Interquest Share Discussion Threads

[spot1034] 21/10/2012 18:14

Recruiters will do well once the recovery kicks in, so this is probbaly the worst time to sell. I bought this when I thought it was a cheap share at around 70p last summer. Then came the news of the trouble with the acquistion and down it went! However, Ashcroft clearly thinks they are cheap right now and at least they pay a decent dividend. Might even be snapped up by one of the bigger players.

[swiftascent] 20/10/2012 21:55

Lesson 2? Don't under estimate the time value of money. Should have had a stop loss and been investing in something else with a better return for the last 5 years with more capital. Now too deep to cut....ouch

[swiftascent] 20/10/2012 21:48

I've held this share since the end of the economic cycle and bought 10000 at 98p. Ouch. Thats my biggest single stock loss, and most investing lessons learned in one individual stock. Lesson one? Dont buy a cyclical at the top...Being successful in investing in stocks can only be learned by doing it . After everything that's happened with the stock since 2006, I'm still holding. why? Gary Ashcroft has previous track record of success. He sold his previous co. a 10 bagger. The turnover has continued to improve. They are constantly adapting to survive. The stock has suffered badly due to the uncertainty around the fraud in the acquisition and probably won't bounce for real until resolution. The liquidity is a problem, but the stock bumped from 35 to 42 this week after Gary bought a piffling amount of stock. But why did he buy, and not the co? Equity per share is about 60p which you can buy at a discount of a third? This would be earnings enhancing. The co definitely has the cash as the dividend came in after the crunch and had been rock solid yielding about 6% Another reason to hold not bail. Conclusion? Once the economic cycle ticks up, this co is top class and lack of stock liquidity will drive it through the roof.

[jonwig] 03/8/2012 08:30

spot - they may well win the legal case, but that's when the hard work begins. They've made a provision, and the market doesn't think it will be reversed.

[spot1034] 03/8/2012 08:27

Still waiting for the outcome of the warranty claim agaonst vendors of CCL. The price was dragged down by the announcement of alleged impropriety in the newly acquired company last August and has never recovered. They say they expect to win the claim, but the shares seem to have a loss well priced in. I expect that, as usual, it's the uncertainty that the market doesn't like.

Hopefully we might get an update next month, though if it's an ongoing legal process there probably isn't much they can say.

[death by donut] 02/8/2012 17:25

Anyone sniffing around this one at the mo? can't seem to find much on in the news at the moment.

Views ?

DbD

[jonwig] 12/2/2012 09:43

Yes, the Investors Champion article prompted me to have a look at this. It seems to imply that the client of CCL which caused the upset is a legal firm.
I can't find any comment whatever on the situation.

Since the CCL vendors joined ITQ, it's pretty clear they were in the dark.

From what I can see, the board of ITQ (including Gary Ashworth with his 40% stake) aren't over-paying themselves, apart from some share options at 1p.

Singapore looks to have lots of potential.

FY results on 8 March last year.

[energeticbacker] 06/2/2012 16:23

Bad news is surely in the price and another bargain share for 2012?
Excellent earnings growth potential, compelling dividend yield supported by superb cash generation.
New commentary at www.investorschampion.com

[paleje] 13/9/2011 08:45

Interesting to note they're not reporting downturn in UK as most recruiters are but the best news to me is the Q4 Singapore office opening. Current year in line, PE 6, 5% divi and Singapore increasing revenue 2012 with clients already lined up.

[death by donut] 12/8/2011 22:30

Thnx Stegrego

DbD

[stegrego] 12/8/2011 21:40

Both charges would be offset against profits so the adjusted eps won't be hit too badly, but the actual eps figure will be whacked.

I've no idea if they will get the cash back, probably will. All a bit vague. Possible come back on the original vendors of the CCS company?

[death by donut] 12/8/2011 15:56

I make it around 3.5mil knocked off th Mcap today which seems overdone. Half tempted to get rid of my RHL and buy back into these.


DbD

[spot1034] 12/8/2011 15:11

If I read this correctly, it is not the fault of the acquired company itself and not a problem that they could have known about at the time they acquired it. Just rotten luck, but hopefully the threat of legal action might lead to the money they are owed being coughed up.

[death by donut] 12/8/2011 13:44

Doesn't seem to be a huge thing when compared to the forecasts?

would appreciate soem more knowledgable thoughts on the subject. Where would I knock off the £2.6mil in the numbers , turnover ?

DbD

[markie7] 12/8/2011 13:07

good choice ic2.

not often you see this. a deal falling over 6 weeks after completion. blimey.

serious questions here.

[interceptor2] 27/7/2011 09:08

You are correct that contact work is increasing very rapidly, the last statement from HYDG said the contract business had delivered a record performance in the UK up 40%, with Permanent slower.

Also IPEL issued a fairly decent interim statement this morning.



My decision to sell was influenced by holding two stocks in the same sector, ITQ and HYDG. I needed to decide which one to fully invest in, I guess I prefer the sectors and international presence with HYDG.

I'm sure they will both do very well.

Regards ic2...

[davydoo] 27/7/2011 08:37

I think that could equally be read positively ic2, that companies are not recruiting online for permanent positions in banking and finance, but are prefering to use contractors, which is a big opportunity for ITQ

Ive pulled these two statements from the annual results, although realise this is now some time ago

'Growth in private sector markets, particularly banking and finance, has more than offset decrease in public sector activity'

and

'The number of contractors working onsite at clients reached 1,091 in the last week of December, up 12% from 975 in the last week of December 2009'

This is a trend im seeing a anecdotally in my own work.

[interceptor2] 27/7/2011 08:29

See link above, I think the Banking, Finance and Legal figures are interesting in relation to ITQ.

Just to play safe I have sold my holdings in ITQ today.

ic2...

[davydoo] 15/7/2011 11:16

Not sure why there was so much selling yesterday, but i just took the chance to mop up some of the volume today. Its easy to forget how hard this is to buy when you want to, remember 2 weeks ago when you could only buy 1k lots at 71p?

[cfro] 11/7/2011 18:11

Nice little tick up at the end. We have a breakout on the chart too, so if we now have a bullish statement then that should be enough too get this stock racing away imo.

[interceptor2] 06/7/2011 20:19

Sorry to mention the HYDG trading update yet again, but they did state how strong their UK operation had performed, which is a very positive indicator for ITQ. HYDG international operations were also very strong, like RWA statement today.

Hopefully we will hear some news from ITQ re - new international office in Singapore or Hong Kong. I'm sure it's coming.

ic2...

[cfro] 06/7/2011 19:11

Many thanks for your comments re HYDG and HCM paleje...very interesting.

I see you're on the ball too ic2 noticing RWA's ts! You're well ahead of me anyhow!

[paleje] 06/7/2011 15:51

Yep saw RWA's share price perk up ic2, 75% of revenue now international but I noted the UK also made progress in sluggish conditions. It seems to me ITQ have been having a better crack at the UK than many and I hope they keep it up because they don't have the overseas aspect yet but when they do I think it will boost the share price

Due a trading update soon, I'm on hols from tomorrow so good luck for a decent one.

[interceptor2] 06/7/2011 12:21

paleje, thanks for the background information.

Robert Walters RWA issued a very strong Q2 trading update this morning, maybe a more direct read across to HYDG. But it shows how strong this sector is for other companies like ITQ imo.

The HYDG statement this week said that their financial sector was gaining strength throughout H1 after a slow start to the year. This should bode well for ITQ also.

[paleje] 06/7/2011 10:15

I hold ITQ now at over 70p which is ok as I think they have plenty to go, in fact all recruitment is getting positive attention again but that's not the reason for the post.

I just happened to notice above mentions of HYDG and HCM and I have some knowledge (1) HYDG is a great employer maybe best in sector and good happy staff shine through (2) HCM I was in China and caught some ague which my host got me medication for, it cured me fast but he had no idea what was in it nor did I. Point is, it was effective and much better than I could likely have got in the UK, HCM amongst other things want to make that kind of drug marketable in the west, but with all the necessary approvals, they also want to help tidy up China's slackly regulated healthcare market, I think their potential is huge.

Sorry for OT.