| Date | Subject |
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12/10/2020
10:36 | varies: hazl
I would not want you to feel lonely here and so add my plaudits to yours.
Having done very well indeed out of Aptitude Software which I still hold (formerly Microgen)I have a high opinion of Mr Martyn Radcliffe and am confident that he will do well for us shareholders here.
He sold some shares recently to provide some liquidity in the market but retains, I believe, about 25% of the capital.
I was a shareholder in Frontier and am very glad that I sold those shares and bought SAG shares instead and have gradually increased to my holding since.
"A good solid company" seems an apt description.
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30/9/2020
08:18 | hazl: A reminder.
'During the past few months, most of the Group's business operations have been able to continue to operate. Only around 5% of staff were placed under the UK furlough scheme and, as of 1 September 2020, no staff remain on furlough. In the Group's main sites, a model of around 60/40 office/home working arrangements is continuing in order to facilitate social distancing and this is being reviewed regularly.
While the future economic environment remains unpredictable and the more recent currency volatility is being closely monitored, Science Group is well positioned with a strong balance sheet including gross cash (excluding client held funds) at 31 August 2020 of GBP22.0 million and net funds of GBP4.9 million.
In light of the resilient performance, benefitting from the rapid actions taken at the start of the pandemic outbreak, the Board anticipates adjusted operating profit for 2020 to be in line or possibly slightly ahead of the Group's original expectations for the year. T he Board has therefore now undertaken the deferred Group salary review and has also initiated a number of deferred investment programmes.
In line with the dividend policy update announced on 11 May 2020, to consider payment of an interim dividend later in the financial year, t he Board has also concluded that it is now appropriate to authorise an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share which will be payable on 23 October 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 September 2020.'
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23/9/2020
13:28 | hazl: Come on SAG join the party!
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14/9/2020
14:47 | life of crime: I was a Frontier shareholder and have now invested in SAG. Given the half-year results and the update last week, I am pleased I did.
That they have turned around Frontier in less than a year shows what good management of a solid business can do, unlike the shower that was running Frontier before.
I think SAG has a lot of promise and I believe they saw Frontier's great potential, which is why they pursued it so aggressively. Sales of digital radios will take off in countries like France, Italy and Switzerland as they transition to digital.
France and Italy have stated all new radios there will have DAB and FM as standard over time, and Switzerland will switch off their analogue signal in the next 2 or 3 years. That will really add to SAG's profits.
This is definitely one to watch in the future and I may add to my investment if they keep on delivering.
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11/9/2020
11:39 | hazl: That dividend has made a difference I feel,shows resilience.
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10/9/2020
12:07 | edmate: Solid update, dividend, moves the price zero pence. This share is baffling....
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10/9/2020
11:48 | hazl: 'In light of the resilient performance, benefitting from the rapid actions taken at the start of the pandemic outbreak, the Board anticipates adjusted operating profit for 2020 to be in line or possibly slightly ahead of the Group's original expectations for the year. T he Board has therefore now undertaken the deferred Group salary review and has also initiated a number of deferred investment programmes.
In line with the dividend policy update announced on 11 May 2020, to consider payment of an interim dividend later in the financial year, t he Board has also concluded that it is now appropriate to authorise an interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share which will be payable on 23 October 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 25 September 2020. '
Great stuff!
Dividend reinstated.
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16/6/2020
10:31 | varies: The news about Frontier is comforting. Like many others here I am a former FST shareholder and I had doubts as to whether the DAB business could be made profitable.
I find SAG a hard company to value but, having done very well out of Microgen (name now changed to Aptitude)I have a high regard for Mr Radcliffe and expect him to do well for us here.
I hope for this year at least SAG will concentrate om the businesses it has rather than take on others.
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11/6/2020
13:56 | life of crime: I have been keeping an eye on this one, having been invested in FST. I feel SAG will do very well out of the DAB market, but a lot more slowly than I had expected because of the hit to the world economy. Digital radios are not a priority for people on the dole or on furlough.
I do not feel the need to buy yet, as I can the share price remaining flat given the forces beyond their control. If anything it may drop if the recession turns into a depression.
I am sure I will make an investment in what looks like a well run business (unlike FST!) and they have executed the integration of FST very well and swiftly. I will continue to monitor the shares and buy on any significant dip (i.e. 10%).
P.S. I agree with the comments that the ventilator investment may end up losing them money, as CPAP seems to be both a cheaper and more effective way of treating the virus. However, that is always easier to say in hindsight and was a justifiable decision by management at the time. I like the look of the BoD and Warren Buffett always said the first he looked at before making an investment was the management. I only wish I had done that with FST because it had so much potential but was run by greedy muppets!
I can see SAG making a success of FST as DAB becomes standard for all new radios in places like France and Italy, which they have pledged to do, and Switzerland is phasing out the analogue signal over the next few years. A great opportunity for FST/SAG but it may take a year or so longer than expected because of this unprecedented situation.
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09/6/2020
09:03 | varies: I don't think that the participation in the NHS's programme for Ventilators is of much significance. Was it not announced that the NHS would not award SAG a contract but would compensate SAG for the expenses incurred ?
Of more interest to me would be news of progress with the former DAB business acquired with Frontier Smart Technologies last July.
We are reminded today that Ruffer funds hold 12% of this company and this I find encouraging.
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PLUS1
