S & U Share Discussion Threads

[dd776] 11/8/2009 08:23

shares traded yesterday but none when the news comes out ! (funny :- yea)

[pugugly] 11/8/2009 08:17

Excellent - Back to sleep until 24th September.

[dd776] 11/8/2009 07:06

Very positive and reassuring Trading Statement
11 August 2009
S & U PLC ("S&U" or "the Company")
Trading update
Notice of Results
S&U, Britain's foremost niche home credit and motor finance provider, today
announces a trading update for the six months to 31 July. The Company is pleased
to announce that it is currently trading in line with market expectations and
intends issuing its Interim results on 24 September 2009.
HOME CREDIT
Current trading and profitability within our home credit division is very
satisfactory and is encouraging for the full year outlook.
A more cautious sales and underwriting environment in the last six months has
nevertheless seen a steady increase in customer numbers on shorter-term loan
agreements and therefore more flexible book debt. This has been reflected in an
improvement in collections quality and impairment against last year. Tight
expense and overhead control has seen this represented in improved
profitability; returning customer confidence should therefore see further profit
advances in the second half of this financial year.
MOTOR FINANCE
Advantage Finance, our motor finance business which comprises just over 30% of
Group revenue, continues to trade well and to exceed budget. Whilst applications
continue to grow, a strict and prudent underwriting policy has seen revenue fall
slightly by 4%, but overall collections are slightly ahead on stable book debt.
Advantage continues to broaden its product range into the non-prime market and
has seen significant improvements in debt quality as a result.
Although early redemptions are still lower than a year ago, borrowings are
significantly lower too, thus allowing headroom for expansion in both its
traditional sub-prime and newer non-prime markets.
FUNDING AND CAPITAL
In uncertain times, S&U's treasury and funding position is strong and continuing
to strengthen. Gearing and borrowings are both less than last year, the latter
by more than GBP4 m. Our medium term finance and overdraft facilities give us
the potential for organic growth and careful acquisitions, particularly in the
home credit sector.
OUTLOOK
As predicted S&U's trading has remained strong and the Company has strengthened
its balance sheet, despite a particularly volatile and uncertain time in the
economic cycle, Current trends suggest further progress in the second half, and
a business performance which reflects the robust nature of our business model in
the challenging economic environment.
Commenting, Mr Anthony Coombs, S&U Chairman, said:
"Trading is in line in the first half and the outlook for the full year remains
positive".

Like the bit: careful acquisitions, particularly in the
home credit sector. Could it buy some of cattles door to door lending?

Q. Why the big increase in share price yesterday ???

[jeffian] 10/8/2009 15:44

The free float is so small - most of the shares are held by the Coombes family - that it doesn't take much volume to shift the price substantially. The trouble is, that's true in both directions!

[cwa1] 10/8/2009 12:55

Perky. Only 1500 shares showing as traded. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

[cwa1] 10/8/2009 11:16

Off in the opposite direction now :-)

[dd776] 07/8/2009 05:29

hi are cars selling in britain with the goverment aid (clunkers) if so this will be a boost to this company. should be moving up with all the bank news ?

[oniabsta] 07/8/2009 03:16

To add plus trades to your monitor (majority of trades in SUS) type in the Add Shares box "plus:sus.gb"

[taylor20] 03/8/2009 08:23

Selftrade 'Busy' this morning, didn't manage to get under the spread, but close enough to 320p for a first bite. Will leave the limit buy running for a second tranche if the opportunity presents.

[taylor20] 02/8/2009 18:29

This is selftrade, its got to be a good 10% below the limit price for over a week before it triggers. Or at least I think that's how it works, based on my experiences!

You pays your money, you takes your choice, etc.

[oniabsta] 02/8/2009 13:24

Taylor20

It wont trigger whilst the offer is above your limit of 320 (I.E. 325) but if you get a quote it will be within the bid offer spread e.g. I was quoted 319 so I bought.

[taylor20] 01/8/2009 14:47

Right direction for me, limit buy @ 320 did not trigger though.

[dd776] 01/8/2009 09:03

13 trades on plus markets friday, share is being traded but in the wrong direction.

[cwa1] 31/7/2009 16:02

Just put an order for a couple of thousand on the book at 306, will see if anyone bites :-)

[oniabsta] 31/7/2009 16:02

The last trade was mine. I see most of the trades are thro' plus mkts

[pugugly] 31/7/2009 15:43

dd776. SUS always a very thin market and any volume either way moves the sP significantly.

management have always (usually) been very focused and know their business well. Main risk factors could be increase in bad debt but they appear to know their borrowers better than the credit card companies andfunding but last statements appeared relaxed. Refs shows ntav at 373p per share but gearing at 71.5% Dividend cover only 1.68 X.

However at 319p - Last trade yield over 10% if div held at 32p.

Declaration I hold but sleep well.

[dd776] 31/7/2009 11:31

I expect an update quite soon, no reason for the drop except for the problem cattles is having.
Taken from the last management statement in may

Outlook

Whilst it would be unwise to over anticipate any green shoots of recovery, S&U is cautiously optimistic about the outlook and is trading in line with its expectations in the year to date.




S&U will issue a further trading update following its half year ending 31 July 2009. The interim results are scheduled for release in September 2009.

Daniel Stewart brokers have a target price of 4.90 a bit low if the figures are good

[cwa1] 29/7/2009 13:15

Patience required here methinks.

Back to sleep again. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

[dd776] 29/7/2009 11:59

Cor just bought 1000 and then it moves down. still me thinks it will be a good trading statement.

[cwa1] 20/7/2009 10:53

Quiet stuff hereabouts. Huge repurchase of shares just announced:

On 17 July 2009 S&U plc bought 1,650 cumulative 31.5% preference shares
for cancellation at 55 pence per share, representing 0.05% per cent. of the
Company's current issued cumulative 31.5% preference share capital.


Following the cancellation of these shares, the Company has 3,599,106
cumulative 31.5% preference shares in issue. These cumulative 31.5% preference
shares do not carry voting rights.

:-)

[cwa1] 27/5/2009 09:15

Someone must have woken one of the market makers up :-) Or maybe they've just fallen asleep at the wheel and accidentally lent on the tick up button.....

[this_is_me] 22/5/2009 11:34

I bought a few more earlier. I am surprised that there was not any price reaction to the statement.

[philjeans] 22/5/2009 08:43

No prob; there are many, many lenders out there charging far higher rates than S&u.

[joshalexander] 22/5/2009 08:22

If the next Tory Government impose a limit on the max loan APR a Company can levy, where does this leave their business model?.

[cwa1] 22/5/2009 07:40

Very surprising for such a normally conservative bunch! Delighted to hear that things seem to be going so well....



Whilst it would be unwise to over anticipate any green shoots of recovery, S&U is cautiously optimistic about the outlook and is trading in line with its expectations in the year to date.