Stanley Gibbons Share Discussion Threads

[bookbroker] 05/2/2010 12:26

Well you had better buy them back now if you have such faith in this cos. board.

[bookbroker] 05/2/2010 08:42

If they are working on a lower margin, as stated in recent statement, they will have to work harder to maintain SGI's growth profile, broaden the status of Stanley Gibbons as a brand name rather than just selling albums.

[bookbroker] 05/2/2010 08:38

It works as long as there is demand, and demand depends on the store of value within the item where collectables are concerned, difficult things to value when there is less disposable income. We'll see if they get this rare stamp investment fund away, that will determine the acceptance of stamps as as alternative asset class.

[2020hindsight] 05/2/2010 08:32

Does anyone have any idea of the impact the Active Management Portfolios are having ?

I don't hold shares in SG, but I am an active investor of the AMPs gaining a minimum 5-6% each quarter from my investments.

Presumably the main benefit to SG is that they have less cash tied up in stock, having probably bought an item at around 75% of list value, selling it to me at 90% of its list value, and then taking 50% of the profits when sold at list or above.

So instead of investing (say) £750 in a stamp valued at £1,000 and getting £1,000 back at some point in the future - a 33% profit, they invest £750, sell it to me for £900 freeing up cash, sell it again at £1,000 taking 50% of the profits and make a total gain of 20%. Still not a bad return, with far less money tied up in stock.

[bookbroker] 04/2/2010 21:11

I appreciate all the above comments, however the fact of the matter is that SGI is a plc with obligations to shareholders, irrespective of it being a co. with a brand name that is recognised as a guage for the recognition of value in stamps, shareholders still demand a return for investing in any co. Maybe with the demands that are expected from public cos. this particular one would be better in private hands, nonetheless for now it remains as a plc, and therein lies the duty of the directors to try and maximise value for their investors. Any small co. is particularly vulnerable as to how news is interpreted by the investment community, any maybe in this case it is a fault in the guidance between the co. and its NOMAD that the latest statement has disappointed the market, a repeat of the previous end of year update almost to a word. I do think that some statements as for instance issued last August about the size of their market will be seized upon should disappointments occur. I know that SGI is a world-renowned name, and in a market such as collectables a standard has to be set to maintain reputation and integrity particularly with counterfeit techniques avaliable, nonetheless never forget that the stock market is akin to a jungle and every step is monitored, any shareholder in any co. will expect a positive return for their investment just like buying a valuable stamp. SGI should not be seen as a trophy asset unless it is the property of one individual. I hope the co. can thrive and also be able to maximise its strength of brand.

[madmick] 04/2/2010 00:12

Well Said that man!

[abergele] 03/2/2010 22:44

Bookbroker,
It seems to me that you are not a stamp collector...just an investor in SGI

can you confer this,?

because the essense of all the substance of Stanley Gibbons is stamp collectors needs, and not the artificial con.

rare stamps have their place in the world as does diamonds ,gold and rare oil paintings...
They ,(SGI) are unique.so if all is genuine,,they are not a con company
that needs to con the worlds markets with artificial hype over hot air.

only a well run company with years of experience ,over 100 years,can move along this road.

as a stamp collector for over 20 years ,I don't want the fraud,that was bandied about from that Spanish fiasco a couple of years back..

All that is white ,has to appear white..to a collector,
and we look to Gibbons to confer this..

The markets are markets, and manipulated by greed ,not by honesty.

If you don't like Gibbons ,move on

[chairman2] 03/2/2010 22:02

At least it shows someone or some broker is trying to shake
the tree to get loose holders to sell. Must want SG stock
real bad.

[chairman2] 03/2/2010 22:01

How tedious

a blatant de-ramper

[bookbroker] 03/2/2010 13:12

A one-diamensional co., persistent falls in share price beginning to rattle investors, it's time the management started to exploit this brand properly and stopped this pretence, they have plenty of time to get things done when there are so many of them giving instructions, they need to prove that stamps have a role to play as alternative asset class. I am a holder but am becoming increasingly frustrated by the inconsistency of statements as against the prospects that directors keep exuding about.

[bookbroker] 25/1/2010 21:47

The worzels running this co. need to get their act together, there are too many at the top performing the same role.

[jeanesy] 25/1/2010 20:20

So much for the positive article in shares magazine. Without positive news this will drift downwards in the short term.

[bookbroker] 25/1/2010 11:33

And to stop spouting about their exceptional prospects, trading speaks for a cos. performance, stop spouting about how good the prospects are for this co., let's see it in the figures first, a dose of realism is in order.

[bookbroker] 25/1/2010 11:30

These directors now need to put their money where their mouths are and purchase some shares, never much gone for clubs within boards, we might be in a close period, but its time they ironed out the erratic nature of this cos. statements that they seem to be responsible for.

[jeanesy] 23/1/2010 10:30

Shares tipped in shares magazine. Time to top up?

[bookbroker] 16/1/2010 11:35

I disagree with the above statement, look at the facts, although you are probably right about the 'I'm a simple soul......', the reasons for the failure, and I say failure with a pinch of salt, were outlined clearly. It was a badly handled statement, the fact that although profits were ahead of the previous year they would not match the £5m forecast by the house broker, due to not receiving an est. £1m commission from the potential transaction in 2008 that did not materialise. Everything was explained in the statement, and I am not making excuses for the management, they should have been clear immediately it became apparent that the transaction was met, but that would have probably exaggerated the negative response from the market even more so. Under the circumstances it was disappointing, but at least the management understand the reasons behind the shortfall, and the house broker should probably be more informed and show more realistic expectations, always better to be more conservative, and surprise on the upside rather than vice versa.
I have rather changed tack from my earlier comments, as it is more evident that in the current environment and more thoughtful analysis the results will prove quite creditable.

[sir brainy] 13/1/2010 20:34

SGI got my stamp of approval lol

Geddit?

[jeanesy] 13/1/2010 20:34

Does anyone think that SGI could become a bid target? The brand is there but the management have not done too well recently at meeting the projected figures imo.

[bookbroker] 13/1/2010 20:11

I think that one should not be overly worried about these guarantees, sure in terms of SGI being a plc they are not in the best interests of shareholders, whatever the price they have earned commission on these sales in terms of vendors premium or the markup they have placed on the product, they still have to try and make a profit, however it is all about improving their profile and marketing the product to enhance the interest in stamps as a tangible and collectable asset. It is after all they who determine the value, they are the experts to whom potential investors look to.

[chairman2] 13/1/2010 19:42

the guarantees were always one year max - if any still in balance sheet
will soon trade out

what cant be in the balance sheet is the implicit promise that if SGI have sold it, and it carries a catalogue price, SGI will buy it back at that
price - clearly its not a legal contract but it is a critical part
of the dealership.