Ashley (laura) Share Discussion Threads

[killieboy] 31/3/2011 11:55

Bit of a shocker this morning - once again, as with most retailers, outlook looking grim for at least the rest of 2011 and (probably) first half of 2012. I am still holding by the way (awaiting >30p!

[mechanical trader] 31/3/2011 11:36

Looks like a lot of holders have missed this bearish item in the accounts today........

7 Contingent Liabilities

a) Under the terms of the sale agreements entered into during the year ended 31 January 2004 for the disposal of certain former European subsidiary companies, the Company has a potential liability of GBP0.3 million in relation to warranty and tax claims (2010: GBP0.3 million).

[mechanical trader] 31/3/2011 11:12

Govt cuts havent even taken hold yet, think its tomorrow when the local authority workers get their redundancy notices.

If trading is down 4.2% February to March just think what its going to be like going into the spring summer season when thousands are on the dole.

I know its a very well run company but people only have so much to spend.

[spaceparallax] 31/3/2011 10:57

Phil, you're not wrong but it was in response to what I saw as a rather smug post.

[mechanical trader] 31/3/2011 10:45

Terrible outlook statement so gone short.

Current Trading and Outlook

There has been a decline in performance since the beginning of February, which we attribute to a general weakening in the consumer economy. For the 8 weeks to 26 March 2011, like-for-like UK retail sales have decreased by 4.2%. We believe that our strong product offer and brand, robust balance sheet and continued operational efficiencies give us a sound base to face the tough outlook ahead.

[philmac56] 31/3/2011 10:36

space..
rubbing salt in a wound springs to mind here

[cockneyrebel] 31/3/2011 10:36

two months ago brokers were forecasting 1.4p eps here. Basically they've smashed forecasts from a couple of months ago, even after brokers raised forecasts to 1.7p they've still smashed with 2p eps before exceptional gain.

They are trading at two third sales.

£38m cash.

The yield is 6.6% and ISA-able.

The divi was raised to 1.5p. Brokers were forecasting 1.25p. Would they really have done a busting 50% rise in the divi if they had any concerns re earnings going forward?

Just a bonkers reaction in a bonkers market at the moment.

I've picked up another 50K today.

When you buy @ 22.5p and get 1p back in divi this year your net buy price is 21.5p - that's giving you a yield of 7% for the year ahead on your purchase.

I gues those that sold today see 0.5% interest in the bank as a better return lol.

CR

[spaceparallax] 31/3/2011 10:03

Just think, if you'd sold yesterday, you could have made 100% profit.

[cjohn] 31/3/2011 09:51

I took profits first thing this morning. I bought at 12.5p during August and am happpy to get out with 70% capital gain + dividends.

At this current price they look reasonable, but not startling value. I've simply moved the money inot a more alluring prospect.

[spaceparallax] 31/3/2011 09:16

Oops, how did I not see that! DOH!

[ydderf] 31/3/2011 09:15

"the nutters that dumped at 22p" seem wise don't they crokerty? And 800,000 shares "traded" ("dumped") too, hardly illiquid by your standards my penny scalping friend!

sub 20p is where this is going

a quick dump will make you feel a lot better crookney - and you should educate your followers about how investors look forward not back when assessing value!!

[madmix] 31/3/2011 08:44

It's a shame they couldn't have described it in a LfL manner to provide a more meaningful indication.

Current Trading and Outlook

"There has been a decline in performance since the beginning of February, which we attribute to a general weakening in the consumer economy. For the 8 weeks to 26 March 2011, like-for-like UK retail sales have decreased by 4.2%. We believe that our strong product offer and brand, robust balance sheet and continued operational efficiencies give us a sound base to face the tough outlook ahead."

[spaceparallax] 31/3/2011 08:40

Superb results, tremendous increase in profit even without the exceptional and relatively modest increases in turnover. A shame to see the dip in performance from Feb - hard to know how this will pan out over the course of a full year. It's a shame they couldn't have described it in a LfL manner to provide a more meaningful indication.

Anyway, at least the business is looking in significantly better health to weather any tough times ahead. In some respects I'm disappointed to see the negative mkt response, but I suppose it's inevitable that some will bale out.

If it dips below 20p, I'll be more than happy to top-up as I'm more interested in the long term.

[ydderf] 31/3/2011 08:20

crookney, wake up and smell the coffee ( if you can afford it at uk prices)

Mothiercare today
Dixons yesterday
Home last week

Sainsbury even

all are reporting poor outlook for uk retail

tell me, where is the money coming from to propel sales?

and the divi is just high because they are paying out a lot - in other words they have nothing better to do with the cash - 1.9 eps 1.5 div, only sustainable if the cash pile doesn't shrink

getg real and save your pals a few bob too

you will be able to buy this dog under 20p in coming days and weeks

[cockneyrebel] 31/3/2011 08:19

Growth or no growth you're getting 11% divi over 15 months or 2.5p. Over 15 months your buy price, netting off the divi is 2.5p lass than the offer.

Internet sales rocketing too and as soon as the warm weather gets here the women are summer shopping.

But do sell, I'm chuffed to have added @ circa 23p today thanks.

CR

[cockneyrebel] 31/3/2011 08:14

Well I bot another 20k @ just over 23p and I'll have more - as ever, traders know the price of everything and the value of nothing!

Even if sales are off 4% in the last couple of months the rresults came in 20% ahead of forecasts that were raised 30% recently FFS.

Here's a huge birthday cake, with icing for free but they've just taken the cherry off the top - that's all.

We had a chuffing war with Lybia and Japan in the last month - that never helped confidence - confidence is a transient thing in retail.

CR

[ydderf] 31/3/2011 08:10

crookney, i know you have loads to dump, but this stock is being valued this morning on the poor outlook - have you read the news, you uk dwellers have a SHRINKING wallets.....you cannot get buoyant sales when there is no dosh in the pocket....treading water is the future here - at best

[riskblue] 31/3/2011 08:09

Sadly the focus looks like it might be on the February sentence and not the rest. Typical.

[dick grasso] 31/3/2011 08:08

It's down due to those couple of words in the outlook! Market looks forward not backward and it see's slower growth in the next quarter, simple! A little unfortunate as think we'd be 10% higher if not!

[matt] 31/3/2011 08:06

Uncertainty ...

"Since the beginning of February, we have seen a decline in our performance which we attribute to a general weakening in the consumer economy. We believe that our strong product offer and brand, robust balance sheet and continued operational efficiencies give us a sound base to face the tough outlook ahead."

[cockneyrebel] 31/3/2011 08:04

let a few chimps jump, then watch the thinking men move in imo.

CR