Education Development Share Discussion Threads

[bookworm1] 23/11/2010 08:58

"In the UK our strengths lie in providing support for work-based learning and Apprenticeship programmes, areas which are attracting strong government support."

Net cash generated from operations £8.5m (2009: £8.5m).
Net cash at year end £10.2m (2009: £9.5m).

Net free cash flows - from operations after interest, tax, capital expenditure, acquisition costs, and equity payments and issues - totalled £1.8m (2009: £6.6m).

Application of funds:
Net cash used in investing activities (2,369) - acquisition
Net cash used in financing activities (3,545) - repurchase of own shares

The Group's sound financial base is enabling us to invest in our capacity and capability.

The major £2m project to upgrade our IT based administration platform is on target for completion by September 2011

Profits were in line with expectations reflecting the careful balancing of costs against the relatively modest increase in the Group's revenues

[stegrego] 23/11/2010 07:48

Reads pretty well to me.
20% eps growth in hard times....

[stegrego] 23/11/2010 07:48

Reads pretty well to me.
20% eps growth in hard times....

[dnfa1975] 23/11/2010 07:37

from statement today - challenges presented by the general economic situation and a period of political change in the UK.

[bookworm1] 08/9/2010 17:29

Some large buys going through at the end of day 1.3m at 100p

Edit: Mmm buybacks. Someone thinks that with the current year end almost finished these shares look too cheap at 100p.

[bookworm1] 01/9/2010 06:17

March investors presentation available from company website not flagged up on this board before contains some interesting slides about the market in which they operate (see slides 10 - 14 in particular). Year end 30th September.

[bookworm1] 19/8/2010 19:09

Whoops thanks for pointing that out stegrego you are right. I was waiting for the 5% so I didn't check and it seemed to fit. Also just realised the shareholding list I posted is as at 25th August (last year) so there have been a few changes in between. Has anyone kept a tally or is there a uptodate list anywhere of current major shareholders?

[stegrego] 19/8/2010 18:49

Nope - one or more of hargreave hale clients have
sold a few shares and thats taken hale below 5%.

Hale already had the holding.

[bookworm1] 19/8/2010 18:36

two announcements in one day...!

Nigel Snook acquires 15,000 at 93.5p with just over a month to go before the end of their financial year so work it out yourselves (I've been saying for ages).

Hargreave Hale Limited have taken up the 5%
2,466,350 of these shares are held in unit trusts operated by Marlborough Fund Managers Ltd so I guess they know a good earner when they see it...

So get ready for the next leg up to 200p.

[bookworm1] 16/8/2010 12:45

Polar Capital Forager Fund Limited take up 3.2%
wonder who has the other 5%?

[bookworm1] 13/8/2010 15:41

Large volume transfer of shares 5m 8.8% of share capital.

Shareholding as at 25th August per website

Shareholder % of issued share capital
Employee Benefit Trust 7.5
W Dore 6.7
J D Slater & Family 3.4
Slater Investments 5.7
Nigel Snook 5.5
Hargreave Hale 3.7
JO Hambro Capital Management Limited 6.3
Blackrock Investment Management 3.9
Invesco Perpetual 4.8

[dnfa1975] 30/7/2010 08:15

Snook sold his shares very well

[bookworm1] 26/7/2010 07:12

HIGHER education college BPP, which specialises in business and law degrees, is to become the first private provider to gain university college status in nearly three and a half decades.



Mr Willetts says that private universities will help to develop innovative ways of delivering courses, such as online degrees.

[bookworm1] 24/7/2010 05:29

Lord Digby Jones Lord Jones suggests universities should focus on more than just degrees

A radical rethink on higher education is needed and many universities should consider awarding more vocational qualifications, former trade minister Lord Digby Jones has said.

[interceptor2] 14/7/2010 13:56

EssentialInvestor

My post wasn't meant to knock your view of EDD, if you look back at post 707 in January you can see that I did have concerns after the trading update and sold my holding.

So I shared your view at that time and still remain cautious now, until I'm convinced that current fears are unfounded.

Regards ic2........

[essentialinvestor] 14/7/2010 13:30

interceptor

I made a Short term call on EDD, and the share price is down about 30% since.

If anyone was upset by this, which I very much doubt,
they must be distraught by now.

My reasoning, the increased uncertainity caused by a change of Government,
was spot on.

It was an easy call to make, and as that view had not been expressed
on this thread, thought it was worth making at the time.

From this share price level and on EDD's longer term prospects, I cannot say.

Brave perhaps to Buy now, however the best returns are often made going
against the trend, in fact it worries me when too many share my view.

[interceptor2] 14/7/2010 07:08

EI - I did sell out in January which was fortunate, but would never have shorted EDD at the time because there wasn't enough negative information. I very rarely short shares because I'm rubbish at short term timing, but I was sure RM. was a good candidate @ 160p on the day of the Government BSF Announcement. And it still is a good opportunity imv, but I wouldn't state that on the RM. thread. Why upset decent investors when it's only my opinion which could just as easy be wrong. And I have no interest or position.

Steg - Good luck, I will buy some at some stage, but will await confirmation first of little or no effects re - Government cutbacks, but also I would like to buy into strength.

Regards ic2...........

[stegrego] 13/7/2010 23:47

Jim left, whilst his son, Mark, has bought.

[essentialinvestor] 13/7/2010 22:18

Should have shorted this.

As per my previous posts the Market will want to see the
Outlook at the Full Year in November imv.

Jim looks to have timed his exit well.

[stegrego] 13/7/2010 21:29

Ive bought a few, doubt its the bottom, but seem good value going forward.

Happy for it to keep dropping, within reason!

[interceptor2] 13/7/2010 15:14

It's interesting two compare the price action of EDD against RM. since the start of the year.

EDD 140p now 93.5p = -34%
RM. 160p now 151p = -5%

RM. will be directly affected by the government stopping all future BSF contracts. And EDD to be little effected as far as the last trading statement was concerned.

Efficient market theory??????

Regards ic2........

[bookworm1] 13/7/2010 08:36

ic2 I agree with your second sentence cos I specifically asked that question at the AGM and got a similar answer. But IMO the market will remain cautious and sceptical until it sees results.

[interceptor2] 12/7/2010 22:03

I'm still keeping an eye on these because they are such a well run company.

I don't believe they will be much effected by cutbacks, but until we see proof or the issue another trading update stating again that the effect will be minimal the price will remain weak.

I find timing is difficult in situations like this, so best to wait for some confirmation first.

Regards ic2.........

[pentangle] 12/7/2010 21:28

Yes, sentiment is very much against EDD at the moment and it probably will not turn until it is very obviously cheap since the market tends to overshoot in both directions. I got out just before the budget but keeping an eye on it.