Lok'n Store Share Discussion Threads

[kievtrader] 12/8/2005 11:22

Are the market makets trying to shake out some sellers before taking the price higher?

[konil] 11/8/2005 16:44

re. posts 427 and 428 -

lok does have intrinsic value in its property assets, and by their nature, value in property assets can take a long time to unlock - and if that unlocking is dependent on a third party or planning permission then it can take even longer

lok's management do seem rather 'relaxed' about investor relations, which does not help to bring the attractions of lok to a wider audience, and this can cause relative underperformance

however, the share price has performed very well over the last 2 years, so any critisicms must be tempered with that in mind, and really it cannot be called a dog

lok is not an ideal 'trading' stock, but more an 'investment' stock, so its likely that patience will be rewarded

of course for those who purchased at the recent high in feb this year the performance since then will be more frustrating than for those who are currently in profit, but 'investment' (as opposed to 'trading') is a medium to long term game

and timing is everything....now where did i put that crystal ball...

[wan] 11/8/2005 10:56

Mr Stock...LOK can hardly be described as a dog.

A mm sell is always of note, however, I do get the distinct, and purely gut feel that, at the very least, some more sector related news will be forth coming, whether that's specific to LOK remains to be seen? Anecdotal evidence of directors buying up stock in the only other listed company, and other non listed companies making expansive acquisitions certainly suggest a degree of confidence in the growth prospects the sector offers. Of course I could be wrong or overly optimistic, however, my view on the excellent long term prospects here remains undeterred.

What effect do you think the sale of Kingston might have on the share price? Managements achievements there alone hardly desribe a dog share/company!

[mrstock] 11/8/2005 10:35

Wan - sadly the only thing that BYG's shareprice has indicated is that one should have been holding it instead of LOK! My take on this shareprice movement is that BYG will benefit from any possible takeover bid simply as a much larger company. LOK unfortunately will continue to languish as it looks like an also ran compared to Safestore and BYG until it can either accelerate its expansion or make its bottom line look more attractive. It's still a dog.

[wan] 11/8/2005 08:17

Well 'another' director over at BYG have seen fit to acquire stock, interesting moves from a management that 'was' catious on the/their markets prospects? BYG share price outperformance is making the divergence from LOK's look either overdone or indeed underdone on LOK's part, time will tell, as previously BYG's share price moves has been quite a good indicator for LOK's shares in the past.

[wan] 09/8/2005 07:57

A bit of sector news -
Safestore acquires Storage World's two sites in Old Trafford, Manchester and Reddish, Stockport for an undisclosed sum -

[kievtrader] 08/8/2005 15:54

shares creating a good base for assault through resistance at 153p . tharget then should be 160p where there will be more resitence. Any chartists out there who have similar or different opinions?

[wan] 08/8/2005 10:35

Mrstock...Old news, see my previous posts 415 & 416. I have no problem with the options given the amounts, timescales and the incentive etc.

[mrstock] 08/8/2005 10:01

Grant of share options

1 August 2005

Once again, another series of options given out to the board of LOK. How about a dividend one day?

Lok'nStore Group plc (the 'Company')
Grant of share options

The Company announces that, on 29 July 2005, it granted options over its
1p Ordinary Shares to the following directors:

Director Number Exercise Vesting period
of options price

Ray Davies 100,000 152p 30/07/2008 to 30/07/2015
Colin Jacobs 50,000 152p 30/07/2008 to 30/07/2015
Andrew Jacobs 50,000 152p 30/07/2008 to 30/07/2015
Simon Thomas 50,000 152p 30/07/2008 to 30/07/2015

[wan] 03/8/2005 07:28

Is history going to repeat itself? BYG's share price is currently outperforming LOK's, if the the past is anything to go by? the gap/divergence eventually closes with BYG's outperformance appearing to be an early indicator for LOK. Time will tell, but if anyone is interested overlay BYG on the LOK 1 year chart it makes for an interesting picture.

Regards, wan

[konil] 01/8/2005 20:55

citywire article today (11:37 Mon 01 Aug - Edmond Jackson: can Lok'nStore unlock growth?)

unfortunately its for subscribers only and i don't have access

[wan] 01/8/2005 13:02

Konil...Hi, several reports suggest that growth in the self storage market will continue at some pace for the foreseeable future, so the option period should yield the directors a good buying/profitable opportunuity (when and of course if they get there). Not sure about the leaving company bit, but I also seem to remember that some options are excercisable in certain successful takeover situations?

Regards, wan

[konil] 01/8/2005 09:40

hi wan - oh sorry did i startle you :)

another thing that strikes me is the vesting period for the director's options, 2008 to 2015, either this is clever sleight of hand (because no doubt the options vest immediately should a grantee leave the company) or it demonstrates the confidence the directors have in the future of the company,
but wdik, it may simply be because they were restricted in some way which precluded grant of earlier vesting

i prefer the confidence scenario, and in that time frame i can see the share price at levels many times what it is today

[wan] 01/8/2005 08:10

Put another way, sometimes the only way directors get to acquire shares at todays prices is through options. This is because in effect a closed period is created via company developments/insider knowledge of such. Perhaps then that puts a bit more emphasis on the fact that LOK's new bank facility is no longer secured on Kingston and Reading? FWIW I think the indicators are for a conclusion/announcement re the development/sale of Kingston in the not too distant future. Then again it could be me being overly optimistc?

Regards, wan

[wan] 01/8/2005 07:25

On Friday a few small sells and a 50k sell appeared to satisfy some of the demand but then a late 25k buy took out a large chunk of the surplus shares. I still think there is interest in LOK shares (other than mine). An astute grant of options? -


After all it would surely be prudent to take advantage of lower prices and not all time highs etc!

Regards, wan

[lingy] 28/7/2005 20:28

thanks wan for keeping us all updated on what is happening on level 2 and other news what would we do without you?three cheers for wan hip hip......

[wan] 28/7/2005 08:02

It is 'perhaps' notable that we have another strengthenig of level 2, this time ahead of the open. Bodes well, and indicates there must surely be some demand in the wings? Time will tell.

[wan] 27/7/2005 08:33

I note yesterday that there was a strengthening of level 2 on only a handful of trades?

[wan] 26/7/2005 07:43

Update...Yesterday Numis repeated its buy recommendation for Lok'n Store (191p price target)

[wan] 25/7/2005 07:21

A new bank facility that also highlights managements 'confidence' and a trading update -



And perhaps a real indication/clue that Kingston is on the way to conclusion, and Reading is heading in the right direct too?

Regards, wan

[wan] 23/7/2005 09:34

LBO...Thanks for the Times piece. Although it is only (so say) a rumour, it is perhaps not without some foundation/credence for the afore mentioned reasons that I have highlighted -

The lack of suitable property/locations
Planning constraints
A growth business
Further sector consolidation appears to be the consensus
Low share price (a recent buy note gave a price target of 191p)


Regarding BYG, they have been issuing caution on a number of occasions now only to go on and then deliver results/trading statements above that cautionary note, and indeed a director at BYG then acquired 120,950 ordinary shares at circa £1.88 per share 'after' the above mentioned cautious update...is that a cautious but confident purchase or what! And it was perhaps also of note that BYG also appear to now add a note of how relatively resilient their business is to any economic slowdown! Well that happens to be my view generally with the sector, as there is surely two sides to the coin? Residential customers are storing items not just because they are moving, and my experience thus far is that a lot of home owners have chosen to store when extending/carry out renovation works to their existing properties (rather than move, cue stamp duty etc), and indeed the general lack of space around modern homes will also play its part in demand both now and most certainly going forwards. Importantly secure storage offers business very 'flexible options' too, whether that's assessing the usefulness before buying/creating additional space, or indeed a permanent but very flexible element that would assist seasonal fluctuations/demand (including accepting deliveries) or the increasing requirement to hold onto dated and otherwise not useful files/documents. Anyway I could go on, but the point is that self storage is about 'much' more than the consumer 'just' moving home.



I would hasten to add that my main rationale for owning LOK shares does not revolve around a takeover, however, and in my opinion only, that aspect may at the very least, put some support/foundation under the price. This is a growth business, as exemplified by previous corporate activity, and therefore investors should ultimately be best served by an independent LOK.

The above is in my opinion only, so please conduct your own research as I could be either wrong or inaccurate. I own shares in LOK.

Regards, wan

[lbo] 22/7/2005 19:04

Wan its silly season!!!!!!!

July 21, 2005 The Times

Rumour of the day
Lok'n Store, the AIM-listed self-storage specialist, held steady at 147p despite vague talk of predatory interest. However, some followers are sceptical, citing this month's cautious update from rival Big Yellow Group, up 1p to 193½p, which is feeling the effects of a slower housing market.

[wan] 21/7/2005 08:21

Level 2 is particularily strong today on very low volume, so it appears LOK shares are in demand from some where?

[wan] 21/7/2005 08:02

Interesting pre-market strengthening of level 2 today?