Foresight Share Discussion Threads

[dumbarton2] 08/3/2008 10:13

Dead cart bounce buyers been stuffed.

[stockscreeners] 07/3/2008 13:07

turning down again.

[gswredland] 04/3/2008 20:01

Thanks for that Steg.

[stegrego] 04/3/2008 18:23

GCI

Focus Solutions - BUY
Companies: FSG
04/03/2008
Maiden first-half profits from Focus, a provider of software services for the financial sector, point to good progress but a diminished share price is undermining its ability to make acquisitions.

Chief executive Richard Stevenson, who has pulled the underperforming company up by its britches over the past two years, says recent weakness in the share price needs to reverse before he will consider using paper for acquisitions. 'We're there or thereabouts. We still want to fill in a few gaps in our offering.'

Stevenson has broadened the Leamington Spa-based company's focus from pensions and life assurance into banking, mortgages and the public sector, as well as expanding the software's capabilities. This helped Focus to deliver a reversal from losses to profits before tax and interest of £400,000 for the six months to September, as sales grew by 43% to £4m.

While Focus is increasingly looking to sell its services as single products, as opposed to selling bespoke solutions, the latter remains its bread and butter – it recently secured lucrative further work with HSBC to build its wealth management system. Meanwhile, the first client to move to the 'focus:360°' product is mortgage network Homes for Choice, whose £820,000 minimum contract in March represented a huge validation of the product's potential. Focus hopes to continue converting the pipeline of existing clients and outside opportunities, which is, says Stevenson, 'stronger than ever'.

At current levels, Focus looks oversold on wider sector concerns and forecasts from new house broker Daniel Stewart imply you can pocket shares for only 6.4 times full year earnings. They offer good recovery potential. Buy.

[greek islander] 03/3/2008 23:48

UK-Analyst Tips.com this evening:

"Shares in Focus Solutions (FSG) jumped 2p to 36p after the financial software specialist signed an 820,000 pound deal with with mortgages network Home of Choice for its focus:360degrees software. The contract is to upgrade Home of Choice's existing technology that enables the recruitment, registration and support of new intermediaries joining the network. "We have seen significant interest in the new product from various sectors in the market and we look forward to future successes," said chief executive Richard Stevenson. "

[ged5] 03/3/2008 08:43

These are just the start. Bigger one's to come hopefully.

[greek islander] 03/3/2008 07:56

That's two contract win announcements in a few days. Things looking up!

[cockneyrebel] 03/3/2008 07:43

As Tesco say - every little helps :-)

CR

[welsheagle] 03/3/2008 07:18

Contract Win




RNS Number:1423P
Focus Solutions Group PLC
03 March 2008

3rd March 2008

Focus Solutions Group
A leading provider of proven enterprise solutions to the financial services
market.
("Focus" or the "Group")

Contract Win

Focus Solutions is pleased to announce the signing of a new contract for Focus'
innovative new product focus:360degrees with Home of Choice, a leading mortgage
network, for a minimum of £820,000. The contract for focus:360degrees is to
upgrade Home of Choice's existing technology solution that enables the
recruitment, registration and support of new intermediaries joining the network.

focus:360degrees, the end to end enterprise platform for financial services
distribution, will provide additional functional elements to the Home of Choice
Ignition solution.

John Ahmed, Marketing and Commercial Director, Home of Choice, commented:

"We have worked with Focus for a long time and have found them a most reliable
and valuable business partner. Following a comprehensive review of the relevant
solutions available in the market place, focus:360degrees is the most
functionally advanced and adaptable solution that could meet all of our
requirements and timescales. We are delighted to be continuing our relationship
with Focus and look forward to rolling out the solution."

Richard Stevenson, Chief Executive, Focus Solutions, added:

"I am delighted that Home of Choice has once again chosen Focus to provide them
with their new strategic distribution platform. We have seen significant
interest in the new product from various sectors in the market and we look
forward to future successes."

[welsheagle] 03/3/2008 07:18

Contract Win




RNS Number:1423P
Focus Solutions Group PLC
03 March 2008

3rd March 2008

Focus Solutions Group
A leading provider of proven enterprise solutions to the financial services
market.
("Focus" or the "Group")

Contract Win

Focus Solutions is pleased to announce the signing of a new contract for Focus'
innovative new product focus:360degrees with Home of Choice, a leading mortgage
network, for a minimum of £820,000. The contract for focus:360degrees is to
upgrade Home of Choice's existing technology solution that enables the
recruitment, registration and support of new intermediaries joining the network.

focus:360degrees, the end to end enterprise platform for financial services
distribution, will provide additional functional elements to the Home of Choice
Ignition solution.

John Ahmed, Marketing and Commercial Director, Home of Choice, commented:

"We have worked with Focus for a long time and have found them a most reliable
and valuable business partner. Following a comprehensive review of the relevant
solutions available in the market place, focus:360degrees is the most
functionally advanced and adaptable solution that could meet all of our
requirements and timescales. We are delighted to be continuing our relationship
with Focus and look forward to rolling out the solution."

Richard Stevenson, Chief Executive, Focus Solutions, added:

"I am delighted that Home of Choice has once again chosen Focus to provide them
with their new strategic distribution platform. We have seen significant
interest in the new product from various sectors in the market and we look
forward to future successes."

[gswredland] 27/2/2008 11:54

Blimey my small 3000 buy shifted the price.

[kruger2004] 27/2/2008 10:32

stock screeners

we don't believe you loser!!!!!!!!!!

[stockscreeners] 27/2/2008 01:21

will do.

the contract win is peanuts and the share price will have to rise an awfull lot to take away my gains.

other banks and institutions have put a cap on capital spending.

expect more falls.

[cockneyrebel] 26/2/2008 20:54

Cheers GI.

CR

[giddygoat] 26/2/2008 20:46

From Dan Stewart TP of 57p
"Focus is already implementing Phase One of the software system to support HSBC's sales channels for life, pension and other investment products in a contract which we estimate at £6m. Phase Two is expected to be of a similar scale and covers HSBC's IFA sales process including off-line services.
HSBC comments that "Focus was the obvious choice for this substantial project" and "has continued to demonstrate a domain knowledge that makes us confident that they will provide an effective solution for our financial planning managers in 2008".
In addition, Focus CEO Richard Stevenson notes that, in fact "current economic conditions are leading to large financial institutions placing an even greater value on regulatory and compliance driven projects"; in other words the sector requires more, not less, of the integrated services Focus delivers.
Focus has implemented a component-based approach to its software systems, aiming at a more continuous contract flow going forward. Nevertheless the Phase Two HSBC contract is factored into our positive outlook. We expect March 08 PBT of £1.66m (+34%YoY) and in March 09(e) £2.06m (+25%YoY). Focus trades on a FY09 EV/EBITDA of 2.5x, and 3.9x PE, indicating an ideal opportunity to BUY on this positive news."

[greek islander] 26/2/2008 19:22

Today in UK Analysts report:



Shares in financial software company Focus Solutions (FSG) soared 5.5p to 32.5p after the company announced it has signed a 765,000 pound contract to design and build the multi-million pound Phase Two programme to support HSBC's wealth management strategy. Focus is already developing Phase One of the system to support HSBC's distribution channels for life, pensions and investment products. "Focus has continued to demonstrate a domain knowledge that makes us confident they will provide an effective solution for our financial planning managers in 2008," said Helen Roberts, Business Programme Manager, HSBC. "We believe that current economic conditions are leading to large financial institutions placing an even greater value on regulatory and compliance driven projects and we believe Focus is well placed to take advantage of this demand," said Focus boss Richard Stevenson.

[kalmar] 26/2/2008 18:40

Great news...the il-liquidity can kill you in a negative market...but the bottom should be in and we can quickly get back to the highs.

K

[greek islander] 26/2/2008 17:23

Yes CR it has been a bit better these last few days as some of the stocks you and I share have been coming back a little but from a great trough one has to say!
Long way to go but a little optimism seems to be growing in the market and as long as we can avoid any mishaps over the next 2 weeks I can see the market turning dramatically and a lot of our low pe good value stocks coming back quite a bit.

Good luck

[cockneyrebel] 26/2/2008 17:14

Nice day - up 5p, was getting fed up with loads of these in the wife's pen but days like this cheer you up!

CR

[ged5] 26/2/2008 17:05

Been away today so have just seen the news we've all been so eagerly awaiting.
Let's hope it's onwards and upwards from here.
I think a few on here have more than some of the directors - just not as many options!
Notice the poster in the link was as equally baffled by the recent slump in share price
Total nonsense what's gone on here.

[bigbigdave] 26/2/2008 12:31

Excellent summary from AliceinWonder from TMF

[cockneyrebel] 26/2/2008 10:38

Good to have some news at last :-)

Nice contract with a long standing partner. Just want a few more now :-)

Good to see these breathing again too.

CR

[greek islander] 26/2/2008 09:31

Good one.
Bit of good news in a bad RCG day for some of us.

[drw1] 26/2/2008 07:24

The last sentence is specially written for Stockscreeners-carry on shorting-LOL

[welsheagle] 26/2/2008 07:14

RNS Number:7095O
Focus Solutions Group PLC
26 February 2008

Embargoed until 0700 26th February 2008

Focus Solutions Group plc (AIM:FSG)
A leading provider of proven enterprise solutions to the financial services
market.
("Focus" or the "Group")

Contract Win

HSBC has chosen Focus Solutions for the design and build of the multi-million
pound Phase Two programme to support HSBC's wealth management strategy. Focus is
therefore pleased to announce the signing of a £765,000 contract to instigate
this work with HSBC.

Focus is already developing Phase One of this comprehensive system to support
HSBC's distribution channels for life, pensions and investment products. Focus
is also working collaboratively with HSBC on the design and planning of offline
working and a commercial financial planning tool for advised sales and
distribution support. Phase Two covers HSBC's IFA sales process.

Helen Roberts, Business Programme Manager, HSBC, commented:
"We have developed a very good relationship with Focus, based upon the ongoing
work to deliver Phase One and the scoping project for Phase Two of the solution.
Focus was the obvious choice for this substantial project and we intend to build
on the knowledge and expertise that has been acquired during Phase One. Focus
has continued to demonstrate a domain knowledge that makes us confident they
will provide an effective solution for our financial planning managers in 2008."

Richard Stevenson, Chief Executive, Focus Solutions, added:
"I am delighted that we have continued to grow our relationship with HSBC. This
contract provides further validation that our software is capable of supporting
the largest and most demanding global customers and that we are able to help
organisations realise significant business benefits. We believe that current
economic conditions are leading to large financial institutions placing an even
greater value on regulatory and compliance driven projects and we believe Focus
is well placed to take advantage of this demand."