Character Share Discussion Threads

[h1a3] 28/6/2023 21:46

Very quiet board. I have not seen any recent news re CCT. The share price is going actually nowhere. Just thinking of dumping my holding.

[h1a3] 05/4/2023 22:12

It appears that Henry Spain are slowly moving to a large position in CCT. Just wondering if they are building a stake for some one? Any tjoughts?

[rossco] 22/1/2023 22:23

In the announcement on 22 December of the results for the year ended August 22 it was stated that “as anticipated at the time of the update in October 2022, trading conditions have become more challenging and sales have slowed in the lead up to Christmas.”

In the trading update issued on 20 January the shareholders are now being told that “revenue for the four months to 31 December 2022 is down approximately 42%”.

In my view a drop of 42% is not sales slowing - more falling off a cliff.

Applying the 42% fall to last year’s half year accounts gross profit would reduce GP by 9.5m turning the PBT from a profit of 6.5m to loss of 2.9m, assuming no increase in administration costs.

The directors talk about the second half of 23 rebounding strongly. I hope they are right but I don’t have confidence in that being achieved.

[h1a3] 21/1/2023 07:18

Oops. Had hoped for better response from the market to the trading statement.
I will just have to be patient and wait for the good times to arrive.

[deanowls] 21/12/2022 09:29

Would have hoped it was out by now. Perhaps tomorrow?

[h1a3] 28/11/2022 10:42

Rossco, I have held/bought/sold CCT for some 15+ years.
They have gone down to 30p and subsequently bounced back. I agree that that they a solid company company, however the market has often taken some rather strange positions on the valuation. The directors have a lot of skin 8n the company.
Hope the December update is positive in these bizarre times.

[rossco] 26/11/2022 21:43

Allenby Capital reduced their eps forecast by more than 50% for 2022/23. Seems harsh to me but I am waiting until the finals are announced in December when we should receive an update on trading from the company. Still a very solid company.

[h1a3] 26/11/2022 11:15

Is this site dead?
Recent poor share price performance and just wondering if Xmas will be a poor one for CCT?

[h1a3] 09/11/2022 14:45

Wow. A very quiet chat site.
The recent share drop is very annoying for me especially as I was thinking of selling in the buy back programme in Jan.
Inflation/strong dollar are real issues but then that is the trials and tribulations of investing,
Any thoughts about Xmas trading or is it good old doom and gloom!!!

[km18] 16/5/2022 17:34

Character Group plc posted interims last week, against a backdrop of challenging operational conditions, the Group delivered a very solid result first half result. The Group's income in the period was £90.9m, an increase of 22% over the same six months in 2021 (HY 2021: £74.5m). The profit before tax and highlighted items was £6.5m, an increase of 7.7% over the same period in the previous year (HY 2021: £6.1m). At the end of the period, cash at bank was £21.5m after a share buyback of c.£13.6m. Business is rebounding to pre-COVID levels and remains profitable. Valuation is reasonable with forward PE ratio around 13.2x, the balance sheet has ample cash, negative net debt, dividend yield is average. Share price has been trading sideways for 12 months. Certainly a share worth monitoring for now, but no rush to buy here...

...from WealthOracleAM

[orange1] 08/2/2022 09:16

So what new products did Character show off at the recent Toy Fair?

1. SpyBots T.R.I.P

Introducing SpyBots, the hi-tech security robots that give kids the tech power to create a space where they’re in control! Combining fantasy play with simple tech, kids can become secret spies with the help of the SpyBots Cybernetic Security Robots! T.R.I.P.’s invisible motion sensors provide 24/7 room security! Power up T.R.I.P. and he projects his security logo on the wall, warning trespassers that the area is under the protection of Spybots! Trip the invisible beam and trigger a screeching alarm and flashing lights. T.R.I.P. will even chase down the trespasser! T.R.I.P. is one of three Spybots Cybernetic Security Robots.

SpyBots T.R.I.P was included in the Toy Fair's Hero Toys List:

2. Peppa Weebles

A classic returns in 2022 with Peppa Weebles. There will be eight cute wobbly characters to collect in series one, as well as two-figure packs, a four-figure pack that comes with Peppa and Friends, and the feature-packed Cute Wobbly House Playset, where the Weebles can wobble up the stairs, across the wobbly floor and down the slide, before spinning around on the roundabout and swinging on the swing! There are also some cute vehicle sets that will be must-haves for any Peppa fan. There is the Push-along Wobbily Car and the Pull-Along Wobbly Train.

3. Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Dino X-Ray Heroes

Heroes of Goo Jit Zu remains a top priority for Character Options, with the brand now available globally in more than 50 territories! Launching in 2022 is an exciting Dino X-Ray theme which sees the existing Heroes go X-Ray following the discovery of a new meteor! These Dino Heroes are super gooey and feature a cool X-Ray bone filling you can see! Stretch them, Squish them and see their X-Ray bones bulge out! Included in this wave is Smashadon, the exclusive, ultra-rare character with a translucent, glow-in-the-dark X-Ray finish. With seven Dino Heroes to collect, there is something for everyone.

[capercaillie] 02/2/2022 12:00

Not sure what take up there will be with the tender offer as the share price is currently in line?

[dansaunders25] 25/1/2022 12:30

May be of interest to some:UK toy sales fell last year amid supply disruption https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60123718

[orange1] 17/1/2022 15:10

That holding is some 27k less than the holding which they disclosed in November 2020.

[h1a3] 17/1/2022 14:55

Interesting to see that Forager of USA have built up a 6.88% holding which has been announced today. That is a lot of shares and I am just wondering if a director or related party sold any but then they would have to advise the market.

[deanowls] 15/12/2021 20:19

They’ll have to be wooden ones tho!

[h1a3] 15/12/2021 19:29

Like the results.
I think CCT should send a box of Peppa Pig toys to No 10 as Boris is their new top salesman!

[sphere25] 15/12/2021 18:21

Despite the very cautious statement, interestingly the market has given a smaller company the benefit of the doubt here so perhaps a sign of some green shoots here?

"Whilst it is not possible to predict when the global logistics issues will be fully resolved, the Group is well placed to satisfy anticipated demand in its markets.

The Board believes that margins will be under pressure due to high freight rates and increased materials and labour costs, however, it is satisfied that the Group remains on target to meet current market expectations."

CCT warned earlier about these issues on the 15th September so no significant deterioration here. The market reaction here seems to suggest it might be looking through these issues because that is a very cautious statement that would normally drive more concern.

Looking out in the wider market, it is almost a given these supply chain warnings will continue, but I just wonder if this kind of move in CCT will eventually play out with others.

You get the plunge down, the bearishness and doubt. You then some stability and more confidence that the issues will pass as the market looks further out into 2022 and a gradual recovery back up.

CCT might not be the best example but keeping an eye open for more green shoots in the new year.

All imo
DYOR

[mcartdon] 15/12/2021 12:01

5 % inflation last year 35m = 1.75m profit 11m
16% of profit lost on cash, dividend 15p 1.5% whole actual shareholder dividend lost. who got free shares?

[thorpematt] 15/12/2021 11:28

Or.....


Start making toys which are made from Gold
(places little finger to corner of mouth in the style of bond villan)

-------
Chart says £7 (IMO)

[deanowls] 15/12/2021 11:22

They’ve lost nothing yet. Inflation only just kicking in. Invest it wisely or hand it back.

[gnome3] 15/12/2021 10:55

There’s a reference in the announcement to the tender offer which they’re going to look at again in January following the AGM.

[mcartdon] 15/12/2021 10:51

Yes but they just sit on it and loose 5-7% inflation each year 35m is 3 years profit and 130 p a share

[deanowls] 15/12/2021 10:18

Great results here this morning. Massively backed by cash.

[mcartdon] 30/9/2021 17:07

pretty bad low pound , to meet or distribute orders is the uncertainty might need the cash? depressing.