Headlam Share Discussion Threads

[jeffian] 23/6/2004 18:37

Did I miss something?!

8-)

Regards, Ian

[shirishg] 23/6/2004 09:41

POST REMOVED BY ADVFN

[shirishg] 23/6/2004 09:41

POST REMOVED BY ADVFN

[cockneyrebel] 09/6/2004 19:01

Have you looked at Victoria Carpets (VCP) ?

70% compound earnings growth PA over the last two years come the results June 22


At these results VCP will post earnings nearly double that of HEAD.

After these results you'll see the forecast earniings nearly double that of HEAD.

You'll see a yield nearly the same as HEAD.

Where HEAD trades at more than 3 times NAV, Victoria trades at NAV approx.

But the share price half that of HEAD.


CR

[networker] 20/5/2004 13:16

Ian
Thanks for your earlier comments about historic prices.
I now expect some Broker upgrades and likely positive press comment and they may well be sufficient to move the shares into new high territory. Certainly performing well today in a duff market, but as usual gets no interest shown in it by the majority of ADVFN subscribers who seem to prefer punting on second division companies or outright speculations. This company has the capacity to contribute to longer term wealth creation for investors.

[jeffian] 20/5/2004 12:05

Impressive AGM statement today. Maybe the strength of the share price recently is just refelecting 'fundamentals'.

"20 May 2004

HEADLAM GROUP PLC

AGM STATEMENT



At its Annual General Meeting today, Trevor Larman, Chairman of Headlam Group,
stated that sales in the first 20 weeks of 2004 against the corresponding period
last year, have increased by 12% on a like for like basis.


This sales performance reflects an increasing sales trend across all
geographical regions in the UK, a year on year improvement in sales of all
product categories and the businesses which we acquired during 2002 performing
ahead of expectations. Our operations in Continental Europe continue to show an
improving trend.


With this positive performance, the group looks forward to another year of
growth in profitability".

Regards, Ian

[jeffian] 18/5/2004 19:32

Networker,
I think the ADVFN charts are correct. I print off my portfolio at the end of every week, so I will not have recorded the absolute highs but I have it at 431p on 3/9/99 followed by a dip then rising again to 423p on 29/1/00 after which it declined then went into freefall when the Eclipse blinds debacle was disclosed.

It stood out yesterday as the only green spot (for most of the day) in a sea of red and a glimpse at the chart shows that this resilience has defied various hiccups in the market arising from the Iraq war, oil price shocks etc. It smells as if something is up!

Regards, Ian

[networker] 18/5/2004 18:21

There certainly seems to be continuing support for this share in the face of some quite persistent selling. As the price keeps moving upwards it is getting quite close to its all-time high. My records show this as being around 420-430p in Feb 2000. The ADVFN 5 year chart seems to have different figures. Can anyone confirm from other sources which of us is correct?
If the share really is close to moving into all-time high territory it could be worth watching over the next few weeks.

[jeffian] 18/5/2004 17:23

See what I mean? Ended the day up 13p.

Regards, Ian

[jeffian] 18/5/2004 15:04

Anyone else noticed how strong this has remained despite market volatility? Even on 'meltdown' days like yesterday, when it was ahead all day until the end and then eased only a couple of pence, more than recovered immediately today. Just look at the graph. Is it just a recovery story or do you think someone's stalking them?


Regards, Ian

[jeffian] 16/3/2004 10:30

Networker,
I think your final sentence just about says it all. The good news is that the Eclipse fiasco has now washed out of the system and we can clearly see the benefit of the core business, wholesale carpet and flooring distribution, which has trundled along growing satisfactorily for years but was disguised in the overall picture by the losses and write-offs following the ill-fated Eclipse blinds and window-coverings acquisitions. A textbook example to managements to stick to what you know and don't get tempted into headline-seeking acquisitions in areas you don't fully understand (Hello, Lord Simpson of Marconi, are you listening?!). Good basic EPS and divi growth suit me fine and if this is achieved over the long term, the share price will follow as night follows day.

Regards, Ian

[networker] 15/3/2004 22:52

There seems to be no interest on this board for this share but it continues to make steady,if relatively unexciting, progress. This evening's price of around 365-370 seems to be well supported and the results today have been well received. While not a share for traders, it probably represents a safe home for longer-term investors as it appears to offer stable growth from a market leading position, combined with a reasonable yield.

[networker] 19/1/2004 11:39

350p seems to have been a resistance level recently with no less than 5 failed attempts to breach on the upside. Will it be any different this time? If it can breakout there must be scope for it to move up a notch, which usually means about 5 - 10 per cent.

[boadicea] 19/1/2004 10:00

Oops! Just as I said - New high this a.m.

[boadicea] 16/1/2004 17:51

Having held for some longish time, I used today's rise to make an exit. This is usually sufficient to spark a take-off. I must remember NOT to look at it again!

[networker] 14/11/2003 16:17

Certainly the more recent history has been chequered, although the recovery appears to be solid, with the core business performing steadily. Recent board comments give rise to cautious optimism over current trading. It's the price action which has been baffling me. The recent drop seems to have happened with no news being announced, or changed views expressed. Likewise, the rise over the past twenty four hours also seems to have come out of the blue. I wonder, has a selling order that was overhanging the market now been cleared?

[jeffian] 14/11/2003 12:00

I'm no chartist, Networker, but I'm not sure about your reference to 'trading range'. Pull up the 3-year chart and you get a somewhat different picture!

Headlam had years of successful growth by expanding in their 'core business' of wholesale carpet distribution and really blotted their copybook with the disastrous acquisition of Eclipse blinds and the move into window coverings. Before the Eclipse fiasco, they traded up to around 420p on 1998/1999 EPS of 23.1/24.4p per share giving a PER of 17/18. Last year they clawed their way back to EPS last seen in 1998, but there were significant capital write-offs and although they managed to maintain, and even grow, the dividend during this difficult period, dividend cover has been slashed. I think what we are seeing is the natural tension in any 'recovery' stock between those who believe the problems are behind them and former growth patterns can be resumed, and those who don't trust 'em! If Headlam can achieve or exceed EPS last seen in 1999 and grow from there, then I suppose there is an argument that we should be back at 420. I hope so, anyway, 'cos I've held them through thick & thin!

Regards, Ian

[networker] 14/11/2003 09:37

These shares have gone from the top of their trading range ( 340p) to the very bottom ( 310p) in a 3 day spell. They now seem to be recovering. Anyone got a feel for what has been happening to account for such a funny price action?

[networker] 30/8/2003 00:33

Volume apparently light today but the MM purchase indicates someone is trying to push the shares upwards. Moving into a new trading range not seen for some years.

[networker] 18/8/2003 17:38

Most encouraging set of figures today. Someone obviously had been tipped off in advance, but the trend is positive. Remains a good longer term investment and in a rising market like this the shares will probably outperform.

[boadicea] 31/7/2003 15:13

Tree-shake attempt today? Or some rumour we never heard about has died? Or just that the T+10 boys have been rounded up by the mm's so to speak?
I assume the third until hear otherwise, so shall be hanging on. Presumably we shall know by close tomorrow.
So far the drop has not induced any significant sales compared to the net buying earlier in the week. However, volumes have been notably low throughout.

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