Touchstar Share Discussion Threads

[cocker] 26/6/2024 20:31

ATF of the channel islands has upgraded their system with next generation, Inc Zebra.

[arthur_lame_stocks] 20/6/2024 23:07

I haven't paid these much attention for a while, but all credit to the current team. I was convinced these were going broke and didn't think IM and the gang could turn it around but they certainly appear to have done it. And they are generating real cashflow and paying a dividend.

I'm not sure I think the shares are particularly cheap at the current price but I guess it's nice to be proved wrong.

[cockerhoop] 05/6/2024 14:25

Orderbook at 31/12/22 £1.7m

Orderbook at 30/06/23 £1.313m

Hence order intake £287k below revenue in H123 at £3.439m

So if order intake 15% higher in H124 we get an order intake of £3,955k.

[rivaldo] 05/6/2024 12:35

Hi Adam,

Glad you agree the tone of the update was positive, cheers. I disagree however as regards the specifics - AGM statements are generally in my experience pretty brief updates noting that trading is in line or not and discussing general trends, without much in the way of detail which usually comes via specific H1 or year end or unscheduled trading updates.

I suspect TST actually gave more info than many do in AGM statements, as outlined previously:

- trading (i.e profitability) is ahead of budget, partly because....
- margins are good, and....
- orders are up 15%
- H2 weighting as TST can see when the deliveries of those increased orders will occur
- TST are happy to note at this stage that they're "comfortable" with market expectations, and if trading continues as it is then it looks like there will be upgrades

[cocker] 04/6/2024 16:38

Whether many missed the TU wrapped up in the agm result is anyone's guess, but it obviously isn't enough to entice those who have seen it, nor are we seeing buybacks of note. Strange but true!

[adamb1978] 04/6/2024 07:16

Hi Rivaldo

Agree with your post 2325 above in that the tone of the announcement was positive, however as per my posts before that, the specifics of it and details were unnecessarily vague. The fact that we're discussing this at length, and with most of us being experienced investors, tells a story...

Adam

[cocker] 04/6/2024 06:56

I agree with you on the principle of being maybe a long term investment. However, with the share buy backs that just aren't happening as far as we know and the illquidty that will come with it will create even more of a problem for pi's to trade it. As far as their PR goes, it leaves an awful lot to be desired.

[rivaldo] 04/6/2024 06:45

TST are great value already imo given the info in my post 2325 above, with WH Ireland forecasting 10.0p EPS this year and with at least 37p per share of cash in hand.

I doubt WHI will upgrade yet as it's too early in the year and there aren't specific trading figures to go on - if they do, then it's more likely imo after the H1 results in September.

[cocker] 03/6/2024 22:05

Well, Rivaldo is of an opinion that the hidden T/U is excellent, I'm more a case of better than anticipated. However, only one of us is easily pleased and tis not I.

[rivaldo] 03/6/2024 21:58

It seems clear imo:

- trading (i.e profitability) is ahead of budget, partly because....
- margins are good, and....
- orders are up 15%
- H2 weighting as TST can see when the deliveries of those increased orders will occur
- TST are happy to note at this stage that they're "comfortable" with market expectations, and if trading continues as it is then it looks like there will be upgrades

Usual - and best - practice is always to issue the trading update first thing at 7.00 am and then the bland "Result of AGM" RNS later. There's no excuse for almost hiding it away like this.

WH Ireland have always been poor imo, and as advisers I blame them for this more than TST as they should have been clear as to what TST should be doing to keep the market informed.

Anyway....with:

- at least a £3m+ cash pile against an £8m m/cap
- forecast 10p EPS this year rising to 11.5p EPS next year
- plus a 2.75p dividend

TST looks extremely good value following today's statement.

[adamb1978] 03/6/2024 21:11

One of the most ambiguous trading statements you could see:

- margins 'healthy'
- references to 'budget'

Shareholder communications should be clear!

[adamb1978] 03/6/2024 19:02

Ridiculous way to put out a trading update. Completely missed it

[cocker] 03/6/2024 16:09

Agreed. 15 % higher would indicate just over 4 mill for H1 & if we are H2 weighed like we normally are (apart from last year), then should smash numbers. So yes, some what confusing, but I'm sure WH Ireland will crunch the numbers tonight and update investors tomorrow.

[texas_caddy] 03/6/2024 15:43

Is it just me or is that trading update confusing?

1) Trading YTD ahead of budget - but results 2nd half weighted
2) Order intake YTD 15% ahead of last year (5 months in) but 2nd half weighted. Stockopedia has revenue going from £7.22m last year to £8m this year - an increase of c10.9%
3) Board comfortable with market expectations

1 and 2 together indicate a beat...so what do they mean by "comfortable"? That they are accurate and going to meet them / or that they are going to beat them?

I hold here.

[cocker] 03/6/2024 14:55

Well better then I anticipated for sure. However, why on God's earth did they not release the agm TU @ 7am this morning rather then later today, perhaps its the arrogance I mentioned in an earlier post towards pi's that grinds my gears. Unless you actually opened the for gone conclusion AGM result, you wouldn't even know there was a TU within it.

[rivaldo] 03/6/2024 14:41

Oh yes there is (though not obvious from the headline....) - and it's excellent!



"In conjunction with today's Annual General Meeting of shareholders, Touchstar announces an update on trading for the five-month period ended 31st May 2024 (YTD).

· Trading remained buoyant with YTD trading ahead of budget.

· Order Intake YTD is running 15% above the prior year.

· Margins remain healthy.

· As previously indicated the Company expects financial results for the full year 2024 to be second half weighted.

· Board remains comfortable with market expectations for the 12 months ending 31st December 2024"

[davidosh] 03/6/2024 14:36

No Agm statement so far today.

[cocker] 03/6/2024 06:24

Ian Martin holds over 10 % & as far as I know, MH only has share options, or at best holds very few. This has been an elephant in the room for many years as he takes a decent wedge in salary, but I guess it's just not for him & perhaps mortgage to the hilt. However, many plus sides, like great products, plenty of cash and the share options are not at a ridiculous low price unlike so many other AIM listed companies do. Down side, T/O last year wasn't even up with inflation and even with great products, the company has failed for many years to employ the right people to sell them. Yes, they have been told many times directly, but unfortunately brush the problem under the carpet each time. Worth investing, well of it wasn't for covid probably not!

[davidosh] 02/6/2024 09:08

Is anyone going to the Agm tomorrow?

Touchstar plc ((AIM: TST) "Touchstar", the "Company" or the "Group"), suppliers of mobile data computing solutions and managed services to a variety of industrial sectors, announces that its Annual General Meeting will be held at WH Ireland at 24 Martin Lane, London EC4R 0DR at noon on 3 June 2024.

[cocker] 29/5/2024 09:22

Perhaps you need to take your own advice when saying only say it once as mentioning how many shares one can sell and buy is amateur at best. Are you also not the guy who ask me for the chairman's email address, clearly if you were on the ball you would have it. Then we go back to my negative post, well all views should be welcomed especially ones that state lower than inflation T/O isn't something to shout about. I probably have more to lose than most if things aren't to good, but MH's arrogance towards his shareholders leaves a lot to be desired. Then we go on to David Dosh post about YU group and how he prefers steady growth stocks, well next month I shall be banking an 11k divi and having picked up most of my stock sub 1 quid, I certainly know where I should have put all of my money, rather than a steady growth stock as he describes TST.