Fountains Share Discussion Threads

[bigbigdave] 04/5/2007 07:21

Sounds rather good........

Fountains Trading Statement


RNS Number:0989W
fountains PLC
04 May 2007


Press Release 4 May 2007




fountains plc


("fountains" or the "Company")




Notice of Results and Trading Update


fountains plc (AIM:FNT), the environmental support services company, announces
today that the Interim Results for the six months ended 31 March 2007 will be
announced on Monday 21 May 2007.

An analyst briefing given by Barry Gamble (Chairman), Richard Haddon (Chief
Executive) and Matthew Turnock (Group Finance Director), will be held at 9.30
a.m. at Abchurch Communications Ltd, 5th Floor, 100 Cannon Street, London, EC4N
6EU.

The Directors of fountains are pleased to announce that recent trading and a
strong deal pipeline gives them confidence that the Company will report results
for the year ending 30 September 2007 that are significantly ahead of current
market expectations. This follows the extensive review of the business,
undertaken throughout 2006, which was led by Chief Executive Richard Haddon. As
a result of this review, the Company's service offering was broadened to include
managed services. In addition, the review has delivered greater operational and
contractual efficiencies to the existing core business. A further update on
current trading and prospects will be provided in the Interim Results.

[tday] 28/1/2007 19:56

With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps 'the essence of mediocrity' is a little harsh.

The company needs a shake up and that is unlikely to happen, with the present Board. I'm sure they mean well but, the share price performance says it all.

[tday] 26/1/2007 19:19

Looking at the share price history, FNT is priced the same as 5 years ago. What does that tell you?

One problem is the fact that it's a low margin, high labour cost business. Such businesses rarely surpass expectations and often fail to meet them.

Two profit warnings in the last 8 or so years, suggests that something isn't right. What, I wonder, is the common denominator?

IMHO the company is too conservative, too concerned with minutiae, too staid, too risk averse, too humdrum.

It appears to lack innovative management at Board level and the non execs seem to mirror the executive directors.

The company needs new, younger, enthusiastic, charismatic directors. The present mob, the new CEO excepted because, I don't know him - are the essence of mediocrity.

A share to trade but, not to hold.

Other views welcome.

[shavian] 19/12/2006 18:21

Interesting "recovery" tip in IC this week for FNT. However, IC made no mention of the US operation (see co website for details) Surprising lack of activity on this thread since the results. I nearly bought in earlier in the year, having just helped a client buy some woodland from FNT, and having been impressed with the company's professionalism at the sharp end. Glad I didn't, as the profit warning soon followed, but sorry I didn't have the bottle to buy in the summer with the price at 70p, and then took my eye of the ball until now. FNT now looks a better bet to me as a longer-term hold (DYOR etc, no advice intended) with fresh management and focus. The $ could hurt recovery this year, but the US operation seems to have quality. I'll probably buy on any short-term weakness, especially if it holds at a quid.

[9degrees] 30/11/2006 20:42

Garyspring -any news on this one ??

[9degrees] 25/10/2006 11:52

Just looked at google -it is a large railway construction and maintenance co and not doing vegetaion management

[9degrees] 25/10/2006 11:49

I have recently spotted two yellow vans alongside our mainline railway and they are obviously doing some sort of work on trackside. The vans are liveried with the name "Gamble"- is this Barry's private co in competition or someone tading off??!! Waht is yr answer Barry?

[volsung] 04/8/2006 12:05

Is not green - is red.

[9degrees] 04/8/2006 11:56

oh dear what now ?

[9degrees] 05/7/2006 16:04

Great stuff now we can get on

[mw8156] 02/7/2006 15:18

Gets a mention in the Sunday Times money section though gont know what proportion of the overall business is forestry management.

[9degrees] 23/6/2006 11:22

Lets get this EGM over and done with quickly so that management can get on and run the business. These resolutions are just an attempt to wrestle the company away from existing shareholders at a cheap price

[skyship] 07/6/2006 09:02

Likewise. Away from my computer for a few days; will post again anon. Good luck all.

[gengulphus] 06/6/2006 19:53

No, I live in the UK, in Cambridge, and the origin of my name is nothing much to do with St Gengulphus. Basically, it refers to something in my family, allowing reasonably close family members to recognise me without broadcasting my real name to the whole world...

I'm holding the shares as part of a portfolio of AIM shares, generally selected to be held for the fairly long term. Fortunately a fairly small part of that portfolio, so I can be quite relaxed about them! I won't object if they're taken out, as long as it's at a reasonably good price, but I don't mind waiting and seeing how they end up doing either.

Gengulphus

[skyship] 06/6/2006 16:16

Gengulphus, aka Genou, Died 250? Saint Genulf, whose feast is still kept at Cahors, was mentioned in early books, but his existence is now ......

Well, well, we live down here in SW France c.1hr drive from Cahors. Are you down this way too?

By the way, what do you believe will be the fate of FNT? Do you expect it to be taken out or are you playing for recovery?

[9degrees] 06/6/2006 14:57

Thanks a lot!

[gengulphus] 06/6/2006 13:46

IM(H)O = In My (Humble) Opinion

Gengulphus

[9degrees] 06/6/2006 13:36

Ok so what does IMO mean

[skyship] 06/6/2006 12:03

Not what I meant perhaps........

[gengulphus] 06/6/2006 11:22

It means "Laughs Out Loud!"...

Gengulphus

[skyship] 05/6/2006 19:54

LOL! - (I think that means - "AGREED" - if not, someone pls let me know what exactly it does mean!!??)

[tday] 05/6/2006 19:03

9degrees .

Point taken.

However, what staggers me is fountains had three accountants as as executive directors before Peter Neighbour's departure and yet they couldn't do their sums.

Fact of the matters is, it's a high labour cost low margin business. Any miscalculation in quoting or delays in getting/renegotiating contracts and the profit disappears pronto.

I'm back in again because, either Barry Gamble and the new CEO sort out the mess or, someone else will.

[skyship] 05/6/2006 08:34

9degrees - thanks for that. I too am sceptical as I believe management have already taken the right steps to rectify matters.

Clearly FNT is a business with a future, so I do feel that this action is likely to flush out a serious bidder rather sooner than might have been the case. May well add this week.