Sage Share Discussion Threads

[big investor2] 01/5/2006 03:10

Perhaps MS want the share price down so they can buy it at 350p rather than 500p ;)

[johnsmithbillion] 30/4/2006 00:22

dont forget the recent trading statement...

Sage's revenues, operating profit and pre-tax profit were all in line with
market expectations....

The current market averages of analyst forecasts for the six months ended 31
March 2006, under International Financial Reporting Standards, are as follows:

Revenues of £444m, operating profit of £115m, pre-tax profit of £111m.

[johnsmithbillion] 29/4/2006 12:45

I just could not believe my luck yesterday, my favourite stock was back to my 250p buying level!!! Who was it that said it would not come back to 250p? I am elated because I just cannot believe increased spending by MSFT will hurt Sage. Surely this investment is mainly about beefing up MSN. Even if they do significantly ramp up spending at MS Dynamics, I am confident Sage will fend them off. After all MS have made no dents so far. I am a great believer in Sage!!!

[lyntwyn] 28/4/2006 10:23

shorters having a good go at this. I guess they'll clear off before may 9th, by which time there should be a rebound!

[maddox] 26/4/2006 19:43

Lyntwyn,

More on the bullish comments from Deutsche Bank.

'The German owned broker repeated its 'buy' recommendation and 305 pence target, saying it believes the group's organic performance will continue to benefit from a robust demand backdrop. It added that it expects the group's results to reveal strength in the US, the UK entry level and in France, while it also expects the group to continue its acquisition strategy to support earnings. Deutsche Bank noted however, that Sage's decision to walk away from Visma underlines that while the group has the capacity to fund large deals it also operates a rigorous investment discipline and is unwilling to compromise its longer term ability to negotiate hard on deals.'

Regards, Maddox

[maddox] 26/4/2006 16:38

Lyntwyn,

I'm impressed by Sage's metal in refusing to budge on the value they have put on Visma. I note that the alternative bidder is a company put together for the sole purpose of offering a higher price for Visma. It thus offers no synergy benefits and no new ideas apart from a different view on their shareprice.

If it is just a ruse to bid up Sage - then hardluck chaps it hasn't worked. Visma offered scale in a fairly mature market, Sage might find better value in other more rapidly growing European countries further East.

Regards, Maddox

[lyntwyn] 26/4/2006 11:56

This explains today's share price move!

Sage Group 266-1/2 up 5-1/2
Deutsche targets 305 pence

[lyntwyn] 19/4/2006 10:17

Sage, the FTSE 100 accounting software group, could fail in its bid for Visma after the smaller Norwegian rival said that it had received a higher takeover offer from Engel Holding, of Austria.


Bridgewell Securities reiterates "overweight" - afx

[lyntwyn] 16/4/2006 11:03

I agree, but no doubt that others are casting a rule over it quite often, MSFT being the more often rumoured. The SAGE brand is so strong here that any change in ownership could possibly trigger a mass exodus of customers, hence perhaps a worry for any predator! SGE commands a parochial kind of loyalty from its clients in the UK. But as it acquires others across the world, perhaps this will become diluted and will then become a more likely takeover candidate. Personally I would rather it continued to grow as it has done for years, as its medium/long term share price potential is imo far greater than a bid of ,say £4, that it may attract currently.

todays Times-
WELL REGARDED though it is, Sage rarely generates much in the way of excitement. The leading supplier of accounting and management software for small businesses tends to plug away steadily, supplementing its solid organic growth with occasional small acquisitions.

The company's £350m bid for Visma, a Norwegian rival, hit an un-Sage-like hiccup last week when, in a curiously ambivalent statement, Visma's board withdrew its earlier recommendation of the takeover offer.

The justification for this was that some of Visma's larger shareholders would like a higher price. Fancy that.

Fancy this, too: a large chunk of Visma's shares are now in the hands of hedge funds.

It is to Sage's credit that its management have resisted any temptation to sweeten the price, adopting a "take it or leave it" attitude.

Sage could still win control of Visma when its offer closes on Thursday. But its willingness to walk away rather than overpay is perhaps the more encouraging signal for investors.

[metallica] 13/4/2006 20:32

I am surprised Sage is not a target for a takeover considering its dominant position in accountancy software in the UK.

[lyntwyn] 13/4/2006 16:25

I reckon this will be a good scoop for SGE if it still goes ahead!

Oslo software firm sceptical of Sage advice
By Joe Bolger

SAGE GROUP yesterday ruled out raising a £334 million offer for its latest takeover target, as its attempt to burst into the Norwegian accounting software market looked to be at risk of derailing.

[lyntwyn] 12/4/2006 12:49

Sage Group 261-1/4 down 3-1/4
Visma board withdraws support for Sage Group's 125 nkr cash bid -afx

[lyntwyn] 11/4/2006 14:31

Good stuff! A number of brokers are now aiming for 300+, which should help to keep the share price moving positively (after recent minor pullback)!

[miata] 11/4/2006 10:25

Business software group Sage was upgraded to 'outperform' from 'underperform' at CA Cheuvreux following the trading update released this morning.

The broker raised its price target to 305p from 260p previously and said first half revenues, operating profit and pre-tax profits are all in line with expectations

Bridgewell Securities also said it was sticking with its 'overweight' stance, arguing that organic growth remains slightly ahead of its forecasts.

[lyntwyn] 11/4/2006 07:56

Sage sees H1 sales, opg, pretax in line with market forecasts

LONDON (AFX) - Sage Group PLC, the accountancy software specialist, said its
revenues, operating profit and pretax profits for the first half to end-March
were all in line with market expectations.

The current market consensus is for Sage to report half-year revenues of 444
mln stg, operating profit of 115 mln and pretax profit of 111 mln.

The group, which last month announced the 334 mln stg acquisition of
Norway's Visma ASA, will announce its interim results on May 9.
[e-mail]

[lyntwyn] 06/4/2006 11:51

H1 Results due : 09/05/2006

[rosarito] 31/3/2006 21:14

Best picks info here

[maddox] 31/3/2006 21:13

JohnSB,

I haven't checked but I doubt the Sainsbury thread is buzzing?

There is a clear preference for the hairum scarum style, 'it'll treble by Xmas', equity amongst the BB fraternity.

Regards, Maddox

[maddox] 31/3/2006 18:42

johnsb,

I have the same issue on some other threads - more personal blogg than BB. However, there are plenty lurkers who make themselves known from time to time and express thanks for comments and insights shared - particularly of course following a good tick-up in the sp!

I think one point that discourages many BBers is that Sage never looks that cheap and many are looking for a quick buck. The fact is you can't get quality like SGE on the cheap. Some other posters that used to be on this board appeared to be trading the peaks and troughs. The recent re-rating has probably left them on the sidelines. So I think its just us long-term fans left.

Regards, Maddox

[lyntwyn] 31/3/2006 15:29

jsb, you say it all - nothing to add :)

SGE is one stock I don't worry about so not watching it all the time! Hope it will get thru' 280 again soon..looking good.

[johnsmithbillion] 31/3/2006 15:23

Look at her go!!! Almost back up through 280!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnsmithbillion] 31/3/2006 15:09

Why am I always talking to myself? I am really baffled why so few people on this BB follow SGE. The stock is going up!!! Even as the FTSE goes down!!!

[johnsmithbillion] 31/3/2006 12:16

Wouldnt it be funny if IBM bid for SAP ;)

[johnsmithbillion] 31/3/2006 09:13

Looking very nice this morning, clearly lots of keen demand out there for the shares :)