Orchard Funding Share Discussion Threads

[orchardholder] 25/6/2024 12:26

@unglove
Fair point, that could also be the case - thanks for pointing that out.
And thinking about it more, you are probably right. If the takeover was off the table, they would probably have also mentioned it in this trading update.

So, I guess more of the same: waiting (but with more confidence in the operations). I still only see two realistic scenarios:
1. The company will remain listed, paying 4-10p dividend per year (gradually increasing dividend as growth slows down)
2. The company will be taken private between 40p and 80p

The downside remains incredibly limited, while these two "upside" scenarios are extremely likely.

[unglove] 25/6/2024 12:12

Possibly peer pressure but also if there is a takeout then would not want to be sued for not divulging important, price sensitive information.

[konradpuss] 25/6/2024 11:57

Maybe their nominated advisor and/or the non-exec. Ketan Malde (probably another Ravi crony) put pressure on Ravi.

[unglove] 25/6/2024 11:33

Are you sure that he didn't have to provide this update? Previous RNS was negative in regard to GAP effect. It may be in their company policy and also recommended practice from companies act. Not invested here, just looking in.

[orchardholder] 25/6/2024 10:57

Very welcome surprise - totally didn't expect this.

It makes me think that the take-over is off the table and they will just go back to paying dividends (probably at a higher rate, going forward)
Otherwise, it makes no sense for Ravi to push up the price - he was not required to issue this trading update.

Still holding the same position of 311K shares

[97peter] 25/6/2024 10:26

Could we yet see a re-instatement of a 1p dividend in August? Maybe an announcement in July if things are on the up and new and existing lending continues to grow and strengthen? Fingers crossed as a better share for dividends than a takeout.

[davidosh] 25/6/2024 09:35

There was no update on whether the company is delisting or on the fraud and insurance investigation issues so it makes the company rather uninvestible without more certainty on the future direction.

Also when a company announce... management now expect that earnings will exceed current market guidance by over 20%. Why do they not avoid any misunderstandings and changes to any guidance during the year and just spell out what exactly that market guidance is?? Then we can add 20% to it.

What was the current guidance?

[wjccghcc] 25/6/2024 08:30

Are they still delisting?

[muffster] 25/6/2024 08:28

Should he be investigated for manupulation here?20% up when 2 months ago all gloom

[cwa1] 25/6/2024 08:19

Cut the dividend...oh, BTW, we're more than 20% above market guidance. Hmmmm

[konradpuss] 25/6/2024 08:03

Ravi is an archetype charlatan.

He should just 'pony up' and make a proper offer.

[cwa1] 25/6/2024 07:13

Bit of a shocker...but in a good way :-))

5th June 2024



Orchard Funding Group PLC



Trading Update



Orchard Funding Group PLC ("Orchard", the "Group" or "Company"), the finance group which specialises in insurance premium finance and the professions funding market, provides the following Trading Update.

Trading year to date has been positive within the insurance premium finance market driving revenue growth through increased lending. The Company has applied a disciplined approach to its growth enabling the Group to maintain income against a backdrop of higher interest rates. As a consequence, management now expect that earnings will exceed current market guidance by over 20%.

Ravi Takhar, the CEO of the Company stated:

"We continue to focus on the controlled and conservative growth of our business and are pleased to be able to notify the market that we reasonably believe, subject to final audit, that we will exceed current market guidance by over 20%.

We continue to strengthen our lending in our core insurance premium finance market as well as our lending in adjacent markets. We are optimistic that our ability to lend, develop and operate our own software and our loyal and experienced staff will continue to deliver positive results to the company and all its stakeholders."

[davidosh] 26/5/2024 19:59

I have not sold any shares so certainly not lost anything yet. There is always the opportunity cost and the fact that my money would have been better invested elsewhere and of course I have little hope of getting my full investment back from here.

My concern is for other investors who may have bought when 97peter was singing from the rooftops about how good an investment Orchard was...whilst unbeknown to us he was selling into the market strength.

[konradpuss] 26/5/2024 15:46

kab, I it has cost David zero right now as he has not sold (I believe).

It's a paper loss, just like mine.

[kabrams] 26/5/2024 15:25

Yet again I feel the need to post here as what I’m reading from certain posters is nothing short of scandalous. You would be nothing short of foolish if you believe what has been posted on this BB. At every turn what has been said is wrong and cost investors like David has said an arm and a leg. Shameless and disgusting!

[konradpuss] 26/5/2024 14:25

David, I have a great saying. Watch what people do not what they say.

Mark my words, it will not be nice being a shareholder (a small shareholder in my case) in a private company with Ravi and his cabal as majority shareholders.

I am prepared for this is if there is a 'low ball' offer.

[davidosh] 26/5/2024 14:19

97peter...This is a forum for discussing a company I am significantly invested in. I have commented positively and negatively at various times during my investment. What right do you have to tell me to sell up and not post here?

Furthermore I have been trying to engage with Ravi but he no longer replies or answers the phone so there is a backdrop of frustration. It is now 18 months since he did a presentation with Q&A so investors know very little about the direction of the company beyond what is read in the latest RNS.

[97peter] 26/5/2024 13:59

Davidosh that is not what I said. If you read the thread correctly, each abbreviation is a separate item. Plus if people like yourself are not happy with the companies progress, future and opportunities then move on and let those of us with faith in the company get on with investing and supporting the company go forward stronger and better!!

[konradpuss] 26/5/2024 10:51

David, nothing has been lost as yet by shareholders unless they have already sold below their cost price.

Dear old Peter is obviously a Ravi acolyte. More fool him.

I will be a perfect nuisance/pain in the posterior if a very low offer is made. I don't want to be a small shareholder in an unlisted company with Ravi at the helm, however I will do if the only other option is to be mugged.

[davidosh] 26/5/2024 00:17

97peter...I think your statement that I should sell up is incredibly rude and you are from another investing planet if you think long term holders are known as MM's by individual investors. As frequent participant within the stock market I am sure most other investors will think an MM is a market maker who sets the stock prices for you to trade....that is why I asked.

The fact you suggest other shareholders are too small and should sell up and go is just plain rude as all shareholders are entitled to comment on here and no matter how many shares I have it is important to try to gain a return on my investment and not lose money.

If anything your postings on this board may have encouraged others to lose money in the past so I am far more likely to ignore your suggestions anyway. For the record I have a holding significantly greater than 10,000 shares but do not make a song and dance about the size of my holding in any company.

If you really do have 400,000 shares then I doubt this will have been a successful investment for you as many will have been purchased above 29p and you cannot sell that many for more than 25p if you try. There are shareholders here that have lost hundreds of thousands so I suggest you stay humble and consider others when you post.

[97peter] 25/5/2024 16:38

Konradpuss, Davidosh and other small holders with less than 10,000 shares should jus5 take 30p and go!!

[97peter] 25/5/2024 16:37

MM = Money Markets PI = Private Investors LTH = Long term holders.

[konradpuss] 25/5/2024 15:09

MM - possibly the board in hindustani?

[davidosh] 25/5/2024 14:56

97peter....Who are the MM that you are mentioning?