Ricardo Share Discussion Threads

[pictureframe] 17/9/2004 13:21

results out Monday, looking froward to seeing them

[jelfsie] 14/9/2004 09:15

Why do you push someone (so newly appointed) simply because he is unfortunate to be in charge of a business who's markets have fallen off the rails. In my experience there is usually more too it. Dont get me wrong, this company is definitely on my radar but I continue to take issue with the sentiments of your thread - at least until I see concrete signs of the beginnings of a recovery. Still has the potential to move to 120p.

[crystalclear] 14/9/2004 09:15

Does anybody know anything about this seven speed Ricardo dual clutch transmission?

See
The name comes from the powertrain, a quad-turbo V-12 developed by Mercedes' performance arm, AMG. The 6.0-liter engine produces 850 hp @ 5750 rpm and 850 lb-ft of torque, translating to 142 hp per liter. This massive Hemi-embarrassing output is managed by a seven-speed Ricardo double-clutch transmission developed specifically for this car. Weighing just 2880 lbs, the carbon-fiber-bodied ME Four-Twelve reportedly can go 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and blaze the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds at 142.0 mph. Calculated top speed is 248 mph.

Could Ricardo be Antonov's partner, or is this a different seven speed dual clutch transmission? Roumen Antonov's car is supposed to be presented at the Geneva motorshow with a seven speed dual clutch transmission, and Roumen Antonov would use an Antonov PLC transmission for sure.

[pictureframe] 14/9/2004 08:50

Hi Jelf,

I think he may have been told to fall on his sword, taken for trading update all
the section of the business were recovering apart from the part he was in charge of:

"Our transmissions business, however, saw continued difficult trading conditions
and did not perform as well as we had anticipated earlier in the year. Whilst
this will impact on the results for the full year, we expect to see some
improvement in this business when lower margin contracts are completed as we
move into the new financial year."

[jelfsie] 06/9/2004 15:06

Oh look out. Here we go, we all know what normally follows board resignations without reason. If companies fail to give proper reason they cant moan about idle speculation. I wonder if it is because this particular MD has been uttering reassuring noises to his board about his division's trading performance prematurely. Would not be the first. Very close to the final results announcement, so its hold on to your hats time for holders (and Im not one as yet).

[explorer88] 07/8/2004 13:27

Check out OMG (www.omg3d.com / www.vicon.com)

With world class products, new markets opening up and cash available for further acquisitions, we expect OMG's turnover to increase dramatically in the next twelve months. Our fair value price targets for OMG are:

July 2005 : 52p (market cap. £28 million) + 116% on current level
July 2006 : 91p (market cap. £49 million) + 279% on current level

Current Price : 24p (market cap. £13 million)

Siggraph event starting Monday 9th August will generate significant sales for new MX system

[moonblue] 14/7/2004 10:00

Post removed by ADVFN

[jelfsie] 14/7/2004 09:41

Never posted on Regus as far as I can remember, but anyway, back to RCDO I would add that I had expected more of a drop yesterday. Reinforces the view that 180p area is crucial (about 5% divi yield giving clear support). Not many holders currently prepared to sell at these levels for the time being. Price action around here will lead to a big move one way or another. ALL IMHO of course.

[pictureframe] 14/7/2004 09:26

Wasnt directed at you Jelfsie, quite right different views make the market and this is an extremely risky share short term.

I seem to remember agreeing with you on Regus and I got that one very wrong (still think that it is way overvalued).

Good luck

[jelfsie] 14/7/2004 09:21

If that is directed at me you dont have to justify yourself, good luck to you. We all make good investments long term but get our short term timing wrong. I admit it with good grace when I do it (I refer you to my only thread WDSW), I was a bit "irked" when you refused to even though it was staring you right in the face. PS I still think it is too early to be investing in this company, as you well know, but I guess that is what makes a market.

[jelfsie] 13/7/2004 20:50

cheers campbed, re-read my post and it sounded a bit obnoxious (wasnt meant to be, just in a hurry). Sorry to all.

[campbed] 13/7/2004 19:27

jelfsie

Re #273

Let me be as generous as you and say I've now read the house broker's morning notes. They have moved from hold to ADD believing that RCDO is seeing the beginning of its recovery yet the share price remains at close to 12 month lows. It has reduced its Y/e June 04 EBTAEx (PBT normalised) to only £1.5m from £2.5m but has maintained Y/E June 05 f'cast at £8m leading to normalised dil EPS 13.2p for a forward PER of 13.6 and good yield of 5% on 9p div and forecasts y/e Jun 06 at a 25% increase in EBTAEx to £10m and normalised dil EPS of 16.9.

[pictureframe] 13/7/2004 16:58

might get better guidance from company with results (september)

[jelfsie] 13/7/2004 10:03

my broker, so im doing you a favour sharing them with you.

[goliard] 13/7/2004 09:53

I've only traded these once and managed to bag a profit, but i'm tempted back in again now. Where did you all get the analyst estimates from?

[jelfsie] 13/7/2004 09:38

2004: PBT:£3M (EPS 4.5p) and maintained divi 9p, 2005: PBT £9M (EPS 14.5p) and unchanged divi. Company now going to barely break even with 2005 projections totally up in the air. 125p - 150p area is very possible from here. DYOR of course.

[campbed] 13/7/2004 09:32

picture

re your #267 VERY ENCOURAGING + DIVI CONFIRMED + BACK IN PROFIT !!
#271 Bouncing back up now


I think you've got your rose-tinted glasses on.

RNS actually said:

Although we anticipate reporting a profit for the full year, this will fall short of current market expectations for profit before tax, exceptionals and goodwill

Those market expectations were for a EBTAEx of £2.88m so now I guess we are looking at around £2m but have not yet seen brokers morning notes, particularly ABN Amro/Hoare Govett. But the key will be the outlook for 04/05 where consensus EBITAEx is for £8.75m and adj dil EPS of 14.2p.

In current market sentiment, RCDO will sit at 170-190p until interims report next year.

[blackbear] 12/7/2004 17:35

I agree with jelfsie....pic as u know ive been in this stock before for the long term , but i saw better elsewhere and sold up a few months ago , reading this statement i just get the feeling they are painting over crack's in the buiseness ,i would like to hear some desposal's new's or something , get rid of the old wood..... some more positive action !!
still worth watching i think...

good luck till next time..

[pictureframe] 12/7/2004 16:25

Bouncing back up now

LONDON (AFX) - Ricardo PLC said it expects full-year profit before tax,
exceptionals and goodwill to miss analyst forecasts, hit by difficult trading
conditions at its transmissions business.
Its international operations remained profitable and all other UK businesses
traded in line with its expectations.
The company still expects to post a profit in the year ended June 30, and
said it intends to maintain the dividend.
Borrowings will be around 11 mln stg, better than expected, the company
said.
Ricardo also said the claim made by Rolls Royce Power Engineering PLC and
Allen Power Engineering Limited against Ricardo Consulting Engineers Limited has
been resolved.

[goliard] 12/7/2004 15:59

What was the profit expectation?

[jelfsie] 12/7/2004 15:35

Claim been resolved?. What a spurious lot. Well, are they going to let us know the cost (or otherwise)?. A whole lot can still go wrong from here and the debt creeps up. Im still not buying. But I wish luck to those holding.

[pictureframe] 12/7/2004 15:29

IF THIS FALL FURTHER IM IN FOR SOME MORE..VERY ENCOURAGING + DIVI CONFIRMED + BACK IN PROFIT !!


RNS Number:7391A
Ricardo PLC
12 July 2004

12 July 2004

Ricardo plc
Pre-Close Trading Update
Conclusion of Rolls Royce Claim

Pre-Close Trading Update

Today the Board of Ricardo plc is today providing a trading update before the
Company enters the close period in respect of the year ended 30 June 2004.
Ricardo will announce its Preliminary Results on Monday 20 September 2004.

Since the announcement of our interim results in February, we are pleased to
report that we are continuing to see a more encouraging outlook for the business
following the challenges of 2003/4 when Ricardo saw the toughest trading
conditions for 10 years.

Although the automotive market remains challenging, the order book has continued
to strengthen and increased from #45m to #53m in the second half, up 18%. The
order book also reflects a focus on better margin contracts with an improved and
broader customer mix.

Our UK businesses are responding well to the action taken to reduce our cost
base by some #10m per annum, the full benefits of which will come through in the
new financial year.

In February, we reported that January 2004 was the best order intake month for
our engines business in Shoreham since March 2002. We continued to see higher
activity levels during the period and the order book has continued to grow, with
a broader mix of customers and improved margins. This is a solid performance in
difficult markets. Our vehicle engineering business had a tough six months in
line with our expectations, but has also seen some signs of improving prospects
for the new financial year.

Our transmissions business, however, saw continued difficult trading conditions
and did not perform as well as we had anticipated earlier in the year. Whilst
this will impact on the results for the full year, we expect to see some
improvement in this business when lower margin contracts are completed as we
move into the new financial year.

In February, we reported that our strategic consulting business had made a loss
in the first half and was facing difficult market conditions. These continued
into the second half but in the last quarter we won some important new business
and our order book is now much improved with higher activity levels.

Our international operations have performed well and we are seeing increased
interest from other markets particularly Asia. The German business which we
acquired in 2003 is profitable and earnings enhancing. In the US we continue to
make profits in a tough market.

In conclusion, whilst our international operations remained profitable and all
our other UK businesses traded in line with our expectations, the results from
our transmissions business were disappointing. This had an impact on our trading
performance overall for the full year, although we moved from a loss in the
first half into improving profits in the second half. Accordingly, although we
anticipate reporting a profit for the full year, this will fall short of current
market expectations for profit before tax, exceptionals and goodwill.

The balance sheet remains strong and we anticipate reporting borrowings in the
order of #11m, which is better than expected. Given our current view of the
outlook for next year and in the absence of unforeseen circumstances, it is the
Board's intention to maintain the dividend for the full year.

Whilst recent performance has been adversely affected by difficult market
conditions, given the improving strength of our order book we are increasingly
confident that the future outlook for the Group remains positive for the new
financial year.

With its strengthening global coverage, Ricardo remains well placed to exploit
opportunities as markets recover and is on track to see an improved performance
in the new financial year.

Conclusion of Rolls Royce Claim

The claim made by Rolls Royce Power Engineering PLC and Allen Power Engineering
Limited against Ricardo Consulting Engineers Limited has been resolved.

[pictureframe] 25/6/2004 08:53

Thanks,

Yes I hope that next statement will continue in the vain of the last few (recovery continues). USA economy recovery bodes well for this.

Certainly a lot more buying activity in this share than there has been for a while.