| Date | Subject |
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28/8/2020
11:31 | cjohn: I've just caught up with the results. In the circumstances, they look OK to me. I remain a holder here with quite a big position (relative to total company size.)
- As in the report: "Although the economic outlook remains uncertain, the discipline of forecasting has been maintained, though initially with a reduced horizon. Expectations for first half of 2020-21 are that with the continued use of Government funding assistance, the Group should do no worse than break even and will maintain a strong cash position."
These are vey encouraging words.
- Net cash was up at 756k. Current market cap: 1.7m.
- Trading at around net TANGIBLE book value. (it's not a net-net, net curtains!)
Trading at a deep discount to a sum-of-the-parts valuation. So as ever, it looks to me like the real value here would be in selling off the security division and using funds for re-investment in consulting businesses or a special dividend.
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20/8/2020
07:59 | netcurtains: thats THREE from list done well: EVE, FCCN and now PHSC
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20/8/2020
07:30 | value hound: I'd say these results were pretty much as expected in the weird circumstances. I'm glad they held the divi.
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20/8/2020
06:59 | netcurtains: EBITDA of GBP0.255m, an increase of approximately 120% from GBP0.116m
last year (after adjustment for exceptional gain on property sale of GBP0.166m
last year)
And proposing a DIVIDEND...
Final results out...
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08/8/2020
16:24 | netcurtains: PHSC - My feeling is, during the lockdown etc etc the market for PHSC has shrank considerably however the market that does exist (going forward) will have a much higher demand for Health and Safety.
I think the covid era could be a huge and interesting challenge for this company, it could be the making of them and since its a NETNET the down side is pretty small...
However the potential for serious business growth is there if they can grab a large enough slice of the covid health and safety market.
Anyway interesting proposition.
Market Cap about £1.3M Imagine if they ever made £1M net profit from an era dominated by covid Health and Safety? What will the Market Cap be if they started to make significant profit? £5M to £10M? Obviously a wild punt but who knows the future?
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04/8/2020
11:00 | netcurtains: This is a NETNET stock AND its in an ideal sector for Covid19 era - cleaning offices (Health & safety)
Blurb:
PHSC PLC, through its subsidiaries provides health, safety, hygiene & environmental consultancy and training services to organizations across the UK.
Https://www.phsc.co.uk/covid-19-risk-assessment/
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19/5/2020
12:54 | lehibou: I was looking through the AIM 100 in the IC and I noticed MARLOWE (MRL).This is a company that has rapidly expanded in the fields of health and safety,fire safety, water treatment,law, occupational health and air quality through numerous takeovers of smaller companies .Quite a conglomerate and reminds me of the Slater/Hanson era although Marlowe are mainly using cash plus earn outs. I wish them well, but the point of this rambling is the prices paid and the relevance to PHSC.
All millions
Company Revenue PBT Net Assets Price Paid
Solve Not disclosed
(HR and
employment law)
Managed Occupational 4 0.6 0.6 1.8 up to 3
Health
Eurosafe 3.4 up to 2.5
Law At Work 5.4 1.0 2.2 6.3 up to 10.3
(subscription based
employment law
and Health and safety)
Fire and Safety 4.3 0.6 1.2 2.4 up to 2.7
Systems Ltd
Quantum Compliance 4.5 0.5 1.0 4.0 up to 7.2
(health and safety)
Current Market Value
PHSC 4.43 0.28 5.3(?) 1.5 (inc 0.7 cash)
So what is my point. Marlowe seem to have a penchant for buying small companies that help others with the necessary but “irritating221; aspects of corporate life. If PHSC can ever turn around the security subsidiary (or sell it) then their profits should be nearer the £0.5mi level. Their worth as a stand alone company or as a purchase for another would in my opinion be in the region of 25-30p. A purchaser would surely be able to substantially reduce the Head Office costs. Do not be mesmerized by their net assets as they must surely be reduced by more write downs from the security side. Again courtesy of the IC, I noticed a quote from Stuart Widdowson (a manager of a small companies fund)
“We look at whether a company would be worth more to a trade buyer or a private equity investor”
N.B
All the Marlowe and PHSC's figures are pre COVID 19 but I think this demonstrates that when normality(?) returns and Health and Safety are still paramount in both company and public minds, then a re-evaluation could occur.
I have a holding and after my own analysis have bought more. I am happy with my position and the income stream (final might be passed as per other companies!),and view it as a long term holding but would not fight too hard against a takeover at the right price.
But these are my musings. I would be interested in other thoughts.
As ever DYOR please, and not take the above as an investment recommendation. I am using my own money and my own research for better or for worse. Again I repeat DYOR.
,
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28/2/2020
20:39 | value hound: Nice to get such a big divi today in % terms - particularly in such grim times.
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22/12/2019
17:28 | value hound: Yes - remember, it's only two years since PHSC were paying 1.5p in divis and the share price was as high as 26.5p (August 2016).
I don't expect any immediate return to that dividend level, but no reason why not within c.two years.
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22/12/2019
17:13 | cjohn: Obviously, writing off goodwill makes no difference to the economic reality of a company. It's an accounting item.
And I can't remember a case of writing off goodwill actually IMPROVING investor attitudes to a company, hence producing a price rise.
Sometimes, where the market has unrealistic expectations of a company, which is therefore trading at very high multiples, writing off goodwill may as a shock induce a sense of realism in investors, who then sell out and so the share price drops.
I wouldn't expect that to happen with PHSC. Sentiment is already negative towards the security division.
If they had a sustained period of decent trading, then the share price could appreciate significantly.
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PLUS1
