Character Share Discussion Threads

[spooky] 10/5/2019 09:23

Valuation looking a little stretched......really?

[h1a3] 10/5/2019 00:06

Hi All,
Today IC said the following: It might explain the fall.


IC View

Inventories have risen in line with sales and the group has kept a tight rein on receivables. Character’s shares have taken off in recent months and now trade at the top of their 12-month range. This has left the valuation looking a little stretched, and while we have faith in the core portfolio, we think a little profit-taking may be in order. Sell.
Last IC View: Buy, 516p, 4 Dec 2018

[runthejoules] 09/5/2019 10:54

Definite hold for me here.

[undervaluedassets] 09/5/2019 08:58

chunky results...

trades on a modest multiple

[campbed] 09/5/2019 08:33

Nice interims with more growth to come.

[capercaillie] 09/5/2019 07:34

Nice cash level

[mcartdon] 09/5/2019 07:32

24% uplift in earnings per share and 18% dividend increase, pretty positive trading news pokemom and peppa pig growing and popular, all round positive results .
6.50 target

[h1a3] 02/5/2019 21:52

Cbdrelief, sorry wrong forum for your punting of CBD.
CCT has been quiet and hopefully we will hear some positive news soon.

[mcartdon] 01/5/2019 10:54

Results next Thursday 09 may, will tell the target next. The market has been set free to rise slowly instead of holding still for 4 years, encouraging

[mcartdon] 18/4/2019 23:02

a substantial dividend hike would be appreciated as they have not bought back much and carry a lot of cash .
unless they have a great use for it to expand or gear up growth significantly

[deanowls] 18/4/2019 11:18

They had a bad H1 last year due to toysarus. I’m expecting sale to be up around 20 % and profits up 50% on last years soft measures, they continue to raise the dividend each half so continue to be a happy holder. Results were mentioned as beginning of May.

[campbed] 18/4/2019 10:54

No posts here for nearly 2 months but it looks like there is buying of the shares and a long awaited re-rating going on.

[tkamp] 28/2/2019 13:51

Absolutely. Single most important near-term driver for CCT's profits. A 'positive' Brexit outcome would be great for CCT: GBP would likely rally and it'd be a boost for consumer confidence.

[mcartdon] 28/2/2019 12:24

rise in pound best news for character, profit will rise

[mcartdon] 05/2/2019 19:06

Are we getting there finally, breakup? its starting to look likely, the target of 625 looks possible.

[orange1] 24/1/2019 19:10

Thank goodness for that. What would we do without toys?

[deanowls] 24/1/2019 17:24

Goes to show how many toy companies out there.

[orange1] 24/1/2019 13:14

It´s also time to look forward:

The Peppa Pig stage playset is one of the Toy Fair’s Hero Toys, a list of the 25 most exciting and creative toys launched at Toy Fair.

[orange1] 24/1/2019 13:08

The London Toy Fair is in full swing and it´s awards time:

Each year the Toy Retailers Association announces at its annual awards ceremony at the London Toy Fair, not only which toys were most successful in the previous 12 months, but also which suppliers have performed best amongst their peers. At this year's gathering, Character Options was awarded the coveted "Supplier of the Year" Award for the excellent standard of service to its customers.

Jon Diver, Joint MD at Character, commented:

"The Character Options team strives to give the best possible service to its customers whilst also supplying the highest quality and most sought-after children's toys. We are delighted, therefore, to be recognised with this Supplier of the Year Award."

In addition, Soft 'n Slo Squishies was announced the winner of the Craze of the Year category. In an industry where trends are so dominant this brand was a top performing item and one of the best sellers for Character Options in 2018.

Two further Character Options brands received recognition with nominations in the categories; Peppa Pig in pre-school and Bubbleez as another brand in the craze category.

To watch the interview with Character discussing the ranges being shown at the Toy Fair please follow this link:

[tkamp] 20/1/2019 12:35

Thanks for sharing Simso

[simso] 20/1/2019 12:07

I attended the AGM on Friday. The Full Board plus advisors were in attendance, and around 10 private shareholders. A really good meeting, with vast majority of the time spent answering our questions, and the "formal business" and voting part dealt with very quickly. The Board also stayed afterwards to talk to shareholders.

I was very happy with progress, and prospects look good. Particular growth drivers include the new Pokemon range...where sales will hopefully kick in from May when the eagerly awaited film is released. They seemed extremely confident on Peppa, describing a "gorgeous" product range to coincide with 15th anniversary. The TOY R US issues mostly impacted the States, clearly affected the first half of last year most fundamentally. Stil some ongoing but decreasing impact, and the Board seemed very confident of a good lift in performance in States in H2 19. They also seemed very happy with the Proxxy acquisition, and the prospects for increasing Sales with the backing of CCT's infrastructure and networks.

One shareholder asked "What is your greatest wish for 2019?" and the CEO answered "$1.40 to the £1!!" While CCT generally hedge a year forward, it was a timely reminder of how sensitive the business is to $ rate...given a cost of goods sold of around £70m all paid in dollars, while 70% of sales are in sterling. I crudely calculate that a +/-10% currency swing on £ v $ is £3m-£4m of annual PBT...and a note in the annual report (which isn't very clear!) seems to corroborate this.

While Management Remuneration here is very high for the size of business, I continue to believe this is a very well run business on a lowly rating, where earnings convert beautifully into free cash, and with an excellent Balance Sheet. Good Building Blocks on place for further growth in 2019 and beyond.

[tkamp] 18/1/2019 08:49

Trading update reads positively, although it is pretty light on detail. It does seem pretty obvious that they are back on a (firm) growth trajectory again. Only question now is what kind of growth rate are we talking about (e.g. 5%? 10%? 20%?)

[mcartdon] 18/12/2018 11:40

Christmas trading news at AGM news at TOY fair feb, ~results update march results June usually.

[runthejoules] 18/12/2018 09:35

Anyone know When next results or ti are likely or due (at work!)
Ta x