Signature Aviation Share Discussion Threads

[m.t.glass] 10/1/2008 12:50

RNS Number:4852L
Signet Group PLC
10 January 2008


Signet Group plc (LSE: SIG and NYSE: SIG) Embargoed until 12.30 p.m. (GMT)

10 January 2008

CHRISTMAS TRADING STATEMENT

Like for like sales 8 weeks to 29 December 2007

Group down 6.8%
US down 8.1%
UK down 3.1%


Like for like sales 47 weeks to 29 December 2007

Group down 0.2%
US down 1.0%
UK up 1.8%


Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive, commented: "In a very challenging consumer environment on both sides of the Atlantic, Group like for like sales were down 6.8% over the eight week period. Profit before tax for 2007/08 is currently
expected to be between $330 million and $340 million. Against the background of
more difficult economic conditions, the Group's strong balance sheet, superior
operating metrics and sector leading execution are vital medium and long term
competitive advantages."

"In the US, the like for like sales performance over the Holiday season was
clearly disappointing. We remain focused on implementing our proven strategy and
on gaining profitable market share."

"In the UK, while like for like sales declined in the Christmas period they are
ahead for the year to date reflecting improved execution in a difficult market.
Further enhancements to the basic retail disciplines are planned for 2008,
including the initial roll out of the new Ernest Jones store design."

"The consistent growth in the holding of US beneficial shareholders has
meaningfully accelerated in recent weeks and as a result Signet may soon become a domestic issuer for SEC purposes. The Signet Board has kept under close review the most appropriate domicile and stock market listing for its shareholders as a whole. In light of the recent changes in the shareholder base of the Company,
the Board will further consider these matters, including seeking the views of
its shareholders. There is no certainty as to the outcome of this assessment,
even in the event of Signet becoming a domestic issuer."


Enquiries: Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive [phone]
Walker Boyd, Group Finance Director [phone]


Tom Buchanan, Brunswick [phone]
Wendel Verbeek, Brunswick [phone]

[chrisc168] 10/1/2008 12:33

Forget this. I am selling out and getting in VIY.

[m.t.glass] 10/1/2008 10:42

Last year's January 11 Trading Statement came out at 12:30pm. Today the same time?

[m.t.glass] 09/1/2008 14:42

OUTLOOK Signet seen as Christmas loser




LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Signet Group PLC, the Anglo-American jewellery
retailer, is expected to join a growing list of Christmas losers when it updates
on trading on Thursday.
The group, which makes three quarters of its annual sales in the US, issued
a pre-Christmas profit warning on Nov 27, blaming a sharp deterioration in
fourth-quarter trading. This significantly reduced expectations for the
important festive period.
The alert flagged that Signet's US sales had weakened sharply since the end
of its third quarter on Nov 3, with November's like-for-like sales running down
around 7 pct. In the UK, the retailer flagged a "weakening" as the month
progressed but did not provide figures.
During the third quarter, US like-for-like sales grew 2.5 pct, while UK
like-for-likes were up 4.8 pct.
Signet warned it would not meet analysts' profit expectations for the year
to end-Jan 2008. Analysts promptly slashed pretax profit forecasts by about 20
pct to a consensus of 353 mln usd, down from the 401 mln achieved in the
previous year.
Signet also warned its competitive position in the US is likely to
deteriorate in the year to end-Jan 2009 as it plans to "realign" prices after
Valentine's Day to claw back substantial increases in diamond, gold and platinum
costs over several years.
Analysts at UBS expect US like-for-likes to be down 7 pct over the Christmas
period, with the UK flat.
For the entire fourth quarter, analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort are
forecasting US like-for-like sales to fall 6 pct, with the UK up 1 pct. They
reckon group gross margin will be down 50 basis points.
"While Signet is a high quality operator with a best in class model and
management, jewellery sales are macro sensitive and the consumer outlook plus
painful commodity cost pressure mean there is still estimate risk for 2008/9,"
they told clients.
Analysts at Credit Suisse anticipate fourth-quarter like-for-like sales in
the US to be down 5-7 pct, with the UK flat. They expect profit forecasts both
for the current year and next year to fall again following the update.
[e-mail]
jdd/slj

[wyorke] 04/1/2008 10:23

SIG is OK, maybe not bad at X'mas shop.

[pugugly] 04/1/2008 08:58

Headling needs changing or new thread


TIME TO GET OUT OF SIGNET - NOT TOO LATE TO CUT LOSSES.

[kasman] 08/12/2007 10:24

BBJL - you around?

[aos] 29/11/2007 08:27

I see that Declan Currie (BBC1 Breakfast) today was interviewing Gerald Ratner. They were discussing the possibility of him returning to the High Street. The main topic of conversation seemed to be that of Signet. He would not be drawn on whether he was going to make a bid. Looks like this could be the space to watch?

[enami] 27/11/2007 20:04

So is this the point where Gerrald Ratner turns up with some opportunist financier.

[sikhthetech] 27/11/2007 18:23

wyorke...agree...should get support 50-60p....
Retailers always have a weak run-up to Christmas then after Xmas they say 'trading improved'....
imo, dyor

Good Luck

[bigbobjoylove] 27/11/2007 15:32

it'll break that no problem, the shares are expensive over 40p. Check out the forecasts.

[wyorke] 27/11/2007 15:07

50-60p is support line at 10 year.

[bigbobjoylove] 27/11/2007 14:50

You've got off lightly so far, look at PDG which has also warned today, a far cheaper share and it's down 30%.

[bigbobjoylove] 27/11/2007 14:03

that's a grim statement, worth shorting, any remote warning and stocks are falling 40% over the next few days after the statement. Weak dollar as well, as grim as you can get,

yikes! Net Debt 541.50 m , that will eat into alot of the profits, can see 35% downside next few days to about 50p.

[eastbourne1982] 27/11/2007 13:11

can see if dropping around 18% today and the results basically included a profit warning,

to a certain extent this seemed to be priced into the share price

[eastbourne1982] 27/11/2007 12:49

closed short at 69p,

no position now, will watch with interest

[eastbourne1982] 27/11/2007 12:42

what a turnaround, closed long at 74.75p and decided to go short at that price, results not too good

[eastbourne1982] 22/11/2007 10:16

just gone long at 75p

[topdoc] 10/11/2007 18:37

Lowest its been for 5 years

[rallyman2] 10/11/2007 12:53

its figures are above last year and in line ,its just retailers arwe out of favour ,hold for next update after xmas and we should see at least 96p min which is 20% from 80p ...plus a div ... i like this one (and theres also the mereger talk with the yanks which would see 130p-180p

[waynz] 09/11/2007 11:41

Out of favour stock thats all I can think of

[topdoc] 09/11/2007 11:23

Any ideas why this stock has fallen so much?