Udg Healthcare Public Share Discussion Threads

[liarspoker] 03/12/2004 08:57

Oh nice - increase in forecasts.

Thanks for the info guys.

[cambium] 03/12/2004 08:53

Based in Dublin, United Drug might not be well-known in the UK - but it should be. Benefiting from the collective woes of the global pharmaceutical giants, the company provides outsourced sales and distribution services to Pfizer, Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca, in addition to owning a pharmaceutical wholesale business that services Irish retail pharmacies. This week, it celebrated its 19th successive year of growth.

Before goodwill and exceptional costs, pre-tax profits rose 21 per cent, to E42.4m (about £30m), and finance director Barry McGrane is confident his company can maintain this level of growth, driven by the trend towards outsourcing by pharmaceutical companies. United Drug continues to look for acquisition opportunities, too. Over the next three to five years, it is eyeing European expansion although, at present, Mr McGrane believes there remains "plenty of potential" in Ireland and the UK.

Broker Goodbody's has raised pre-tax profit forecasts for 2005 by 6 per cent to E43.9m, giving EPS of 16.6¢.

[bmwilson] 02/12/2004 22:50

Gents just popped over here tonite
i don't own any united drug shares but a wee bit of info for u
sangers the northern ireland subsiduary of udg have just completed the account handover of the third biggest multiple pharmacy group in n-ireland as well as a few others key accounts effective from november 2004.
these pharmacys had previously held their accounts with AAH wholesale a division of GEHE and have all moved en masse to sangers last month
estimated turnover of these shops is 45-50m per annum so a tidy wee sum
any other info u need i'll be happy to help

bmw

[liarspoker] 01/12/2004 11:14

RNS Number:8078F
United Drug PLC
30 November 2004

United Drug Plc



30 November 2004



Re: Holding in Company



A Letter from Fidelity Investments dated 25 November 2004 to United Drug plc.







ENCLOSED ARE AMENDED NOTIFICATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS UNDER THE
U.K.COMPANIES ACT 1985. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE THIS INFORMATION DETAILS THE
DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS OF MORE THAN ONE ENTITY, THE ENCLOSED DISCLOSURE
CONSTITUTES SEPARATE NOTIFICATIONS OF INTEREST WHICH HAVE BEEN COMBINED SOLELY
FOR PURPOSES OF CLARITY AND EFFICIENCY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE THAT ANY
OF THESE ENTITIES ACT AS A GROUP OR IN CONCERT WITH RESPECT TO THESE INTERESTS.



THESE DISCLOSURES ARE MADE IN THE INTEREST OF CONFORMITY WITH THE COMPANIES ACT.
THE INTEREST DETAILED HEREIN WAS ACQUIRED SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES. FOR
DISCLOSURE PURPOSES, HOLDINGS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED AS FMR CORP. AND ITS DIRECT
AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES AND FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (FIL) AND ITS
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES BOTH BEING NON-BENEFICIAL HOLDERS.



Amanda Philips

Regulatory Reporting Analyst

FEDELITY INVESTMENTS















AMENDMENT #28



NOTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTIONS 198 - 202 - U.K. COMPANIES ACT





1. COMPANY IN WHICH SHARES ARE HELD: UNITED DRUG PLC



2. NOTIFIABLE INTEREST: ORDINARY SHARES



(A) FMR CORP.

82 DEVONSHIRE STREET

BOSTON, MA 02109



PARENT HOLDING COMPANY OF FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY (FMRCO),
INVESTMENT MANAGER OF US MUTUAL FUNDS AND FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
(FMTC), A US STATE CHARTERES BANK WHICH ACTS AS A TRUSTEE OR INVESTMENT MANAGER
OF VARIOUS PENSION AND TRUST ACCOUNTS. (SEE SCHEDULE A FOR LISTING OF REGISTERED
SHAREHOLDERS AND THEIR HOLDINGS)



(B) FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (FIL)

P.O. BOX HM 670

HAMILTON HMCX, BERMUDA



PARENT HOLDING COMPANY FOR VARIOUS DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES, INCLUDING
FIDELITY INVESTMENT SERVICES LTD. (FISL),INVESTMENT MANAGERS FOR VARIOUS NON-US
INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS. (SEE SCHEDULE A FOR LISTING OF
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS AND THEIR HOLDINGS)





3. THE NOTIFIABLE INTERESTS ALSO COMPRISE THE NOTIFIABLE INTERST OF:

MR. EDWARD C. JOHNSON 3d

82 DEVONSHIRE STREET

BOSTON, MA 02109



PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER OF FMR CORP. AND FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.



4.THE NOTIFIABLE INTERESTS INCLUDE INTEREST HELD ON BEHALF OF AUTHORIZED UNIT
TRUST SCHEMES IN THE U.K. NOTWITHSTANDING THE EXEMPTION FORM REPORTING PURSUANT
TO SECTION 209 (1)(H) OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1985.





5. THESE NOTIFICATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS CONSTITUTE SEPARATE
NOTIFICATIONS OF INTEREST IN THE SHARES AND ARE COMBINED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES
OF CLARITY. NOTHING HEREIN SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INDICATE THAT FMR CORP. AND ITS
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES, FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND ITS DIRECT
AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES, OR MR, EDWARD C. JOHNSON 3d ACT AS A GROUP OR IN
CONCERT IN RESPECT OF THE DISCLOSED INTERESTS, OR THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO
SUBMIT THESE NOTIFICATIONS ON A JOINT BASIS.





6. THE DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS ARISE UNDER SECTION 208 (4)(B) OF THE ACT,

NAMELY WHERE A PERSON, NOT BEING THE REGISTERED HOLDER, IS ENTITLED TO EXERCISE
A RIGHT CONFERRED BY THE HOLDING OF THE SHARES OR TO CONTROL THE EXERCISE OF
SUCH RIGHTS, OR UNDER SECTION 203 OF THE ACT RESPECTIVELY.



Rani Jandu

Regulatory Report Manager, FIL - Investment Compliance

DULY AUTHORIZED UNDER POWERS OF

ATTORNEY DATED August 25, 2004 by Eric D Roiter

BY AND ON BEHALF OF FMR CORP, AND ITS

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES, AND

FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

AND ITS DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES,



SCHEDULE A

AMENDMENT #28



SECURITY: UNITED DRUG PLC




(ORDINARY SHARES) SHARES HELD MANAGEMENT COMPANY NOMINEE/REGISTERED NAME
733,851 FIL JP Morgan, Bournemouth
Total
17,792,058 FIL Brown Bros Harrimn Ltd LUX
Total
54,600 FIL JP Morgan Bournemouth Total
4,125,032 FISL JP Morgan Bournemouth Total
3,552,326 FMRCO Brown Brothers Harriman and
Co Total
1,484,600 FPM JP Morgan Bournemouth Total
64,800 FPM Northern Trust London

Total
27,807,267 Grand Total Ordinary Shares

Current ownership 12.89%
percentage
Shares in issue 215,759,883
Change in holdings since +109,070 ordinary shares
last filing:
Change in holdings is
primarily due to the
increase in the share
capital figure







This announcement has been issued through the Companies Announcement Service of

the Irish Stock Exchange.








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

[liarspoker] 30/11/2004 08:13

RNS Number:7910F
United Drug PLC
30 November 2004





Board of Directors Announcement



Stephen J C Simms - Resignation as of 31st March 2005



30 November 2004.


Following twenty-three successful years in Pharmaceutical Wholesaling in various
capacities including: Managing Director of Sangers (Northern Ireland) Ltd;
Director of Wholesaling for United Drug plc; Founder Director of Numark plc; and
past Chairman of the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, Stephen
Simms considers the time is right to move on and leave future industry
challenges to a younger generation. In deciding to alter career paths, he leaves
behind a legacy of stable, well-managed and very profitable businesses with
every prospect of strong growth in the future. We wish Stephen well in his new
endeavours.


A replacement Managing Director for Sangers Northern Ireland will be announced
early in the New Year.


Liam FitzGerald

Chief Executive.

Ends.

[m.t.glass] 29/11/2004 13:21

Ah, I see. Thanks.

[liarspoker] 29/11/2004 13:16

New United Drug Director.

Cambium was asking who he is - so here it is.

Just wonder if he can keep his mind on UDG if he is working in a bear pit.

[m.t.glass] 29/11/2004 12:39

"...likely to lead to big earnings upgrades in the coming weeks..."



The Times:

ShareWatch: United Drug continues on a high
EDITED BY FRANK FITZGIBBON

THESE are good times for investors in United Drug who have enjoyed almost two years of uninterrupted growth in the share price during which time the company’s market value has soared to €745m.
Last week’s results were excellent. The biggest surprise came in the form of improved margins. Given the low returns that distinguish this distribution business that was no mean feat and is likely to lead to big earnings upgrades in the coming weeks.

Davy Stockbrokers notes that most of United Drug’s key capital commitments are almost complete. It says that in coming years a larger proportion of EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) will translate to free cash flow, “enabling rapid run-down of debt and strengthening of balance-sheet finances”. United Drug’s organic growth prospects can be supplemented by acquisitions without adversely stretching the balance sheet.

[liarspoker] 29/11/2004 12:27

LONDON (AFX) - United Drug PLC year to September 30 2004
Sales - 1.25 bln eur vs 1.08 bln
Pretax profit before exceptionals and goodwill - 42.42 mln eur vs 35.05 mln
Pretax profit - 38.28 mln eur vs 30.22 mln
Fully diluted EPS before exceptionals and goodwill - 15.76 cents vs 13.35
EPS before exceptionals and goodwill - 15.97 cents vs 13.48
EPS - 14.03 cents vs 11.32
Final div - 3.48 cents
Total div - 4.80 cents vs 4.11

vjt/

[liarspoker] 29/11/2004 12:26

Better late than never;

RNS Number:6141F
United Drug PLC
24 November 2004



SCHEDULE 11

NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS



1. Name of company


United Drug plc



2. Name of director


Gary Mcann



3. Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest
or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's
spouse or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial
interest


Gary McCann



4. Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)


Gary McCann



5. Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the
director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)


n/a



6. Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicate whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary


purchase of shares



7. Number of shares / amount of stock acquired


8,000 ordinary shares

8. Percentage of issued class


0.0037%



9. Number of shares/amount of stock disposed


n/a



10. Percentage of issued class


n/a



11. Class of security


Euro0.05 Ordinary Shares



12. Price per share


Euro3.38



13. Date of transaction


23 November 2004



14. Date company informed


23 November 2004



15. Total holding following this notification


8,000 ORD shares



16. Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification


0.0037%



If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following boxes.



17. Date of grant

[cambium] 26/11/2004 11:38

Lovely Day Liarspoker

[liarspoker] 26/11/2004 11:35

240p broken - nice.........

[liarspoker] 25/11/2004 12:09

240p within reach. =8-)

[liarspoker] 25/11/2004 01:15

Director buying is always a good sign.

Will post RNS when I get MY computer back ( can't work this mouse on the laptop out ) !!!

Could someone else maybe post the RNS first - TIA !!!!!

[liarspoker] 23/11/2004 15:26

Morning Cambium - or should I say afternoon.

Sorry - didn't see your post this am.

Beautiful day in'it !!!

[liarspoker] 23/11/2004 08:23

Thanks MT....

Like I said nothing to write home about but very nice to have compounding year after year. =8-)

[cambium] 23/11/2004 08:21

nice and steady,

liarspoker where are you?

Morning all

[m.t.glass] 23/11/2004 08:19

United Drug PLC
23 November 2004


United Drug plc
Preliminary Announcement of Results
Year ended 30 September 2004
Highlights
2004 2003 Increase
€'000 €'000 %
As restated

Group turnover ....................... 1,252,557... 1,079,672 ... 16%
Trading profit* ........................ 45,741 ... 38,471 .... 19%
Profit before taxation* ........... 42,420 ... 35,047 ... 21%
Fully diluted earnings per share * ... 15.76c ... 13.35c ... 18%
Dividend per share ................. 4.80c ... 4.11c .... 17%
* excluding goodwill amortisation and exceptional item (in 2003)





"..our long-term track record of delivering superior financial returns for our
shareholders has been continued, and indeed enhanced, during the year. This is
our nineteenth successive year of delivering year-on-year earnings growth as a
public company - a track record we are very proud of and one that few other
plc's can match. Development has taken place in all four business divisions and
each has progressed strategically and financially in the period..."


Click link in News panel (up top) for full text.

(And this despite delays in the UK warehousing upgrades)

[liarspoker] 17/11/2004 08:34

Could see another 5 - 8% on the share price easily leading up to the results.

Remember this is too big to be a growth share but the compounding factor at 15 - 20% per annum is too nice.

[liarspoker] 16/11/2004 09:49

Cheers Cambium - all info very much appreciated.

Leave the info on here if you will someone else might be interested AFTER we have bought. ;-)

[cambium] 16/11/2004 09:46

I phoned the MD last week and he said that they have a number of Properties that are on the book at cost and havent been revalued since then ranging from 1989 through to 2002(I think)

I am not in yet as I do not want to sell any of my current holdings ASC and MPH to name but a few.

I also have a friend who has a contact within, don't worry nothing dodgy, just to say that the co. is run very well, they are well stocked so that when someone wants an item of stock they have it. The staff are polite and williong to help.

They are also being recommended from within the constuction industry.

Just a few thoughts, I will let you know soon when I have bought, sorry to be off topic on your thread, if you would like me to delete after you have read I will do so,

regards

C

[liarspoker] 16/11/2004 09:35

Nice one Cambium - those figures look rather good alright.

Those on the thread seem to think that there is limited upside left. What do you think ?? Are you holding at the mo' ??

Will look into it later, right now I'm gonna have a coffee and then do some study....DOH !!! Management accounting exam tonight.