Clarkson Share Discussion Threads

[broadwood] 10/3/2014 07:47

StockMarketWire.com - Shipping services group Clarkson said underlying pretax profit was £25.1m in the year to end-DEcember (2012: £20m), 26% higher than the prior year.

This was ahead of expectations, reflecting improved trading conditions in the fourth quarter, with activity levels across the group during December being particularly strong.

Underlying earnings per share were 98.0p (2012: 74.8p) and basic earnings per share, after the exceptional item and acquisition costs were 82.2p (2012: 85.2p).

Once again, for the eleventh consecutive year, Clarksons intends to raise the dividend paid to shareholders. The board is recommending a final dividend of 37p (2012: 33p). The interim dividend was 19p (2012: 18p), giving a total dividend for the year of 56p (2012: 51p).

Andi Case, CEO, commented:

"Despite a turbulent market backdrop, Clarksons has been consistently profitable and cash generative. This has enabled us to continue to invest in the business during these challenging times, thus ensuring that we are positioned for growth as activity in our markets resumes.

"In 2013 we grew head count to more than 1,000 people and our office network to 42 locations. One area of particular focus in 2013 was to continue the progress within Clarkson Capital Markets, where, following significant increases in revenue and cost rationalisation, the second six months showed a profit and the platform is now proving the strategy for combining financing with transactional execution.

"Our strong balance sheet has enabled us to continue to make selective acquisitions where appropriate to further strengthen our product breadth and we will continue to look to invest organically and acquisitively where appropriate.

"We remain focused on shareholder returns and are delighted to have increased dividends each year for the past 11 years."

[broadwood] 10/3/2014 07:08

Despite a turbulent market backdrop, Clarksons has been consistently profitable and cash generative. This has enabled us to continue to invest in the business during these challenging times, thus ensuring that we are positioned for growth as activity in our markets resumes.



"In 2013 we grew head count to more than 1,000 people and our office network to 42 locations. One area of particular focus in 2013 was to continue the progress within Clarkson Capital Markets, where, following significant increases in revenue and cost rationalisation, the second six months showed a profit and the platform is now proving the strategy for combining financing with transactional execution.



"Our strong balance sheet has enabled us to continue to make selective acquisitions where appropriate to further strengthen our product breadth and we will continue to look to invest organically and acquisitively where appropriate.



"We remain focused on shareholder returns and are delighted to have increased dividends each year for the past 11 years."

[ygor706] 16/1/2014 18:44

Loads of buying going on here yet the price goes down. MMs whistling in the dark imo.

[flyfisher] 11/1/2014 09:03

Broker forecasts are for about 123p earnings in 2014 , giving a forward ex-cash p/e of 14.5.
Does anyone have a brokers note for this company.

[broadwood] 07/1/2014 19:37

Fully agree with that ygor.

[ygor706] 07/1/2014 18:50

Was lucky enough to buy a few of these just before the trading update and don't see them back at £20 again. 2014 should be the first year when shipping tonnage supply and demand come back roughly into kilter since the crisis hit in 2008 so a shipping share an essential for this year in my view. Not a lot available on the LSE and this is my pick. So far so good!

[broadwood] 06/1/2014 09:40

Expects to beat full-year forecasts
- Particularly strong December trading
- Upbeat despite challenging global shipping rates

Ship broker Clarkson said it expects its full year results to come in ahead of market expectations after particularly strong trading over December.

"The global shipping markets continue to be challenging although the recent improvement in rates in some of our markets is encouraging. Against this background we remain confident that our proven strategy, underpinned by our robust balance sheet, positions the group well as we enter the new financial year," it said in a company update.

Clarkson said it has continued to deliver a positive trading performance against a challenging market backdrop.

Activity levels across the group during December were boosted by an exceptionally strong performance at its Sale and Purchase business.

[broadwood] 06/1/2014 08:06

In for a few.

[robcoo] 01/11/2013 16:47

I wonder whether news leaked the CKN was to make an announcement. This would be so rare that it might be assumed to be a profit warning.

[postiga08] 31/10/2013 17:56

no, seems very odd. dont see any bad news from company or market.

[robcoo] 31/10/2013 09:13

Here's Questor on BMS

The same factors affect CKN which makes the fall in price the more surprising.Can anyone explain it?

[vulgaris] 29/10/2013 11:28

What is going on here---- 10% fall in 2 days. No news, no parallel fall in other shipping companies

[melody9999] 01/10/2013 19:35

arja - remarkable. tried a little short after interims but exited smartly - just as well. a clear case of why you should let your winners run.

who or what is driving the price .... guess we will find out in time.

[arja] 20/9/2013 13:43

still it continues higher and who knows when or if it will top out !

[arja] 17/9/2013 15:16

up and up she goes but the thin market and low volume is a concern as any hint of bad news could make it difficult to exit ! No sign of that yet !

[arja] 01/9/2013 16:31

melody9999- the market seesms to like them still and even up on friday in a bearish market - chart is now NOR situation.

[robcoo] 19/8/2013 17:30

BMS a more attractive alternative? I hold both

[melody9999] 19/8/2013 16:22

amazing how these have flown. used to be on a single figure PE - now interims today show EPS of 41p - virtually no growth. 82p for the year gives a PE of 22 or 23.

suspect the share price needs to fall back - definitely not one to buy at present IMHO.

[hawks11] 21/6/2013 20:12

Well, like me you never invested. I was watching Clarkson for months/years and wondered why the share price was so low. Looked away and it was 50% higher and maintaining it's dividend. Magical if I had been more patient.

[malcolmsm1th] 02/5/2013 13:23

It looks as if, if I am reading the latest news correctly, that someone is buying bits of the comapny in small chunks.

[galles] 07/3/2013 22:05

Topsliced some. Got mine sub £10 so a healthy yield for my investment at least. Not a cheap stock anymore but there is more upside than downside for the sector which will help drive the price.

[spob] 01/2/2013 09:55

Sold my CKN holding today 1389p

looks fully valued right now considering reduced forecasts etc

not the bargain these were a few year ago


will watch upcoming results with interest

might buy back during a severe market panic

[spob] 12/9/2012 15:40

this company is sitting on a ton of cash

which obviously makes the true pe ratio much lower than it appears before stripping out the cash