Quarto Share Discussion Threads

[vs] 09/7/2003 15:20

RNS Number:3635N
Quarto Group Inc
09 July 2003

THE QUARTO GROUP, INC

Comment on recent press speculation

The Board of Quarto, the London based and listed international book publisher,
has noted the recent press speculation, and movement in the Company's share
price.

The Board states that, in conjunction with its advisors, it is considering an
approach made to it which, subject to certain significant preconditions, might
lead to an offer being made for the Company.

[mathisvale] 07/7/2003 09:33

Today's rise caused by Sunday Telegraph article. It says that QRT may be facing 2 imminent bids from :-

1. JO Hambro Capital
2. Management buyout who are not too keen to be bought out cheaply

Watch this space !!!

[drw1] 07/7/2003 08:16

Ticking along nicely now.

[drw1] 26/6/2003 08:58

Nice move up this morning.Remains cheap as ever but presumably something in the background is moving the price today.

[drw1] 31/5/2003 00:20

Agreed.My view is short term fair value of at least 1.50.Main thing holding the price back is the falling Dollar which impacts negatively on reported profits.

[lorddavi] 30/5/2003 09:36

Nice rally since then, decent results announced, I think this has further to go. I brought in at 94p.

[drw1] 09/5/2003 08:10

Time for annother mark up.How long can the market value this company so pathetically?

[hollowman8d8] 06/3/2003 09:22

Shows that there are some monkeys out there. I wouldn't tell the halifax though if you deal again. I would let them work it out for themselves LOL

[jeff h] 05/3/2003 20:34

Spoke with Collins Stewart the Quarto house broker at the company's
suggestion.

They said yes, it is payable, so looks as though you got yourself
a good deal beckaroo

[jeff h] 03/3/2003 22:27

This Stamp Duty issue is an interesting one. I rang the co. and
they say no.... TD Waterhouse says yes per the Govt Office and
Hollowman reasoning.

I wonder which is correct ?

[beckaroo] 28/2/2003 20:54

Halifax originally charged me stamp duty but then sent me a letter yesterday saying they got it wrong and refunded me the money. Maybe they got it wrong again but I am not complaining.....

[hollowman8d8] 28/2/2003 13:49

The company has a UK Registrar so that means there is duty payable on these shares.

[jeff h] 28/2/2003 11:26

Shares mag briefly mentions that the CEO is surprised that nobody
has made a bid for the company.

TD Waterhouse charged me Stamp Duty.. I'll have to check with the
company to see if that was right or not

[beckaroo] 27/2/2003 23:58

It was a pleasant surprise to find out today that there is no stamp duty to pay for buying these shares. Makes a PE of less than 5 even better. Now all we need is for some good press to get people to start to notice this company.

[santangello] 21/2/2003 17:49

I hear you Jeff !

Good timing from the maestro again.

See you for lunch Wed m8.

Santangello

[jeff h] 21/2/2003 02:07

Beckaroo,

It's the Preference shares rather than the Ordinary shares
that most people buy/sell.

The Prefs carry a fixed dividend of 8.75p and are redeemable
at £1 in 2005.

A recommendation by the Investors Chronicle with Collins
Stewart looking for 130p (the Ords) in the short term.

Santa my position is...... I am long.... ok ??!

Jeff

[beckaroo] 20/2/2003 23:56

Does anyone know what the RNS means where they bought shares at 110p. Is this different stock to the main market?

Thanks

[santangello] 19/2/2003 00:11

Kama Sutra..........am tempted to ask what your position is.....................
..........strictly regarding the company that is lol !

Nice timing Jeff.

[jeff h] 16/2/2003 13:27

I got back in just before the results and added on the day.

The usual mix of positives and negatives on the trading front
with the loss of a big customer but gains elsewhere.

They've sold 80,000 copies of the Kama Sutra in the US and are
soon to publish it in the UK !

With a likely annual div of 5.5p+ and a determination to grow
the company I'm happy to have tucked some away and await developments.

[beckaroo] 14/2/2003 22:52

I can't believe the valuation. The cash flow is huge for a company of this market cap. Debt is the problem and scare many off but they are managing it well and I'm sure the debt wouldn't scare off any predators looking for a cheap compnay with good cash flow.

[drw1] 14/2/2003 10:33

Admittedly Quarto has traded on a low P.E over recent years,however it is currently even cheaper than usual.Given that they seem to be reducing debt effectively and are a well managed company with a low risk business strategy paying above average divedends a higher rating seems to me to be warranted.Obviously with such an unclear global outlook the re-rating will be capped untill the outlook becomes clearer.It is worth noting that the bulk of Quarto profit is made in h2 when with luck some of the current global problems may have been resolved.

[cb7] 14/2/2003 09:54

Unfortunately, it always seems to languish around these levels. This is probably due to their net debt, now 19.78, down from 29.3m just 1.5 years ago. I think it needs further reduction before they go on the acquisition trail. Because how many acquisitions will be earnings enhancing? Probably none, based on Qrt's present valuation. Two more years of debt reduction and if the shareprice hasnt doubled, then they will be in a position for a buy-out. I think this is a better strategy.

[drw1] 14/2/2003 08:09

A positive set of results in my opinion.Now looking as undervalued as ever for a relatively stable business with rising Divedend YIELD.Even if no growth at all is achieved this year a P.E. under 5 is surely too mean.

[drw1] 27/11/2002 22:29

Given the improving outlook in the U.S. these are due a decent bounce.Investors are just too pesimistic on this one.A P.E. under five with 6% and rising divi is surely crazy!

[santangello] 21/11/2002 00:24

So at what level do you perceive we should top up.
I cannot see these falling much lower on fundamentals.
A p/e of 5 is astonishing.

Santangello