Learning Technologies Share Discussion Threads

[mintitan] 15/5/2014 07:45

Totally agree Tarant77. They are breaking news highs too which is interesting. The management is key here and one of the top reasons I invested. I have faith they'll really progress the business; the hall marks of which we are already seeing with the acquisitions etc. Was especially good to see the share price not flinch when the markets got nervy re Ukraine etc which does suggest they are tightly held and investors won't let them go easily; myself included!

[tarrant77] 15/5/2014 05:23

Don't know what you think could be stirring Mintitan, although this does look like a company that could one day attract someone like Google to have a look! In the meantime seems much more likely that the institutions, one or two of which (like Hargreaves Hale) are already in there, are beginning to take an interest in a company that seems to tick a few boxes like
* Good tech space
* International exposure
* Experienced board with top notch Chairman who has created shareholder value elsewhere.
* Good management team with a CEO with his finger on the pulse.
* Couple of interesting acquisitions already announced and more to come?
* Cash on the balance sheet and a commitment from the chairman to start early dividends.
Shares are obviously tightly held, and there isn't much trade, but easy to see the share price being squeezed up another 20% from here quite soon?

[mintitan] 14/5/2014 10:44

Yes indeed, some nice buying this morning. Yesterday's announcement hopefully raised LTG's profile amongst investors. Or maybe something else in the background is stirring...

[battlebus2] 14/5/2014 10:06

Can't tell mintitan, plenty of 20k buys this morning though.

[mintitan] 13/5/2014 14:02

Are they buys or sells do you think battlebus2?

[battlebus2] 13/5/2014 12:20

A couple of large trades just gone through.

[cheshire man] 13/5/2014 09:02

Holding on to the experienced management is a good strategy, bodes well for a steady ship,,,,,,,,IMO :-)

[battlebus2] 13/5/2014 08:12

I really like this co....

Preloaded to be acquired by LTG
Paul Canty, 13 May 2014

Preloaded is pleased to announce that it has been acquired by Learning Technologies Group plc (LTG).

Following 14 years of successful growth as a standalone business, the award-winning applied games studio will be joining the group of comprehensive and integrated learning technologies providers.

The move will diversify Preloaded's client base, which currently includes clients such as Amplify (a subsidiary of News Corp), Disney, Science Museum Group, Wellcome and the BBC, and will provide Preloaded with a robust foundation to progress as specialist providers of games with purpose with increased international presence and cross-selling opportunities within the group.

CEO of Preloaded Paul Canty said: "Joining LTG underlines our continued efforts to take our award-winning games to new audiences and new sectors. LTG provide both the reach and the capital to do so, and an exciting opportunity for us become a truly global player in the Games with Purpose space."

Preloaded will join LTG's bespoke e-learning business, formed of the newly merged marketing-leaders Epic and LINE, along with multi-device authoring tool gomo learning. Preloaded will enable other companies within the steadily expanding group to offer learning games created by BAFTA-winning experts for a complementary new client service.

Chief Executive of LTG Jonathan Satchell said: "This is a very exciting move for LTG, and I am delighted to welcome all at Preloaded into the group. It is clear that this is a dynamic industry with great potential, and this is a strategically complementary acquisition for LTG."

[cheshire man] 13/5/2014 07:44

Beat me to it mintitan regarding the gaming side,,,,,,,,,also I like this bit

"All of the senior management team and staff are expected to remain with the business."

[mintitan] 13/5/2014 07:28

Looks like a nice fit battlebus and a door into a new market on the gaming side. Good to see they are actively working on their £50m revenue target plans!

[battlebus2] 13/5/2014 07:10

Acquisition of Preloaded

Learning Technologies Group plc (AIM: LTG), the leading e-learning company, is pleased to announce that on 12 May 2014 it entered into an agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of Preloaded Limited ("Preloaded") for an initial consideration of approximately £2.2 million including anticipated cash in the balance sheet of Preloaded on completion of £1.47 million.

Preloaded was founded in 2000 and has a leading reputation as a BAFTA winning applied games studio, designing games to utilise the power of gaming to engage, educate and communicate in the areas of Learning, Health, Engagement and Training. Preloaded works for organisations across the education, entertainment, publishing, advertising and broadcasting sectors with clients including Amplify (a subsidiary of News Corp), Disney, Science Museum Group, Wellcome and the BBC.

In its unaudited management accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014, Preloaded generated revenues of £1.8 million, EBITDA of £0.59 million and profit before tax of £0.57 million. Net assets as at 31 March 2014 are estimated at £1.6 million.

LTG has agreed to acquire Preloaded for £2.2 million, to be satisfied by approximately £1.6 million in cash (of which £1.2 million will be paid upon completion and it is expected that £0.4 million will be paid during the first twelve months) and 3,125,000 ordinary shares (the "Consideration Shares") in LTG. Further consideration of up to £3.4 million may be payable to be satisfied in ordinary shares, dependent on financial performance.

The acquisition of Preloaded marks a further step in LTG's 'buy and build' strategy to consolidate the fragmented e-learning market and create a global leader in e-learning with in excess of £50 million revenue.

According to recent research by Ambient Insight, 'The 2012-2017 Worldwide Game-based Learning and Simulation-based Markets', the global market for games-based and simulation learning is set to increase from $4bn in 2012 to $9bn by 2017. As LTG's second acquisition, this is a strategic move to add the services of a specialist learning games company to the Group, strengthening LTG's position as a global end-to-end service provider of learning technologies.

The Board believes that the purchase of Preloaded brings significant organic growth prospects, as the acquisition will enhance the Group's offering and skillset to existing clients and brings substantial opportunity to expand the Group's client base through Preloaded's current relationships. Preloaded will bring a further 20 staff to the Group as well as additional offices in London. All of the senior management team and staff are expected to remain with the business.

The cash consideration will be met from the Group's existing resources and application has been made to AIM for the listing of the 3,125,000 Consideration Shares, which will rank pari passu with LTG's existing ordinary share capital.

The cash element of the acquisition is intended to be self-financing and the vendors will warrant that sufficient working capital is retained in the Preloaded business following completion.

Admission of the Consideration Shares to trading on AIM is expected to be on 16 May 2014.

Jonathan Satchell, CEO of LTG, commented:

"This exciting acquisition will bring additional skillsets, clients and talent to the Group, opening up a new avenue in the important discipline of learning games and simulations for LTG to satisfy the growing demand for e-learning.

"Preloaded complements our existing businesses Epic and the recently acquired LINE and brings substantial opportunity to grow organically."

[mintitan] 06/5/2014 08:25

Worrying because he responded quickly? That's efficiency to me. And why would their be a queue? Especially if all investor enquiries are dealt with quickly.

[janeann] 02/5/2014 22:10

worrying he responded in 10mins; hasn't he got real work to do and your question should have been placed in a queue?

[mintitan] 29/4/2014 14:13

Nice £20k buy this pm too!

[mintitan] 29/4/2014 09:28

Emailed the investor relations team with a query on Friday and received a response back within about 10 mins from no less than Jonathan Satchell the Chief Executive! Impressed by their efficiency and the fact he responded personally; very reassuring. He also said: "Thank you for believing in the company – it's a pretty exciting place to be at the moment!". Little gestures speak volumes.

[cheshire man] 16/4/2014 10:09

Indeed mintitan,,,,,,,,,holding up very well in this market,,,,,,,,,as you say tightly held ?.........:-)

[mintitan] 15/4/2014 12:15

Hargreave obviously see the potential. When are we next due any announcements from the company? I suspect for now it will be II's increasing their stakes and news on acquisitions etc.

Very reassuring to see LTG sitting very firmly in the recent market turmoil over the past week or so. Must be tightly held.

[battlebus2] 14/4/2014 21:44

Looks like my old pals Hargreave Hale took part in the placing. Up from 13 million to 22.4 million or 6.4%

[sagarn] 10/4/2014 11:10

Growth company dewtrader. Profits will increase substantially together with acquisitions. Management here are excellent.

[dewtrader] 10/4/2014 08:59

profits before central costs of £1.5m, apply tax, and head office expenses

PE around 100

[sammy_smith] 09/4/2014 08:58

LISTEN: Learning Technologies Group (LTG) - Acquisition of LINE Communications Holdings Ltd

Click the link below to listen

[janeann] 08/4/2014 08:44

well they were worth getting up for! Thanks. And enjoy your spare time!!

[battlebus2] 08/4/2014 08:20

Janeann morning, had to check in knowing results are this morning. I will mail you when I get a chance.
Oh and morning to you Cheshire Man.

[cheshire man] 08/4/2014 08:17

Oh and a very good morning to you battlebus :-)

[janeann] 08/4/2014 08:13

Well morning battlebus and trust all is well. Nice to hear your voice; cant you keep away?! This sounds svery promising to me, and I even had the good fortune to add a few yesterday. A buy and hold for a while for me.