Opd Share Discussion Threads

[nigelpm] 30/1/2008 19:32

Absolutely right nlm1. Clearly though this could keep falling for a bit.

Getting very tempting though.

[nlm1] 30/1/2008 18:02

this is absurd speculation. How do any of you know whether this has done damage to their business. Don't be ridiculous. So they spent a few months trying to buy another business. Do you really think that's distracted the day to day fee earners in the business? Of course it hasn't. The share price has tanked because of fears over the economy. Have a look at Michael Page's share price - it has fallen by almost exactly the same amount.

As long as the economy stays ok then OPD look like a bargain to me. I would expect profits to ease off a bit over the next year or so to reflect the slow down but they won't go into a loss. Buy now and sit tight for 4 years. The shares will be back to £5 and you'll have made 3 times your money. Don't believe me? Track the share price from April 2003 up to mid 2007.

[apatel21] 30/1/2008 13:33

I think they'll suffer aprox. £1m on their shareholding in IMP. However, they will have incurred significant fees in chasing IMP and would not be surprised if this was in the region of £0.5 - £1.0m. However, the unquatifiable amount (objectively that is) is the damage done to their own business from having spent so much time chasing IMP and damaged market reputation in not landing IMP. Although one cannot quantify objectively i think the share price performance says it all.

[williebiz] 30/1/2008 12:40

Agreed, that would be best. But they're going to take a bath with their IMP shareholding, aren't they?

Anybody got a decent idea of the hit if they sell out to HYDG at the current offer price?

[deanroberthunt] 30/1/2008 11:37

Imo they should pull out of the buy-out for Imprint and issue a trading update, its well overdue.

[williebiz] 30/1/2008 11:23

Well, looking cheap right now. Not a holder but watching with interest. I reckon recruiters fall in the same group as housebuilders, first to fall in a slump and last to rise. Trick will be timing it all, as usual, and satisfying myself that the business story is intact despite the IMP issues.

Better to get in late than get in too early or before a bit more reassuring trading data gets released.

[deanroberthunt] 30/1/2008 11:18

two points claerly interest me;

1. they currently trade at a discount to NAV
2. as far as we know they still intend to report a fy pbt of £14m (just 2.8x earnings)

unless trading has deteriorated significantly and/or the forward outlook has worsened by an equal amount, then at 150p the price is compelling.

I will continue to watch...

[apatel21] 30/1/2008 10:48

OPD has been by far the biggest loser in this debacle....it beggars belief.

Whats incredible is that it was largely of their own making. Either the OPD management are worse than that lot @ IMP or have been advised really badly - still i would expect them to have enough nouse not to follow it even if that was the case.

[deanroberthunt] 30/1/2008 08:19

OPD has been by far the biggest loser in this debacle....it beggars belief.

[apatel21] 29/1/2008 13:38

opd down to 153p today as the market comes to realise that their takeover of IMP is doomed. OPD directors have played this one badly and their share price is being trashed as a result - as predicted. Not sure how much further these could fall?

[apatel21] 16/1/2008 16:46

Looks like OPD will announce tomorrow that they have lost out in their bid for IMP. What impact if any will this have on OPD? I'd be surprised if the price does not get whacked because its difficult to see where the growth will come from going forward.

[apatel21] 16/1/2008 12:19

I say i prefer MPI to OPD even though they are on a higher rating. Their international business seems to be still storming ahead.

[g8ta] 08/1/2008 07:39

MPI have issued a good trading statement. Staffline's was positive yesterday, so just Hays to come this week.

[nigelpm] 02/1/2008 11:34

Nigel - your 160p is 24% below your last long-term buy. Whats changed thats dropped your valuation of the business?


Nothing.

I said it would be Nice to pick some up at 160p.

That doesn't mean I will pick them up!

[apatel21] 02/1/2008 11:29

Nigel - your 160p is 24% below your last long-term buy. Whats changed thats dropped your valuation of the business?

[nigelpm] 02/1/2008 11:25

Not sure what the excitement is about here.

Volumes are minuscule and they are out of the FTSE Small Cap so probably selling related to that.

Would be nice to pick some up around 160p.

[deanroberthunt] 02/1/2008 11:01

edit....down further.

maybe a cunning plan to take it private by de Management.

[deanroberthunt] 02/1/2008 10:58

hmmm...500p to 181p, I reckon thats already happened.

[apatel21] 02/1/2008 10:56

Yes will look exceptionally tempting @ 150p based on historic fundamentals. However, recruitment market looking very poor going forward. Only possibility is takeover but given Directors own 20% little chance of an outsider taking over. That would leave an MBO but given the shenanigans @ IMP i would expect shareholders to get shafted.

[apatel21] 02/1/2008 10:52

Look like Barclays are offloading but they still have 2.3%.

[deanroberthunt] 02/1/2008 10:50

OPD shareholders should be calling for an EGM soon......power to the people.

Apatel....I'm prepared to buy a few of these circa 150-160p....

[apatel21] 02/1/2008 10:49

Next support is @ 175 and then 150. This would make an interesting punt as surely it has to be a takeover target itself. But given the debacles @ IMP it is just too risky especially as the OPD directors have shown themselves to have little integrity.

[apatel21] 02/1/2008 10:45

OPD now on a lower PE than IMP. Market has lost confidence in these clowns.

[deanroberthunt] 02/1/2008 10:28

down she blows, haven't they got the message yet!! beggars belief.