Ricardo Share Discussion Threads

[crystalclear] 13/11/2004 21:56

I think it could be Rover/SAIC.
SAIC wants to be a global player and needs help to design its own cars.
Rover's deals with CamconTec and Antonov show that Rover is on a mission.
Rover's plans to takeover the FSO plant (together with SAIC) also shows how seriously the two are acting in getting things together.
They wouldn't buy a car plant without something to build, and they wouldn't build an old car, it would need to be a new one. New car designs are not trivial, and Rover maybe needs the help of other British experts - cue Ricardo - speculation, but a reasonable explanation for the China links.

Worth watching, to see if it can be confirmed.

[jelfsie] 11/11/2004 11:16

If this is indeed a trend change (on what were actually fairly indifferent results and much "qualification" as to the better outlook on orders), then look for a retest of the 200 EMA at around 200p followed by a strong move up on volume. I remain sceptical, and would look to lighten my position a little on this move (if I had one) but pleased for anyone who has made money in these difficlut markets.

[pictureframe] 11/11/2004 10:26

Heading back to £2.50 imho, chart looking interesting

[pictureframe] 08/11/2004 08:45

Any press coverage ?

That would be a good link up if it is Rover

[crystalclear] 05/11/2004 14:03

Ricardo PLC
05 November 2004

5 November 2004

Ricardo plc
AGM Statement

Ricardo plc is a leading UK independent automotive consultancy, employing over
1,580 people with technical centres in the UK, USA, Germany and the Czech
Republic. The company's client list includes the world's major OEMs. Ricardo is
a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100.

Ricardo plc is holding its Annual General Meeting today at which the Chairman,
Marcus Beresford, will make the following comments:

'Overall, trading in the first 18 weeks of the new financial year has been in
line with our expectations and our view on the outlook remains in line with that
expressed at the time of our preliminary results in September, when we expected
to see a progressively improving performance for the current financial year, in
the absence of any unexpected cancellations.

Our research and development work is continuing to produce practical solutions
to today's challenges - reductions in exhaust emissions, cost effective fuel
economy and the ability of the automobile manufacturers to get new products
quicker to market and at less cost - all continue to provide opportunities.
Ricardo's technical expertise is respected throughout the world and I am
confident that this will remain so.

There is continuing uncertainty in the automotive market. However we are less
reliant on the major US automobile companies than we were. We are continuing to
see a number of business opportunities coming out of the Far East and have
recently secured an order to provide controls & electronics technical consulting
to a domestic Chinese automotive company. This is an important step in the
development of our business in this growing market.

Overall our order prospects are significantly improved compared to this time
last year and at the end of September our order book was up year on year. In
line with previous years, we expect to give a clearer update on order visibility
at the time of our interims in February 2005, as the OEMs traditionally release
their new budgets in the first quarter of the calendar year.

In conclusion, I remain cautiously optimistic that the improving performance we
have been experiencing since the second half of last year will continue in this
new financial year.'

Enquiries:

Ricardo plc Today: 020 7554 1400
Rodney Westhead, Chief Executive Thereafter: 01273 455611
Andrew Goodburn, Finance Director

www.ricardo.com


Gavin Anderson & Company Tel: [phone]
Laura Hickman/Charlotte Stone




Is this the MR Rover - Shanghai Automotive collaberation?

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 13:24

up and up we go, wouldnt be suprised to see this taken out now. Shareprice at near all time low and market now pickingup for this co. Would make sense to get it whilst it cheap

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 12:56

spread is stupid

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 12:18

chart breakout ?

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 12:14

£2 on the bid now

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 12:12

They do seem to have got the company back on track, may be a while until we see £4.00 again but cant see why it wont get to £2.50 short term

[broadwood] 05/11/2004 09:33

Well an order book that has significantly improved seems pretty positive to me.

I would say price weakness is now behind us because that statement alone will put a floor under the price - mind you , I still have a long way to go to get my money back!

[jelfsie] 05/11/2004 09:10

Sorry its me again!!!!. Well, nice rise?. hang on, yesterday the offer was at 195p and today the bid is at...... um 195p, so nobody has made a bean (except the MM's who have a 7% spread!). The quoted 10% rise should be taken with the usual doese of salt. This should tell you that they are pretty much square, and there are as yet no institutional orders floating around - just the small punters being asked to pay high prices for small pozzies. Im still not buying as much as I would like to. Better opportunities elsewhere e.g CW. where the doom and gloom is resounding, and brokers all negative, but a closer look at the Q1 trading update suggests that whilst sales are still struggling, massive cost cutting will produce some pleasant surprises on cash generation at the interims due shortly. Im in there at 101p average. Good luck all.

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 08:53

expecting at least a 15% rise today, this bit I like

The group said it has identified business opportunities in the Far East and
has secured an order to provide controls and electronics technical consulting to
a domestic Chinese automotive company.

Anyone else have views on this?

[pictureframe] 05/11/2004 08:28

This will be back to at least £2.50 short term imho

Order book looking good

LONDON (AFX) - Ricardo PLC, an independent UK automotive consultancy, said
trading during the first 18 weeks of the new financial year has been in line
with expectations.
The automotive group said its order book had 'significantly' improved
against the same period last year and at the end of September, the order book
was up year on year.
The company reiterated its outlook which it issued alongside the preliminary
results in September.
The group said it has identified business opportunities in the Far East and
has secured an order to provide controls and electronics technical consulting to
a domestic Chinese automotive company.
The company chairman, Marcus Bereford, said: "I remain cautiously optimistic
that the improving performance we have been experiencing since the second half
of last year will continue in this new financial year."
[e-mail]
ec

[pictureframe] 21/10/2004 08:59

Last day tomorrow to get the divi of 6.3p

[pictureframe] 06/10/2004 12:53

I wish I had that sort of money ! Still I do hold a few of these and the director stumping up that sort of cash has made me more determined to hold, that and the fact the divi payments are being made.

Agree that there have been some massive trades lately, just sitting back and seeing where we go.

[pictureframe] 06/10/2004 07:39

even at £1.48 , still spent £75,000 of his own money

[crystalclear] 05/10/2004 21:08

When do the options expire?
If they expire soon, it probably from necessity.
If they expire in the distant future, its probably to take a profit, otherwise why not let them run?

[cheltspy] 04/10/2004 17:23

It was a 'EXERCISE OF OPTION' the price being 1.48. Yes a very good buy.

[jelfsie] 04/10/2004 15:26

We assume that means 188p. Good news for him if he bought at 148p.

[pictureframe] 04/10/2004 14:36

director bought 50,000 shares at 1.48p , must be good news on the horizon

[pictureframe] 20/9/2004 14:14

short should see £2 but will be another six months before it can be said all is on track

[foolishboy2000] 20/9/2004 13:01

Only briefly read the results, but it seems that they are expected and it will be the slow and steasy recovery that will happen. Not bad overall, cash generation should now start picking up, debt very manageable even after the dodgy patch. In my opinion a buy for the patient, but do not expect instant fireworks