Ashley (laura) Share Discussion Threads

[whiskeyinthejar] 09/8/2015 22:11

Ah. Thanks for that. 9,128 sqm not 98,254 sqm. Making more sense now.

In my defence. not just me that thought the 98,254 figure was true.

Paul Scott:

[barnesian] 09/8/2015 21:36

Picture of the new building in Singapore - hat tip to Thorpematt





Picture of London HQ - hat tip EezyMunny

[whiskeyinthejar] 09/8/2015 21:12

Yes indeed. What's wrong with renting? Most of City of London is rented as far as I know.

Has anyone seen a picture of this building? I'm intrigued.

However my copy of Furniture News has just arrived. It says Singapore office is 98,254 sqm.




Wikipedia says that's not far off the same size as The Shard in London (110,00 Sqm).

Surely this is the new Global Head Office for Laura Ashley? And room for a swimming pool.

Although what are they currently doing with all this space? Subletting??

I don't hold either so I'm watching this building I don't know too! I was looking for entry point. A doorway as it were.

[simon templar qc] 09/8/2015 18:51

If you look at what the company said in the prelims they indicated future dividends were actually under review!

If you check the wording its all to do with both trading and the need to utilise cash to grow the business.

The statement leaves shareholders in a bit of a quandary as to what they will
actually do with the dividends.

"The Board will continue to review dividend payments on the basis of annual profitability, the economic climate and the needs of the business"

The needs of the business seems to have been an expensive office block in Singapore in order to grow the business!

Was it needed?

[barnesian] 09/8/2015 09:57

The final dividend was held at 1p but the total for the year was down from 3p to 2p because two interim dividends were paid the previous year as I understand it.

The dividend yield of 7+% is based on a 2p dividend going forward covered about 1.25 times.

The dividend record is a bit up and down with a multiple interim and a special dividend during the last five years but basically averaging 2p which seems to be the target. I wouldn't interpret the reduction from 3p to 2p as a worrying cut - more back to business as usual.

But I agree with you about the latest RNSs being red flags. I sold my stake within 90 minutes of the Singapore office block announcement but continue to watch. I won't consider re-investing until there is greater clarity about intentions for that office block.

2015-06-11 2015-07-03 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 2
2014-09-17 2014-10-03 H1 dividend (interim) 1 GBX
2014-04-16 2014-05-12 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 3
2014-01-29 2014-02-10 H1 dividend (interim) 1 GBX
2013-10-02 2013-10-30 H1 dividend (interim) 1 GBX
2013-06-12 2013-07-12 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 2
2013-05-29 2013-06-05 Special Dividend 0.5 GBX
2012-10-03 2012-10-30 H1 dividend (interim) 1 GBX
2012-06-13 2012-07-11 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 2
2011-10-12 2011-11-08 H1 dividend (interim) 1 GBX
2011-06-15 2011-07-15 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 1.5
2010-10-13 2010-11-10 H1 dividend (interim) 0.5 GBX
2010-06-30 2010-08-04 H2 dividend (final) 0.75 GBX Total 1
2009-10-14 2009-11-12 H1 dividend (interim) 0.25 GBX
2009-05-06 2009-08-20 H2 dividend (final) 0.75 GBX Total 1.25
2008-10-15 2008-11-07 H1 dividend (interim) 0.5 GBX
2008-05-07 2008-06-06 H2 dividend (final) 1 GBX Total 2
2008-01-23 2008-02-15 H1 dividend (interim) 0.5 GBX
2007-09-26 2007-10-12 H1 dividend (interim) 0.5 GBX
2007-05-09 2007-06-05 H2 dividend (final) 0.5 GBX Total 1
2007-01-24 2007-02-16 H1 dividend (interim) 0.5 GBX
2006-06-28 2006-07-14 H2 dividend (final) 0.5 GBX Total 0.5

[topvest] 09/8/2015 09:07

Hmm - please mind your language. I had this on my watch list but have taken it off as the latest announcements are all red flags in my view around whether you can actually trust the majority shareholders. The share price drop also points to that. The final dividend was cut to 1p was it not?

[whiskeyinthejar] 08/8/2015 22:21

I think most posters aren't remembering that whiskey in the jar is a folk song and assume I'm an alcoholic who drinks whiskey from pint glasses.

So I'm getting across the right impression.

Still I have to ask, through my drunken stupor, if it is a lie what is the lie? That they are buying an office block? No, if they don't do that now people will be sure to notice.

The RNS just has the distilled story that 'we've bought a building guys'.

So truth or lie, scam or whatever opposite of scam is, there's more to this.

It's material, another RNS. They must explain. #thumps armchair#

Anyway much luck with your trolling thing. Going well I think . Britain's biggest export now. Making mums proud.

[11_percent] 08/8/2015 21:30

A poem, by The National Bard.

To scam, or not to sca, that is the question:
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous ALY RNS,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep
No more; and by a sleep, to say we end
The Heart-ache, and the thousand Natural shocks, ALY.
That Flesh is heir to? 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep,
To sleep, perchance to Dream; aye, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect.

I fear the respect is long gone with ALY.

[11_percent] 08/8/2015 21:19

Come back.

[topvest] 08/8/2015 20:52

The dividend cut and this odd property purchase look a massive red flag to me. Looks like one to avoid. I wouldn't be surprised to see a de-listing in the next year or two.

[whiskeyinthejar] 08/8/2015 20:39

Has anyone phoned IR and asked them why they have bought a £30m eight-storey
office block in Singapore?

There must be an official rationale with a bit more colour than the RNS.

A particularly boozy board meeting?

Shareholders shouldn't have to guess.

[11_percent] 08/8/2015 20:29

After giving it some consideration, I have concluded that purchase of a £30m eight-storey
office block in Singapore is quite over the top. Why so much office space for franchise-
expansion. Why not first the franchises, build up the trade first, and then see what need
there is for office space. Surely not an 8-storey office block?
------

It got £30 million out of the UK, and it is now his.

Why?

We don't need this office, that is clear.

So, why do it.

[11_percent] 08/8/2015 20:25

This is 3 posts from the iii BB, on the building RNS.
-----

10-07-15
Buy Re: Office block over the top...
pitass
Have the company said that they will utilize all of the building,or do they intend to derive a rental income from it. After all ythe hotels are a very good diversified income stream. Add the possible leases on say four floors of this building,and you have the beginnings of a nice little alternative earner,
More View thread 3 Respond Login to Vote up Neighbourhood Watch
03-07-15
Re: Office block over the top...
hereford bull
Winningstreak,

Certainly the fall in the share price seems to back up your conclusion, but hopefully time will be more forgiving - especially since I topped up earlier today. The decent dividend is not to be ignored.
HB
More View thread 3 Respond Login to Vote up Neighbourhood Watch
Trade this long or short with an interactive markets spread betting or CFD account.
03-07-15
Office block over the top...
winningstreak
After giving it some consideration, I have concluded that purchase of a £30m eight-storey
office block in Singapore is quite over the top. Why so much office space for franchise-
expansion. Why not first the franchises, build up the trade first, and then see what need
there is for office space. Surely not an 8-storey office block?
IMHO,
ws

[irnbru2] 08/8/2015 09:42

Can someone re -post this, so that Garry can see it.

I said it would go down, and it did. In the mean time, you were ramping it, and continue to do so.
Garry has bought too early. It will go to 25p.

[irnbru2] 30/7/2015 23:07

Idiot,

Fall to 20p, means it will fall to 10p.

[irnbru2] 30/7/2015 23:06

Idiot,

Fall to 20p, means it will fall to 10p.

[irnbru2] 30/7/2015 23:05

Flat day, for this exported China scam.

[speedsgh] 30/7/2015 12:37

Fall back to low-mid 20s would suit me fine. Would look to add at that level.