Universe Share Discussion Threads

[rabbrooks] 09/9/2005 11:07

I have posted in the past that UNG is ready for a total sale,possibly in two parts. The money shop operation that now remains in Paris is not even a first cousin to the rump of the business. It may be that board members appreciate a few days break in the capital for R&R, but in business terms there is little justification for keeping it.The rump, which should be of interest to a larger competitor,could result in a fair financial return to the investors. There are relatively few transactions in the shares resulting in a huge spread which is unattractive.

[giovannina] 09/9/2005 10:00

still I am holding on for long term.!:0)

[giovannina] 09/9/2005 09:59

0811 GMT [Dow Jones] Charles Stanley lowers Universe Group (UNG.LN) 05 pretax
profit estimate to GBP1.37M from GBP1.49M. Follows interim results which, while
showing a good performance overall, highlights lower divisional margin at HTEC.
Brokerage pegs EPS at 1.8p and retains buy recommendation. Trades +13% at
26.5p. (DWE)

[teacake] 09/9/2005 08:45

In Dec 04, the share price was 36p. I should know. Reckon the company is more solid now than it was then. Things looking good. Be interesting to see what t1ps com make of the results.

[addict] 09/9/2005 08:35

A very nice set of results.Future reporting will exclude the previous losses from discontinued businesses,and I see things going from strength to strength.DYOR.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 08:24

Offer up to 28 now so give it some time and we will see the buys coming through, the MM's will use the 1 hour delayed reporting, and most likely will show as sells later if the price goes up more.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 08:17

Pomp I think that was someone getting kicked out by a sell at rise notice, they got knocked out on the initial mark up.

You will know when the new brokers note is released today or Monday as the large mark ups and then buys will start coming in.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 08:15

Me too Pomp there is just too much potential growth here and its going to be a great long term hold with solid gains.

[pomp circumstance] 09/9/2005 08:13

one trade of 1000 shares!!! I think we need to hire some porno stars!!!

[pomp circumstance] 09/9/2005 07:59

Plenty of levels to clear on the way up, Im in for the long run here from about 18p!

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 07:53

Will keep an eye out for broker upgrades today and Monday.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 07:29

The sale of First Remit in early August will give them the working cap. to put in some serious expansion in the second half of this year and we should be looking at a whopping first half of next year and beyond.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 07:23

I really liked this bit of the results;

Other Services

Our engineering field service has been so busy we have needed to employ an
additional resource on a contract basis. This has constrained our margins but
has been a way of coping with our expansion without increasing our cost base for the longer term.

[papalpower] 09/9/2005 07:04

Excellent !

Universe Group PLC
09 September 2005

UNIVERSE GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2005

Universe Group plc ('Universe' or the 'Company'), the retail and information
systems company, is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six months
ended 30 June 2005.

Highlights:
• Continuing turnover of £14.7 million (2004: £11.0 million)
• Operating profit on continuing business £1,229,000 (2004: £757,000)
• Profit before tax £482,000 (2004: loss of £224,000)
• Adjusted earnings per share 1.45p (2004: 0.84p)
• Sale of First Remit completed on 12 August 2005
• Unchanged interim dividend of 0.25p
• Appointment of Bishopsgate Communications Ltd as Financial and Corporate PR.


Commenting, Ray Mackie, Executive Chairman of Universe said:

'In the first half of 2005 we achieved an operating profit on our continuing
business and before exceptional items which was 62.3% higher than last year. In the main this was the result of an excellent performance at HTEC. Continuing operating profits before exceptional items were £1,229,000 compared to £757,000 for the first half of last year on a like for like basis. Our continuing business is that of HTEC and the Paris shops of Master Change'.

'The medium term prospects for HTEC are excellent although the second half will
be quieter. With its shop closure programme completed there are signs that the
Paris shops will put in a strong performance for Master Change.'

Enquiries:

Universe Group plc
Ray Mackie, Executive Chairman 02380 689510

Charles Stanley & Co Limited
Russell Cook 020 7739 8200

Bishopsgate Communications Ltd
Dominic Barretto, Maxine Barnes 020 7430 1600

Chairman's Statement

In the first half of 2005 we achieved an operating profit on our continuing
business and before exceptional items which was 62.3% higher than last year. In the main this was the result of an excellent performance at HTEC. Continuing operating profits before exceptional items were £1,229,000 compared to £757,000 for the first half of last year on a like for like basis. Our continuing business is that of HTEC and the Paris shops of Master Change.

[rabbrooks] 08/9/2005 20:11

There is very little retail interest in UNG. Only really decent results will get the big boys intersted as recently UNG are off thei radar screens

[papalpower] 08/9/2005 07:30

Today should be the last day to pick up any UNG on the cheap in my opinion. You can buy and sell between the spread still, its not what the MM's are making it look to be, for some reason they are showing a large spread when its not really like that, now why would they do that ?

[verynervy] 05/9/2005 17:04

will miss the fun papalpower as will be on holiday - so it will be look at the paper the next day to count my increased dosh!!

[acrussell] 03/9/2005 16:52

Should be a very interesting couple of weeks ahead

[papalpower] 03/9/2005 09:59

verynervy with results due this coming Friday, a weekend then to chew them over and broker upgrades on the 12th/13th the next two weeks should see that strong move up. I am looking forward to enjoying it.

[papalpower] 02/9/2005 07:09

verynervy a good day yesterday on small buying volume, if we get more buys today then I can see it going up again.

[papalpower] 01/9/2005 14:02

verynervy the bubbly would flow if they announce someone is going to buy them at NAV which is around 42p per share, now that would be the best thing but we should not get carried away and just look for forecast 2006 EPS of 3.5p at the broker upgrades.

[verynervy] 01/9/2005 13:47

my thoughts exactly

could be opening the bubbly soon

hick

[papalpower] 01/9/2005 12:04

From the way they are operating the spread in recent days you can see they are happy to get sells but do not want buyers, so who are they saving the shares for...........