The Artisanal Spirits Share Discussion Threads

[mistertibbs] 27/2/2006 21:49

Shawzie, I couldn't agree more but I'm a new shareholder and a mere novice so what do I know

[shawzie] 27/2/2006 15:51

Many of the 13,000 shareholders have fairly small holdings and a dividend of
say 5% is hardly worth banking. I would rather see profits retained in the business and nav increase by about 15% per annum.

[canford cliffs] 27/2/2006 12:51

SLL...........the only way ART shareholders will get TRUE value is if the sector sees it as a takeover candidate because of its poor prformance when compared to its peers. Just look at the Persimmon results today and you will get a clue to what a well managed company does to retain profitability in a difficult market - clearly such acions are beyond the wit of present management. Hopefully the "profits warning" recently given will entice the more energetic companies within the sector to take a second look!

[sll] 27/2/2006 12:26

May I suggest that we split those who want to keep looking back (pre Stevens) from those who prefer to look forward. I started this particular thread with an 'undervalued' tag because that was how I saw it then, on 16/7/4. Arguably, today, ART is even "more undervalued" than it was then, as most subsequent achievements (e.g. trading profits) and clarifications (e.g. positive outcomes on major legal cases) have not yet, in my view, been sufficiently price-reflected. The discount to TNAV is still above the sector norm. One day, the market will be forced to re-rate this stock. A re-introduced dividend (however modest) would clearly help that process along, and could indeed prove the catalyst. For now, unduly negative and backward looking commentary (to the pre Stevens era) is only helping to dissuade new investors and demoralise those already present on the register. Is that the objective?

[shawzie] 26/2/2006 19:04

Just noticed the new Artisan internet site. Certainly brighter and hope it is a good omen of brighter Year-end results.

[canford cliffs] 24/2/2006 17:16

Hi guys............well its 2 for the molasc and 2 against - as a chartered accountant myself I would be expecting my p45 if I had ably assisted in running a company into the ground the way the molasc assisted deano - I certainly wouldn't expect a promotion - but it seems thats what happens these days, just ask petra Mandy, lol

ps, did you see the cartoon on Mandy in the sun today..........."new shoes renaldo"

[wakeland] 24/2/2006 16:33

Canford....I agree with you, Musselle has had ample opportunity, what is the point in continuing to pay this guy?
Was suprised this held up today so cleared out those shares I had that were close to break even because this can only go one way now, maybe I'll average when it returns to the 1.5 to 2p range.

[addas99] 24/2/2006 16:16

Bylow..spot on with your comments

Canford Cliffs..take a break and a fresh look, constant derision will get you nowhere and serve no useful purpose

[bylow] 24/2/2006 15:52

canford..............I understand and feel as aggrieved as you but are you sure that it is good idea to continue to look back and irritate sore wounds?
The former FD in my view has done a competent job in pulling Artisan back from the brink( with a bit of help from Stevens who, you will remember, purchased a shed load of shares in order to prop up the balance sheet after he was installed and realised the mess that Dean had left behind) The only realistic and profitable way forward is to engage the directors in their future strategy for organic growth and better investor relations. A symbolic return to the dividend list would help.

[gizzimodo] 24/2/2006 13:03

Who and why is the molasc ?

[canford cliffs] 24/2/2006 09:46

I've been telling you all for months that the molasc is the wrong man.............we need an egm to remove him!

[norniron] 24/2/2006 09:34

The statement does inspire confidence. Looks like year end results are going to be bad and the board are trying to make their excuses beforehand.
Tried to sell online with Barclays and was told i was unable to do so with this share.

[canford cliffs] 24/2/2006 09:26

the sooner these tosspots are thrown out the better...............we'll be lucky to keep share price at current levels;



Artisan (UK) PLC
24 February 2006



Artisan (UK) plc

Trading Statement

Artisan (UK) plc, the residential house builder and commercial business park
developer, issues this trading statement in advance of its 31 March 2006 year
end.

During the year the housing market proved more volatile than normal, although
January has started very positively with significantly increased reservations
compared to 2005. After the strong August and September that concluded our first
six months the quarter leading up to 31 December proved disappointing with
relatively low visitor numbers and reservations.

Commercial business park activity remains positive in a generally steady trading
environment. We are in the midst of negotiations for sales of buildings with the
objective of contracting these prior to the year end. If current negotiations
remain on target, the division should exceed our expectations for the year.

The success we have in bringing the sales currently being agreed in both
residential and commercial to exchanges prior to the year end will influence the
year end results. Whilst we expect the full year results to show that
residential volumes will be slightly below those achieved in 2005, margins have
remained robust. Together with the strong performance in our commercial
business, the Board is confident of a reasonable outcome for the year, although
the outcome will remain dependant upon sales in progress completing prior to the
year end.

In order to capitalise on the success achieved in the commercial business and
reasonably buoyant local market conditions, the Board has decided to commit
further investment to expanding its trading activities. The business continues
to progress its land acquisition programme to replace and expand the number of
sites.

Additionally the Board considers that Rippon Homes has also suffered from
insufficient land stocks and believes further substantial investment is needed
to improve the landbank required to facilitate our growth plans. This will
require further acquisitions and investment in improving the prospects for some
of our current sites.

The present landbank of Rippon Homes includes a site of 42 acres near
Chesterfield. A professional report has been commissioned to provide an initial
assessment of its development potential. The East Midlands Regional Assembly has
recently commenced consultation as part of the review of the East Midlands
Regional plan. The review is due to be completed by late 2007/early 2008. The
main issues will include the housing requirements across the region as a whole
to 2026, and the housing distribution between districts. Further work will be
needed to demonstrate that the land or part of it may be suitable for future
development through the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The potential outcome
is uncertain and will require speculative investment and professional advice but
the possibility exists that part of the land may become available for
development and this would significantly improve the value of our holding.

In order for the Group to fulfil its growth objectives, the Board is taking
steps to make additional finance available. Discussions with our bankers have
proved encouraging with the prospect of considerably increasing the debt funding
available beyond the existing £20 million facility. The Board believe that the
company should operate at a gearing ratio significantly above the current low
level of around 55%.
Your Board is very pleased with the manner in which the restructured management
team is operating under the new Chief Executive and strongly believes that this
additional finance will stimulate further progress in trading in future years

The recent difficult market conditions have demonstrated that, for both Artisan
(UK) Developments and Rippon Homes, the inherent quality of the product offered
has secured sales against competitors' products.

Enquiries to:
Artisan (UK) plc: Chief Executive 01480 436666
Chris Musselle
[e-mail]
Seymour Pierce Nominated advisers 020 7107 8000
Sarah Wharry
Bankside Consultants Financial PR advisers 020 7367 8888
Simon Rothschild 07703 167065

Company website:
www.artisan-plc.co.uk

[steeleye] 24/2/2006 09:21

clear as mud?

[mistertibbs] 20/2/2006 17:16

Digital look is saying that all these small trades are unknown, yet on a different analysis, they say they are all sales and one end of day purchase taking some of them, well 100000 anyway.That's half of the sales.

[blueblood] 17/2/2006 15:53

I agree there's no way you could shift 650k shares in this @ 3.4p unless its a very big buy order o.s interesting.

[bsg] 17/2/2006 15:30

I think these 3.4p trades are buys ?

[blueblood] 17/2/2006 13:33

Somethin might be brewing looking at the trades over the past week. Volume starting to increase and mm's paying near to middle of spread.

[mistertibbs] 16/2/2006 12:34

Ah, the big fella loves a trier lol

[canford cliffs] 16/2/2006 12:01

a housebuilder is trying to buy my other dog from dotcom days, BLLM...........I'll try and get them interested ART, whilst they have cheque book out, lol

[mistertibbs] 15/2/2006 16:33

You could be right to have a snooze in between the odd 0.12p moves. Then again, eyelids best kept open....you never can tell.Just noticed my spelling gets worse. I'm sure acquisitions always had a q, just like the post office

[alf godson] 15/2/2006 11:28

Morning Q .

[bsg] 09/2/2006 11:41

Still someone soaking up the sells. ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[gizzimodo] 09/2/2006 11:34

Could it be no more than a tax reason - better to have the capital later than the dividend now !!