Universe Share Discussion Threads

[rabbrooks] 15/8/2005 15:54

I personally hope that the board consider a total sale of the company. RTD could bring it back into the fold where there would be a home awaiting it.

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 12:46

The MM's on here also do not want people buying, like I said last week, they are keeping a massive spread and taking in the sells. When the spread closes then volume trading will increase and they know that.

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 12:44

When I read the last interview with Ray Mackie on t1ps.com he was pretty positive that HTEC is going to deliver massive profits in the years to come. If I remember he did not disagree that it would be worth over 20 million to sell in a couple of years, but then said after putting so much into it and with the exponential growth just starting at the bottom of the curve, then why sell it, better to enjoy the growth its going to give.

We need now to see those results and digest what the sale of First Remit allows to happen.

[mercedes] 15/8/2005 12:33

papal,Thanks for that.
I remember when First Remit started, it was going to be the big profit maker for the group.........suppose times change?
I would feel better if they had more new products/projects in the pipeline,remember HTEC a couple of years back when orders dried up.What happens if that cycle comes around again.No good relying on Mastercharge to fill the void.
Don`t get me wrong I`m well in to this company....just concerned at this move.

Merc

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 11:55

Merc, no expert just interested.

First Remit was due for its first profits the first half of this year (to be reported on Sept 9th) and that will still be in, but if you can sell it as a profitable venture then why not make the most !. First remit was a big earner that went into trouble and now just out of it, but future growth will be minimal so better out for decent money.

HTEC is the big one and is the exponential growth here, Mastercharge will/should break even at year end after a small loss at interims. Mastercharge has growth potential and is due for profit next finanacial year.

So now we have cash from First Remit sale, at a good price should be.

We have HTEC making profit and more and more each year that passes, and we have Mastercharge into profit from next year.

Looks very good, and a good idea to dump First Remit as soon as it was profitable and therefore saleable at a good price.

[mercedes] 15/8/2005 11:22

Hey..............what happened here? Looks like a bought more at the right time for once.
Papal, you seem to be an expert,why have the shares gone up when they have sold part of the company that was making money? We now have a two product company.Any ideas?

Merc

[acrussell] 15/8/2005 11:07

Indeed, I can't wait for the results. I wonder how much First Remit was sold for

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 11:00

ACR if they do take out a lump of the debt then we should see the dividend level going up, roll on the results now on the 9th Sept.

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:35

Debt at end of 2004 was 4.83 million.

2006 EPS is forecast presently at 2.3 but that should be upgraded after results.

Present PER is times 9, so give it a sector average before upgrades to 2006 forecast and you have 32.2p and with an upgrade to EPS of 3p for 2006 then 42p.

Going up.

[acrussell] 15/8/2005 10:30

Lets hope so, such is my confidence in UNG being undervalued they make up 75% of my portfolio at the mo

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:28

First Remit was profitable in the first half, so that negates any small losses on Mastercharge first half. HTEC as expected makes profit and more and more as time goes on.

So they have sold off a profitable First Remit, can now pay back their remaining small debts if they wish and move on to a proper PER rating, with HTEC making more and more profits and Mastercharge due to break even financial year end and into profit next year.

If that is what happens then due a major rating upgrade.

[acrussell] 15/8/2005 10:24

Great news, wish I had topped up even more last Thursday

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:17

Or maybe over 40p.

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:16

Somewhere over 30p when results and updates come out on the 9th Sept.

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:14

Now if that pays off certain debts, and with HTEC making loads of profit, we should see the NAV price very soon !

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:12

Glad I had my top up last week !

[papalpower] 15/8/2005 10:12

Universe Group PLC
15 August 2005

UNIVERSE GROUP PLC


Universe Group PLC

Sale of First Remit to Travelex

Universe Group PLC ('Universe'), the retail and information systems company,
announces that it has sold its international money transfer business, First
Remit, to Travelex Money Transfer Limited ('TMT'), a subsidiary of Travelex, the world's largest foreign exchange specialist, for an undisclosed price.
Since 2002 First Remit has established a network of more than 3,500 locations in 46 money transfer countries including UK, India, Jamaica, Eastern Europe and
parts of Africa.

Universe Chairman, Ray Mackie, commented 'We are very pleased with this outcome. First Remit is a small operator in a huge market. We believe that Travelex has the resources to make best use of the First Remit Network.'

TMT's CEO, Mohit Davar said 'The acquisition of First Remit is a significant
step towards helping TMT enhance its global presence. It will add a further 16
markets to the current 109 countries in which TMT already operates. It will
also help us gain additional market share in over 30 countries.'

[papalpower] 12/8/2005 18:19

The MM's for some reason do not want volume trading at the moment, and with this one thats good news, someone might have placed a large buy order now and thats why the rise to 23p to stop buyers but keep the bid low to get sellers.

[acrussell] 12/8/2005 16:05

Can't buy at less than 23p at the mo

[papalpower] 12/8/2005 10:02

All quiet today but will not be quiet for many more days with results due 9th Sept.

[papalpower] 11/8/2005 16:45

Around a 10 to 1 buy to sell ratio today taking in the 1 hour delay on larger trade reports.

[papalpower] 11/8/2005 16:12

mercedes I will as we inch forward to the results.

[mercedes] 11/8/2005 16:00

Papal,

Please......keep on buying then

Merc

[papalpower] 11/8/2005 15:05

Funny my buy should cause them to go from red to blue.

[papalpower] 11/8/2005 15:04

I just topped up and after my buy they moved the bid and offer up, now showing blue.

It will soon be into the 20 days before results time frame so expect the buys to stream in on this one.

Still have short term target of 30p and these interims should be very strong, profitable and outlook positive.

Good luck to all.