsewhere)- but as was seen in the
earlier share price recovery, this thing can shift if it wants too,
so I personally wouldn't short it at close to it's lowest level.

whilst we are being honest, note that (a) results are next week, (b) the Finance director bought shares (222p) in the window he is allowed to do
before results (at least a month before results are presented).

perhaps he knows something we don't :-) it certainly caught my eye.

have a nice eveing.

[theband] 19/9/2007 19:24

Even so jez, its not great.
You know, i admire pictureframes honesty, he's not like your urban guerilla shorter, coming on and saying,'this is sh.t, sell you wan..rs'. He was long and now he's short, and thats about it. Just like the naked trader but with clothes on.
Theres room for everyone in this cyber City, just as long as they are honest, like Pictureframe, The fu..ing shorter :o)

[jezboy1] 19/9/2007 15:34

p.s. er... last I looked the FTSE was up 3% and we are up 3.3%... draw
your own conclusions.

[jezboy1] 19/9/2007 15:17

I think there is still overhang to clear here, but when it does
watch you don't get burnt shorters.

[markinthepark] 19/9/2007 15:10

I'll take a pathetic 3.5% every day.....actually if you look at most companies today a rise of 3.5% here aint that bad you know......

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 14:45

;0) Im in no rush to close my short...with the FTSE flying and huge gains state side last night all this can manage is a pathetic 3.5% hhmmmmm draw your own conclusions

[markinthepark] 19/9/2007 14:29

Looks like those shorts are getting singed.........maybe, just maybe, BIFF will hold onto these gains for a change after all.......

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 10:44

Yes the NRK situation is interesting, rumour could have been started so the bidder could get the share price down before launching the bid. Personally NRK is too risky for me long or short, just to many outside factors involved.

[markinthepark] 19/9/2007 10:41

Actually it is news of a potential bid which has driven thre share price back down....apparently there is an offer being talked about but only for £1bn......looks like it's a buyers market out there for the NRK business.......as for BIFF slipping back again....yes it is quite possible but then again it could as easily out on 10-15p as lose it......

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 10:36

Should have shorted NRK from £6 ;0)

Trouble with NRK is any news of bid is going to propell the price up, to risky for shorting imho. Far safer with this as I have been in it for months now and it seems to follow a pattern. Will close out short at £2.16 , if it drops below £2.10 the re open.

[markinthepark] 19/9/2007 10:29

You should have shorted NRK......-19% today

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 10:23

thats £150 profit so far on my short

[mitzis] 19/9/2007 09:08

You could have made 40% on A& L this week if you got your timing right wish I had bought..

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 09:05

And to you mitzis. Nothing against the stock itself just the way its being driven gives the op to make a bit of £££ imho

[mitzis] 19/9/2007 08:55

good luck to you picture frame.

[pictureframe] 19/9/2007 08:55

Well I have just sold out of this for a £60 gain ;0) and now gone short, from 2.28...this wont hold its gains just watch !

Might as well make money from it somehow.

[mitzis] 19/9/2007 08:52

Everyone happier now..

[ideal420] 19/9/2007 00:49

I didn't realise the recent rise was down to rumour until after the event.

I'd nearly broke even and assumed that people had come to their senses. I could have sold out and broken even, but noooo. I look back a few days later and were back to sqr 1, and I'm down 30%.

I luv this stock. If I was going to compare thee to a lass, proper high maintenance springs to mind. Either that or, ooops forgot to get a pre-nup, and there goes 50% of my all.

Have a limb while your at it, why not, the more the merrier!

[jezboy1] 18/9/2007 23:48

what did I tell you? Uncle bernie came good :-)