Rps Share Discussion Threads

[rabain] 06/5/2005 12:51

And the finance director said.........

[phillis] 05/5/2005 11:46

No spoke to the finance director to query why employees had gone up 50% when profit had gone down. More than 1000 heads were added.

[adam7] 04/5/2005 18:30

Phillis. Thanx for your views. I'll still hang on to my holding.Touch and go at present though - bad week so far!Have you seen a recent trading statement from the Co.?

[phillis] 04/5/2005 17:32

Adam7 - the fundamentals have demonstrably changed. The profitability of 2 key business sectors has declined dramatically thru increased competition.

[adam7] 01/5/2005 10:28

The business fundamentals have not changed( what attracted me to buy in the first place). The bears appear in control of the market and most of the wise men think we're in for a sustained bear squeeze all sectors?? Maybe several years. Do we get out now folks, or hang in? Anyone with any views or are you all suitably depressed/and or drowning your sorrows this bank holiday weekend

[phillis] 29/4/2005 17:06

Going very definitely in the opposite direction at the moment!
The old base business has suffered a dramatic decline in profitability. Wait for more positive news before venturing in again

[adam7] 01/4/2005 16:37

Still looking and expecting 170p by end 05

[hipster7_uk] 01/4/2005 12:40

Thank you very much Graham, appreciated.

[grahamburn] 01/4/2005 12:30

This is hardly a stock for dividend chasers with a 1.7% yield, so shouldn't have much effect.

It should, in theory, be a growth share, but the recent results seemed somewhat negative to me in the short term. Hence the weakening share price.

[hipster7_uk] 01/4/2005 12:19

Can anyone tell me whether they think this will bounce or drop further when dividend paid 8th April after exit of dividend chasers

[tonyleongson] 23/3/2005 07:56

I SOLD AT 160.

[phillis] 22/3/2005 15:40

Didn't like these results. Profit increase of 9%+ but an increase in headcount of an astounding 46%. To my mind this demonstrates a downturn in the profit of the underlying business(Water and Holland). Spoke to the FD who was unconvincing and somewhat evasive. Still hold some but have lightened considerably.

[olivepeel] 11/3/2005 19:05

will bounce back - no worries

[rabain] 09/3/2005 09:26

What's the reason for share price reaction to results? Difficult to find any comment anywhere on RPS

[tonyleongson] 09/3/2005 07:43

LONDON (AFX) - RPS Group PLC delivered record underlying profit in 2004 after making a string of acquisitions, and the British support services company predicted further earnings growth this year.
Profit before tax and goodwill amortisation rose to 23 mln stg from 21.1 mln
on sales from continuing operations up 33 pct to 165.8 mln.
On that basis the environmental consultancy had been expected to deliver
profit of around 22.8 mln stg.
"As envisaged at the interim stage, the second half of 2004 produced good
results enabling RPS to report its thirteenth consecutive year of growth,"
chairman Brook Land said in a statement.
"We remain confident that the strength of our business, the talent and
commitment of our staff and the acquisitions made during the course of 2004
should help us maintain our momentum," he added.
RPS advises various public and private sector clients that are looking for
permission to develop land, buildings and transport links, on town and country
planning issues and other matters related to the environment.
Underlying profit climbed 18 pct to 12.6 mln stg in the second half of the
year.
Net profit rose one pct to 12 mln stg though diluted earnings per share fell
to 6.09 pence from 6.16.
The company lifted its final dividend 15 pct to 1.08 pence per share, the
full-year payout rising 15 pct to 2.09 pence.
RPS shares closed Monday at 155.75 pence, valuing the business at around 308
mln stg.

[tonyleongson] 09/3/2005 07:42

RNS Number:4412J
RPS Group PLC
08 March 2005

RPS GROUP PLC

Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2004

RPS Group plc today announces record results for the year ended 31 December
2004, with earnings per share (before goodwill amortisation) increased 9% over
last year.

* Profit (before taxation and goodwill amortisation) increased by 9% to
#23.0 million (2003: #21.1 million)

* Earnings per share (before goodwill amortisation) increased by 9% to
9.41 pence (2003: 8.62 pence)

* Recommended final dividend 1.08 pence per share: full year dividend
increased to 2.09 pence (2003: 1.82 pence)

* Successful integration and development of energy business, which has
good prospects

* Acquisitions completed in 2004 have accelerated development of the
Group's major businesses

* NCE "International Consultancy of the Year" 2004.

Brook Land, Chairman, said:

"As envisaged at the Interim stage, the second half of 2004 produced good
results enabling RPS to report its thirteenth consecutive year of growth. This
demonstrates that we operate effectively in market segments with long term
attractions. We remain confident that the strength of our business, the talent
and commitment of our staff and the acquisitions made during the course of 2004
should help us maintain our momentum."

Group Results

Group turnover increased 36% to #169.9 million (2003: #124.6 million). Profit
(before tax and goodwill amortisation) increased 9.3% to #23.0 million (2003:
#21.1 million). Undiluted earnings per share (before goodwill amortisation)
increased 9.2% to 9.41 pence (2003: 8.62 pence).

Dividend

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 1.08 pence per share payable
on 1 June 2005 to shareholders on the register on 8 April 2005. The total
dividend for the full year will be 2.09 pence (2003: 1.82 pence).

Strategy

The strategy of the Group has been clear, consistent and successful for a number
of years. We are building market leading positions in high value segments of our
expanding market through a combination of organic growth and the acquisition of
high quality businesses. The effective implementation of this strategy explains
the strong growth RPS has achieved over the last decade and the successful
development of an increasingly international business. A pleasing aspect of our
activities in 2004 was the completion of a number of significant acquisitions
which underpin the future expansion of the Group. The Board remains committed
to this strategy and confident in its success.

Markets and Operations

During the year we invested further in developing our presence in the energy
sector. The acquisition of Hydrosearch (September 2003) formed the core of this
activity and was, during 2004, supplemented with the addition of Troy-Ikoda
(March), Bowman Bishaw Gorham (April) and Cambrian Consultants (July). These
businesses broadened the scope of our skills and geographical reach in this
sector, as well as providing an introduction to the planning and development
market in Australia. In addition, we have included our existing geological team
and engineering and safety group in this business, the latter in order to
supplement its nuclear sector client base with oil and gas exploration and
production clients. Managing the acquisition and integration of these
additional businesses is being satisfactorily progressed, with the result that
we have positioned ourselves strongly in this market and done so ahead of our
expectations. We believe that further significant growth in this business is
possible. The oil and gas sector is likely to be attractive for a number of
years, driven by high commodity prices, coupled with increasing pressures for
improved environmental and social performance from exploration and production
companies. Improved public sector support for renewable energy schemes,
particularly wind farms, also makes this market attractive. Stabilisation of
the nuclear decommissioning and clean up industries should follow the
establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in April 2005 and create
additional opportunities.

The planning and development market in both the UK and Ireland remain buoyant.
We remain market leaders in both countries. This position was strengthened by
the acquisition of Mason Richards Partnership in April. In the UK we are high
profile participants in both private and public sector developments and
infrastructure projects. In the private sector we advise upon all major types
of development activity: housing, retail, commercial and leisure. We are
providing planning and environmental advice on large, mixed regeneration
schemes, in Wembley, Stratford and Kings Cross designed to maintain and enhance
London's position as a world city. Our infrastructure work embraces transport,
renewable energy, water and waste projects. Our appointment as planning and
environmental advisors to BAA plc on the project to achieve planning permission
to construct a new runway and associated facilities at Stansted, follows on from
our successful work on the Terminal 5 project at Heathrow. In the UK the
imminent loss of crown immunity in respect of development planning matters,
introduced in the Planning & Compensation Act 2004 is causing a number of our
public sector clients to have to review their approach towards achieving
permission for new capital works.

Our planning business in Ireland continues to serve a wide range of private and
public sector clients. The acquisition of Kirk McClure Morton (October), the
leading Northern Ireland consultancy, has further strengthened the Group's
operations in coastal projects and studies and in river catchment management.
Opportunities will emerge for the Group as greater political emphasis is placed
on cross-border policies and co-operation. This is already evidenced with
common cross-border policies being put in place on environmental protection. Our
role advising the Irish Government on its waste disposal strategy was of
particular note during the year and this contract has been extended to 2006. We
have, as a result, consolidated our position as Ireland's leading waste
management expert and this has resulted in a number of strategic appointments.
Our Irish business is also well positioned in the transport sector with major
appointments secured on a number of long term highway projects.

The UK markets for health & safety consulting were strong throughout the year
driven in part by new regulations regarding the investigation and discovery of
asbestos in the workplace. This was supported by the general awareness of the
significance of health & safety issues in the public and private sector. In
consequence, we are continuing to have success with the delivery of risk
management information using our bespoke internet platform with both property
owners and those who manage property on their behalf. In the Netherlands the
poor economy has held back property development which tends to drive much of the
asbestos market. The continuing adverse economic conditions have also
restricted other elements of our business in the Netherlands. There were,
however, signs of recovery at the end of the year. The acquisition of
Ingenieursbureau BCC in October has broadened our business and enabled us to
secure a major contract advising upon water levels and land use for 23 Dutch
polders (4,660 hectares).

We also have a strong business in the water sector in all parts of the UK and
Ireland. In England and Wales Ofwat's final determination of its quinquennial
review was made in December. This put significant cost pressures on the
privatised water companies. Since the final determination we have been
establishing what support our clients will need and positioning ourselves for
the available work. Volumes of work are likely to grow over the next few years,
the principal uncertainty relating to rates and margins and the extent to which
we will be able to add value for our clients in respect of particular types of
work. Clarity on this may not be available for some months. The acquisition of
Flow Control in June has, in any event, enabled us to strengthen the quality of
our consultancy offering. In Ireland we achieved significant appointments during
the year, particularly as advisors to Dublin City Council for the identification
of a new water supply source for the Dublin Region, a project likely to continue
until 2013, and appointment as regional project managers and technical advisors
for the integrated waste water framework for Northern Ireland. Building on our
experience of the catchment study of the River Shannon we were successful in
being appointed as consultants for the North South Share Catchment Study which
covers all of Northern Ireland and four border counties in Southern Ireland,
with completion scheduled for 2008. In Scotland the recent reorganisation of
Scottish Water is now generating a range of projects; we are well positioned to
benefit from this.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Net assets at the year end stood at #134.6 million (2003: #122.3 million). The
net cash inflow from operating activities was #15.9 million. During the course
of 2004 #30.9 million of cash was spent on new acquisitions and 3.5 million new
shares to the value of #4.2 million issued to the vendors of those companies.
Net debt at the year end was #16.2 million (2003: net cash #21.5 million). The
Group has total facilities of #42 million, which are adequate to maintain our
strategy.

Our acquisition model has a significant proportion of the consideration from
each transaction deferred, normally over a two or three year period. This helps
to ensure that goodwill acquired is transferred to RPS. During the course of
2004, #10.6 million of deferred consideration was paid in cash and 0.8 million
shares to the value of #1.0 million were issued to the vendors of businesses
acquired in previous years. At 31 December 2004 the total consideration
outstanding was #21.5 million, of which #20.9 million is payable in cash and
#0.6 million in new RPS shares. Of the total due at the end of 2004, #10.3
million is payable in 2005, of which #9.7million is payable in cash and #0.6
million in shares.

The year end balance sheet includes, within intangible fixed assets, "goodwill"
of #129.6 million (2003: #87.7 million). Since the introduction of FRS 10 in
1998, our acquisition strategy has given rise to increasing levels of goodwill
on the balance sheet. The Board has adopted the generally accepted policy of
amortising goodwill over its useful economic life which is estimated to be up to
20 years. Such a policy does not, however, reflect the Board's view that the
overall value of the investments made has actually increased rather than
diminished.

Staffing

Staff numbers grew from 2,061 on 1 January 2004 to 3,056 on 31 December 2004.
The average number of employees during the year was 2,525. The share incentive
schemes approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in April 2004
have begun to be rolled out and represent an attractive component of our overall
benefits package. In most of our activities there is a skill shortage,
particularly for more senior, qualified individuals. In the energy sector a
particular dimension of this is that clients (both oil and gas and nuclear
safety) have begun significant recruitment campaigns in order to fulfil their
own requirements. We need, therefore, to review the issues of recruitment and
retention on a regular basis, but believe we are currently well placed.

Foreign Currency

We have had operations in Ireland and Netherlands for a number of years and
consequently have been exposed to exchange movements between Sterling and the
Euro. The expansion of our energy business has increased our exposure to the US
and Australian Dollars. The Euro strengthened relative to Sterling during much
of the year with a beneficial effect on consolidated results whilst in the last
quarter the US Dollar weakened which had the opposite effect. We have in place
various management and organisational systems to reduce the impact of currency
movements.

Five year record

In the five years ended 31 December 2004 Group turnover increased from #32.4
million to #169.9 million and profit (before tax and goodwill amortisation) from
#6.7 million to #23.0 million. Earnings per share (before goodwill
amortisation) have grown from 3.47 pence to 9.41 pence. During this period the
breadth of our activities has increased significantly, thereby increasing the
strength of the Group's market position. This long term growth confirms that
RPS operates in attractive markets and does so effectively.

Corporate Governance

We have undertaken a full review of our performance measured against the new
Combined Code, the results of which will be published in our Annual Report. We
believe this demonstrates a high level of compliance.

We are well advanced in preparing for the introduction of IFRS. The most
significant change in our reported results will relate to the treatment of
goodwill. Amortisation will no longer be required unless impairment is
demonstrated.

Prospects

We are encouraged that most of our markets are buoyant and we are well
positioned in them. Securing and retaining the services of talented staff
remains challenging; however, our market leading position and employment
conditions make us an attractive employer. The acquisitions made in 2004 should
support our growth in 2005 and beyond. The success of our business in the energy
sector in 2004 and its prospects for the future are particularly encouraging.
Overall, the Group remains well positioned to achieve continued growth.

[tonyleongson] 03/3/2005 11:37

Broker Recommendations - Thursday 3rd March 2005, 11:05 am

Altium Securities says buy RPS Group (LSE: RPS.L - news).

[lisa279] 24/2/2005 17:30

Tony,

I think you will find the odd 500k thats in the SELL on ADVFN is actualy a BUY!!

If thats how good your research is,that you rely on advfns trades for accuracy........



Lisa :)

[lisa279] 24/2/2005 17:09

tony.

Good Luck.

[tonyleongson] 23/2/2005 15:30

On the move!

[adam7] 20/2/2005 15:53

Prelim. results already stated see thread article. Will be published 8th March Should pass 160 soon?

[tole] 18/2/2005 12:52

RPS Group plc will be announcing preliminary results for the year ended 31
December 2004 on Tuesday, 8 March 2005.

Just over two weeks then...be interesting to see if it starts to build up steam before the results. Would like to say goodbye to 160 asap...

[tonyleongson] 14/2/2005 13:29

Broker Recommendations - Friday 11th February 2005, 11:00 am

Merrill says buy Man Group (LSE: EMG.L - news - msgs) and RPS Group (LSE: RPS.L - news).

[tole] 14/2/2005 11:34

Having a look at 160.