Science Share Discussion Threads

[nchanning] 11/11/2024 07:48

Looks like they are lining up a big acquisition , little impact from employers NI

[life of crime] 02/11/2024 11:33

Very encouraging news below for DAB+ in the EU's largest market, therefore very good news for Science Group/Frontier (click on the English translation option in the top right hand corner of the page):



I particularly liked this part:

"Digital radio on the growth path

The special analysis of ma 2024 Audio II shows that 75 percent of radio listeners in Germany now use digital services. Digital radio, whether via DAB+ or the Internet, has become an integral part of the everyday lives of 49 million people. That corresponds to three quarters of all listeners. Web radio and - by far the most popular - DAB+ are very popular. While DAB+ is used heavily by middle-aged groups in particular, web radio reaches listeners in roughly equal numbers across all age groups."

PS. Happy All Souls Day.

[truffle] 28/8/2024 09:42

Just a thought

Yesterday’s leading front page article in the FT was about the benefits that will accrue to companies that operate in the Aerospace and Defence industries because governments are spending much more on defence due to the increasing volatility in the world.

In a small but nonetheless significant way it is presumably possible that the Group’s CMS2 division is benefiting from this. The division’s performance was certainly very well written up in the recent interim report.

But, as I say, just a thought and DYOR

[truffle] 20/8/2024 08:30

I can only reiterate what I said some weeks ago and since then we have had more share buybacks and now the Chairman buying shares.

All seems very positive and the share price does not seem to reflect the underlying value. Remains a long term hold for me.

But DYOR

[nchanning] 19/8/2024 13:02

Radcliffe owns ~20 milly of Science stock , he didn't buy 45k worth of shares to make money . You'd hope he's just giving a little wink to shareholders to say this is a good time to buy the stock.

[truffle] 31/7/2024 06:56

A week ago, the company announced it was allocating £5 million for share buybacks.
One week later it has already purchased shares worth roughly 20% of that figure at prices up to 435p/share.

Difficult not to see that as a positive sign which suggests that the current share price levels are very attractive and probably don't reflect the real underlying value.

But all IMHO and DYOR

[truffle] 23/7/2024 14:32

I was actually looking at the increase in net funds so maybe I have got the interpretation wrong as against the cash position?

[redwing1] 23/7/2024 14:02

Net cash 33% up by my calculation but solid results, as you say.

[truffle] 23/7/2024 10:32

Pretty solid results all round.

A promising outlook for the full year, an approx. 60% increase in the net cash position and a substantially increased £5 million allocated for further share buybacks.

Seems the company remains below the radar on many fronts but happy to remain a long term holder.

All IMHO and DYOR

[truffle] 03/5/2024 14:10

Some upward movement in the shares at long last and rather long overdue I suspect.

The company has recently been repurchasing shares at up to 418 so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised

[lateralthinker] 03/4/2024 10:52

...comment could mean that a take private is on the cards...

[nchanning] 28/3/2024 09:46

Broker note MIA

[nchanning] 27/3/2024 13:55

The whole company doesn't make a natural acquisition for anyone as it's a bit of a random hodge podge of businesses . They'd have to sell parts of it like a revitalised TPG maritime business to unlock value

[truffle] 25/3/2024 15:59

Two 50,000 buys have gone through to-day which presumably is either the company repurchasing more shares or a PI.

Whichever it turns out to be, it is good news

[truffle] 25/3/2024 15:59

Two 50,000 buys have gone through to-day which presumably is either the company repurchasing more shares or a PI.

Whichever it turns out to be, it is good news

[nchanning] 22/3/2024 13:02

The guy won't even talk to his house broker to update forecasts :) . Quite handy that he's a bully though when we're engineering cut price takeovers of struggling companies

[truffle] 21/3/2024 14:42

Not sure I agree with all of those comments.
Ratcliffe has run the company pretty well and its good to have a big hike in the dividend.

I do however agree that the company should have, and deserves to have, a higher market/public profile which would help it enormously.
Let's hope that happens sooner rather than later

I remain a long term holder.
All IMHO and DYOR

[eigthwonder] 21/3/2024 08:42

Ratcliffe has a nose for cheap companies but has a very high opinion of himself and a very low opinion of everyone else. Don’t feel too hard done by as PIs, he doesn’t care much for institutional investors either. I think the quote is as much about his ego rather than sharing the journey with others.

[nchanning] 21/3/2024 08:25

Could easily see Frontier return to making a few million operating profit a year which would really make the shares look stupidly cheap. Don't think management should moan about the low valuation until they make an effort to engage with private shareholders. Really not too much to ask to do an investor meet company presentation every six months . 2024 Forecasts look very beatable , perhaps upgrades to follow in broker note shortly .

[life of crime] 31/1/2024 16:58

The share buybacks last year shows long term confidence by the management. Their strong cash position leaves them well placed to make further acquisitions, which has worked well with TPG and Frontier.

If the stock market underperforms this year because of geopolitical tensions, then there may be other tempting targets, with good businesses seeing their share price drop solely down to market conditions, or a good company being let down by poor management, or a combination of both. SAG have proven they have a good nose for companies with untapped potential and their model of buying large stakes at distressed prices, before an eventual buyout, has proven very successful with TPG and Frontier.

Their main strength is the management. They know how to turnaround businesses and add value. Warren Buffett always says the first thing he looks at when making a purchase is the management. I have learned the hard way that you can have an excellent business but if you have a lot of clueless clowns in charge, it will still be driven into the ground (i.e. Frontier}. That is when well run firms like SAG step in.

This is still a long-term hold for me and I believe at some point a bigger player will see the strengths of this firm, and they will be a takeover target themselves (and at a hefty premium to today's price, IMHO).

PS. Happy Brexit Day!

[johndoe23] 09/11/2023 17:10

Positive also truffle but what will be the catalyst to push this higher?Clearly an ahead of update, I've long thought one day I will awake to a recommended offer...