Touchstone Grp Share Discussion Threads

[hugepants] 10/11/2004 14:09

I bought a few K after major contract wins announced on Friday.

[hugepants] 10/11/2004 03:25

I bought a few K after major contract wins announced on Friday.



Almost no reaction.

[astonicus] 02/12/2003 16:59

Welcome aboard Humdinger. Enjoy a stress free ride north, or the benefits of a potential management buyout. Either way, for me this one is tucked away for the pension.

Best wishes, Asti

[humdinger] 02/12/2003 16:01

Astonicus - just you and me mate and I ain't selling :)

Looks to me that the only way to buy 600k was for Directors to sell some which is what they did. Tuck away, enjoy the dividend and wait for the rampers to catch on - they'll arrive when it reaches about 130-150p.

[astonicus] 02/12/2003 14:51

I seem to be a lone contributer to this thread, dispite the stocks excellent credentials.

To confirm my thesis of yesterday the followig RNS was posted today: Does anyone know whether the management have any connection with Isis / Active Capital Trust?
Asti

RNS Number:7571S
Touchstone Group PLC
02 December 2003


TOUCHSTONE GROUP PLC (the "Company")

2 DECEMBER 2003



Touchstone Group plc

Holding in Company


The Company was informed today as a result of the purchase of 625,000 shares in
the Company ISIS Asset Management Plc has a material interest in the following
shares in the Company as shown below:


Name of Client No. of Shares % Name of Registered Holder

Active Capital Trust 995,000 9.59 Chase Nominees Ltd

[astonicus] 01/12/2003 14:09

4 Key Directors seel shares leaving TSE stronger!

RNS announced that Keith, David & Philip Birch plus Mike Collier sold off 600k shares last Friday, out of a total 1.2m sold at £1.

On the face of it bad news and a positive sell sign ... but no ... look behind this brilliant deal.

The AGM provided authority to but back 10% of stock. With Friday's trades this has now probably been completed.

On the basis that the remaining 600k was not bought by the Directors, but the whole was repurchased for cancellation the pre and post situation now looks like this:

Combined 4 Director holdings Pre 7.258m shares out of 10.35m (71%)
now 6.758m shares out of 9.16m shares (74%)

EPS at interims result stage 3.5p, now 4p - up 14%

Directors pocket £600k. Save £40k on dividend payouts which has probably paid for the recent aquistion at a knock down price from the liquidators.

This management knows now to run a company and deserves wider market recognition and not a tad but a lot more on its share price.
Asti

[astonicus] 30/11/2003 08:30

Friday 28, after hours trade 1m+ is the largest for a considerable time. Being well in excess of NMS, the trade lends support to the recent rise.

Traded before the stock goes ex-div, this looks very much like part of the share buy back approved at the AGM last year.

An astute move that will increase share holder value both by reducing the dividend payout and by increasing the net worth of shares in issue.

A bonus mark for the management,
Asti

[astonicus] 28/11/2003 11:13

RNS Number:6188S
Touchstone Group PLC
28 November 2003


Date: 28 November 2003

Contacts: Keith Birch, Managing Director
Touchstone Group plc 020 8441 7755

Trevor Phillips
Holborn Public Relations 020 7929 5599


Touchstone Group plc

Purchase of the Sage CRM business of Brown & Co (in liquidation) for an
undisclosed sum.


Touchstone Group plc ("Touchstone"), a leading IT services group supplying
integrated business solutions and services to mid-size UK companies, announces
the acquisition of the Sage CRM business of Brown & Co (in Liquidation) for an
undisclosed sum.


Brown & Co, a small Hertfordshire based Sales & Marketing Business Consultancy,
had developed a CRM practice generating on average #200,000 revenues per year
with a number of customers including Rebus HR and Morley Fund Management.


Commenting on the acquisition Touchstone's CEO Keith Birch said:


"We are delighted to welcome the clients of Brown & Co. Our CRM credentials and
financial stability will ensure a much brighter future for them. We are also
encouraged by the new project work that is starting to develop through this
business which will further strengthen our CRM division.


"We continue to examine opportunities for the continued growth of the Group and
are confident that through prudent acquisitions we will continue to deliver
value to our shareholders."


- ENDS -

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

ACQUWVRROBRAUAA

[astonicus] 13/11/2003 08:11

Result highlights

A good set of numbers. Solid company, positive peg. Time now to top up
Asti:

Touchstone Group plc
Group repositioned to offer business-wide solutions

Touchstone Group plc, a leading IT services group supplying integrated business
solutions and services to mid-size UK companies, announces interim results for
the six months to 30 September 2003.

Highlights

* Turnover increased to #6.95m (2002: #6.91m)

* Move to a greater solution-based implementation service.

* Growth in service revenues to over 75% of total revenues

* Cash balances up 6% on prior year

* Interim dividend increased 10% to 1.1p per share (2002: 1.0p)

* 50-client Microsoft Great Plains practice successfully absorbed following
acquisition during the period

Commenting, Keith Birch, Managing Director, said:

"I am pleased with another robust performance in a continuing difficult market.
Our initiative to provide an enhanced service offering is starting to pay
dividends with service-based revenues a growing proportion of total revenues.

"The business is being repositioned for future growth. The Board is mindful that this exercise combined with the slow start to the year will impact upon the results for the full year. However, as a result of improving order books and sales pipelines, we remain optimistic of a stronger performance in the second half over the first half of the year."

[astonicus] 07/11/2003 15:34

RNS Number:8147R
Touchstone Group PLC
07 November 2003


7 November 2003

Touchstone Group plc

Notification of Results


Touchstone Group plc, a leading IT Services Group, supplying business solutions
to mid-size UK companies, will be announcing interim results for the six months
to 30 September 2003 on Thursday, 13 November 2003.

[weatherman] 24/6/2003 22:46

Did no one notice a good result from Touchstone, after a mild profit warning earlier in the year? 12.8p eps this co is making good progress and looks good value.

Andrew

[astonicus] 06/6/2003 11:27

Date: 6 June 2003

Contacts: David Bick
Holborn 020 7929 5599
[e-mail]



Touchstone Group plc

Announcement Date



Touchstone Group plc ("Touchstone"), a leading IT services group supplying
integrated business solutions and services to mid-size UK companies, will be
announcing preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2003, on Tuesday,
17 June 2003.

[darcey] 06/6/2003 11:12

Interesting Jump here - don't think there may be a buy back at these rates?

[astonicus] 06/6/2003 10:33

Results on The 13th is still showing on their website.

Now can you guys help me. With a approved Company share buy back policy, which has partly been effected, can the Company buy back its own shares in the closed period? I understand that Directors are prohibited from doing so.

[mirandaj] 05/6/2003 11:40

17th June I know!.

[astonicus] 03/6/2003 08:49

Touchstone Group results due 13 June, according to their web site

[astonicus] 09/5/2003 00:08

Surprised no one has picked up the nuance of the Trading statement, shortly followed by the company buying back some of its shares.

The shortfall is due, says Keith Birch to additional investment expenditure. Whilst sales are a tad down they are higher than last year.

With a very strong balance sheet this is a very cheap quality growth share. Good to see the subsequent uplift in prices since. Look forward to the reults and Mr Birch's prospects statement.

[wjccghcc] 22/4/2003 14:05

Agreed. Good cashflow and good yield. Looking to buy at 60p.

[vegrqbvgt4e] 17/4/2003 11:41

There have been a number of displays of confidence in this share over the last few months.

- Director buying
- Company buying its own shares in 3 separate lots

I think that the market has overreacted to the lukewarm trading statement put out a month or so ago.

Any more drips into the market & I think that this will be worth a serious punt.

It could even be taken private at this price.

Worth a look IMHO.

[sootyjock] 14/3/2003 21:48

Any news in the rumour Touchstone is buying Aston?

[vegrqbvgt4e] 31/1/2003 13:03

Just want to put this on my favourites list

[gzr] 16/1/2003 16:57

Exactly. What are you talking about, Astonicus?!!