Cvs Share Discussion Threads

[lomax99] 02/8/2018 08:10

'expects that the further benefit of the acquisitions made during the year ended 30 June 2018 will add significantly to the profitability of the Group. Further acquisitions are expected and the Board is confident of good progress across all of the Group's divisions.'

SP over reaction IMO.

[lomax99] 02/8/2018 07:18

Solid update, acquisitions continue apace.

[hkre3] 31/7/2018 11:57

Pre-annoucement jitters or a leak? Dignity share price stable today. No other reason?

[lomax99] 20/7/2018 11:23

Doubt it, suspect other reasons.

[hkre3] 20/7/2018 11:15

Hmmm. Is that suspicious news with the years numbers released in 10 days?

[lomax99] 20/7/2018 07:49

New FD (why?), results soon (sometime w/c 30 July).



Promoting VETS:

[lomax99] 17/7/2018 19:32

New veterinary centre planned on Keele University's campus, a joint project to help train/recruit a future generation of vets.Https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/major-plans-unveiled-north-staffordshire-1784383

[lomax99] 12/7/2018 13:59

A 'partnership' with an equine veterinary practice in Ireland:

[lomax99] 03/7/2018 09:55

Long overdue.....

[its the oxman] 03/7/2018 08:37

Closing in on 1200p

[lomax99] 18/6/2018 13:49

The Times today:

Global giants see profit in all creatures great and small

Mars is among several multinationals looking to consolidate the veterinary industry


Alf Wight’s tales of life as a country vet in Yorkshire, written under the nom de plume James Herriot, could not be further from the corporatisation consuming the veterinary market, yet proposals by CVS Group to open a pet hospital a stone’s throw from the author’s former surgery suggest the gap is closing.

CVS, which wants to convert a former pub in Thirsk into a 24-hour animal hospital, is one of a gaggle of groups consolidating the independent market, although this month’s assault by Mars, the confectioner, on the European veterinary market has led to speculation that CVS could become a target for the American company. In the past fortnight Mars, which owns Whiskas cat food, has made two incursions into the European veterinary market, acquiring Anicura, a Swedish provider, from Nordic Capital for about €2 billion (£1.75 billion), and Linnaeus, a British company, for an undisclosed sum — estimated at £450 million — from Sovereign Capital.


Mars Petcare said that Europe was the “next natural step” because it was home to about 200 million pets. Poul Weihrauch, president of Mars Petcare (and owner of Twixie the labrador), said: “As the second largest region in the world for petcare, European petcare is expected to grow significantly.”;

Anicura has 200 animal hospitals and sales of SwKr4 billion (£345 million) last year. Linnaeus runs 87 pet centres and employs about 1,400 people, including 360 vets.

Although Mars, which is still owned by the founding family, is best known as a confectionery and food group, it has owned
a pet-food business since 1935, with brands such as Iams, Pedigree and Royal Canin.

Charles Hall, an analyst at Peel Hunt, said: “We would expect Mars to aim to be No 1 in Europe and see these two deals as the first steps. Mars will probably continue to add individual businesses to add scale to Linnaeus, and having bought Anicura will probably look to acquire another of the majors to achieve its overall ambitions. Mars is not afraid of paying up, having paid $7.7 billion for VCA Antech, the largest US vet care business, last year.”

Mars is tipped to consider making an approach to Vet Partners, controlled by August Equity. The group has more than 2,900 staff at more than 260 sites.

In 2016 Mars looked at Independent Vetcare (IVC), then the third largest veterinary group in the UK with almost 300 sites, when it was put up for sale by Summit Partners, but it was taken over in an estimated £580 million deal by EQT, a Scandinavian private equity firm, which merged IVC with its existing Evidensia business, operating across Northern Europe.

According to analysts, pet owners are forming stronger ties with animals, to some extent because of the trend towards later marriages, having children later in life and higher divorce rates. Owners are also opting for more complex medical treatment to prolong the lives of their cats and dogs. Mars has launched a $100 million venture capital fund aimed at backing start-ups focusing on areas from nutrition to genetics.

Figures suggest that British pet owners spent £4.2 billion last year on veterinary and pet services, roughly twice as much as in 2005. This has transformed UK veterinary practice ownership, such that by the end of this year half of Britain’s practices could be in corporate hands, rising to 70 per cent in five years.

Another company seeking to capitalise on these trends is Pets at Home, Group, which as well as selling pet products at its 448 stores, has vet practices and grooming salons at many of them. Last month the group said that it had 461 practices, of which 309 were in its stores and 152 in standalone locations run by joint venture veterinary partners, as well as four referral centres. Its hybrid concept has yet to convince, however, with its shares still languishing at half its 245p flotation price four years ago.

One problem on the horizon for the industry is finding enough vets to cope with expansion. In November CVS said that it needed to increase salaries to attract vets and nurses, particularly in the light of Brexit, leading it put up charges and potentially hitting volumes.

[lomax99] 12/6/2018 14:41

Move gaining momentum, long overdue.

[elway1] 09/6/2018 13:58

Mars clearly paid up(big time)for Linnaeus. Hence CVS creep up last week. CVS should be at 12 quid within a month.

[lomax99] 08/6/2018 10:17

Here is a link re the Mars acquisition of Linnaeus





A bite sized morsel, the FD at Linnaeus knows CVSG well, having held the same position there.

[elway1] 07/6/2018 23:30

This now looks cheap believe it or not. Mars just bought biggest competitor for record sums it looks like.

[lomax99] 04/6/2018 15:50

What's with today?!?

Surprised this is still below the recent placing price.

[rob762243] 04/5/2018 14:35

What's with today?!?

[lomax99] 02/5/2018 17:43

Risk more to the upside I suspect, should see full year contributions from the 62 surgeries acquired/integrated throughout FY ending June 2017. If this breaks below 800 I am doubling my holding!

[hkre3] 02/5/2018 12:46

It seems the rate of cvs practice aquisition has already slowed right down which is a tad worrying given the 40 million raised by their options in Feb. I’m guessing July will be a mixed bag. Improved profit but down on growth due to slower acquisitions compared to last year. A similar report to pre Christmas. Hopefully not as I guess the above scenario would sent it down to <800

[lomax99] 02/5/2018 09:00

Interesting article on the consolidation/corporatisation of the profession:



C. 30% (1650, out of c. 5,500) practices are in the hands of the 4 largest players.

I wonder if CVSG will give an interim update on acquisition progress before their usual trading update in late July.

[lomax99] 29/4/2018 18:23

Personally happy to stick with it.

[r ball] 29/4/2018 18:19

Down on placing price. Avoid

[lomax99] 29/4/2018 16:43

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust has just released their annual report, CVS is their 4th largest holding and they comment: 'Earnings growth has been strong for several years and we expect this to continue.'Https://www.oilandgas360.com/blackrock-smaller-companies-trust-plc-annual-financial-report/

[lomax99] 03/4/2018 16:21

Adding here, see BlackRock have added another c 2.6m shares at a healthy discount to the recent placing price.

[wilsonst1] 02/4/2018 12:36

Article in Times today about a vet drug supplier , vetplus , being blackballed and unable to supply IVC, the largest vet practice owner in UK. Doesn't read too well for CVS as they seem to slaughter their model for profit and more profit.