Universe Share Discussion Threads

[skyship] 06/2/2008 10:10

OFFERED @ 5.00p !!!

Thankfully took the hit on 75% of my small holding back in October, but left with 25k I couldn't shift at the time......now wondering whether to ditch a meaningless holding or buy back..........

[ferty] 29/1/2008 12:39

5.82p to buy but will only sell you 10,000 online.

[sharestriker] 23/1/2008 12:02

5.85p to buy

[boadicea] 18/1/2008 13:20

Eps at half year was 0.39p but forecast for H2 is less - lets say 70% less or about 0.11p. That would give 0.5p for FY2007 and a per of 12 at 6p.
This year is forecast much better due to deferred effects from 2007, so doubling up the 2007H1, 2 x 0.39 = 0.78p. If the 0.28p shortfall is deferred and fully recoverable that would become 1.06p without any underlying growth.

Broker forecasts are minimal in number and probably 6m out of date. They were for
2007 1.02p (we must assume this is superseded by the tu, hence my 0.5p)
2008 1.09p (similar to my above but from different premise)
2009 1.30p

Not exciting but reasonably sound imho. At least it doesn't take too much on trust at the current share price

[sharestriker] 18/1/2008 09:24

Barclays 5.9 to buy 5.5 to sell

[ferty] 18/1/2008 09:21

Halifax quoting 5.9 to buy.

[sharestriker] 18/1/2008 09:19

online I could have got 5.5p for this amount

[sharestriker] 18/1/2008 09:14

A worried seller at 5p

[sharestriker] 18/1/2008 08:51

with the market as it is how low will this drop before it is oversold and becomes a buy!!!?

[giardap] 14/1/2008 13:32

With the wide spread it may take a while to achieve

[dealit] 13/1/2008 09:15

Thanks for that loganair, I should really top up at this share price never been so low. Universe should be worth a gamble, I cannot see any bad news in the results if the trading statement released in November of last year is correct. My reservation is I do not know what Universe can do to make themselves interesting to the markets. My thinking is if I bought at 6 1/2p and sold at 8p I would be happy. Any ideas anyone.

[loganair] 07/1/2008 19:28

dealit - The last set of company annual report states that Universe has 197 Employees, this was down from 227 the previous year before the sale of their foreign exchange outlets . The 5 people involved are the number of directors and not total number of employees.

As well as the UK, they also have a second office in Madrid.


I trust this info is of help.

[dealit] 02/1/2008 09:00

Cheers stephenwilson, have had a look and it would appear their are 5 people involved. Cannot see what they can do too increase growth or profit for the future. Their products is very limited to a specialised area and an office in Spain is not a forward thinking expansion plan. I get the feeling that the directors have got themselves a nice little earner and perhaps they are in their comfort zone with a guarenteed free holiday in Spain on expenses.

[stephenwilson] 01/1/2008 15:01

dealit, Have you tried their own web site for the info you want:-

[dealit] 01/1/2008 14:26

Can anyone tell me how many people are employed by UNG, having owned shares in UNG for some time now and loosing money. I am researching as a view to averaging down at this price. TD Waterhouse web site have them only employing 2 people I cannot see UNG progressing in any way with a small staff.

[howdlep] 19/12/2007 10:45

Nothing wrong with the trading update, even if some of the order pipeline will be rolled over. I am happy to be back in today

[ferty] 11/12/2007 20:12

Not far to go down now till it hits the last placing price of 6p.It may be that this is at last near the bottom.
Has anyone seen the Jet Wash, Air Tower and Vacuum system ('JAV')anywhere.If its supposed to be launched in the coming weeks there should be a few about.

[gubinz] 11/12/2007 16:19

Offer keeps dropping but the bid is staying at 6.25

This is the tightest spread I've seen here.

[sharestriker] 27/11/2007 12:33

Universe Group PLC
27 November 2007

Immediate release: 27 November 2007

Universe Group PLC

('Universe' or 'the Company')

Trading Update

Universe, the retail and loyalty systems company, (AIM: UNG.L), reported at the
time of its interim results on 15 August 2007 that the Company had experienced a
general improvement in trading and a return to profitability during the first
six months of 2007. This improvement has continued into the second half of the
year and the Board is confident that the out turn for the year will represent a
significant improvement over 2006.

Although the Company continues to experience growing demand for its services,
both in the UK and internationally, and the order pipeline is strong, the
fulfilment of a number of significant orders won during the year has been slower
than anticipated due to operational factors with the customers themselves. As a
result, more deliverables from these projects will be completed in 2008 rather
than 2007.

The results will also be affected by a refinement to the revenue-share model
that we announced in August in connection with the Jet Wash, Air Tower and
Vacuum system ('JAV'). We have increased costs and deferred revenues in 2007
ensuring a greater contribution from JAV during 2008 and beyond. We look forward
to updating shareholders in more detail about the JAV operations when the system
is publicly launched in the coming weeks.

Accordingly revenues for the second half to 31 December 2007 will be only
slightly higher than the £6.2m reported in the first half and pre tax profits
for the second half are expected to be less than the £447,000 contribution
achieved in the first six months.

John Scholes, Chairman of Universe commented: 'The underlying business continues
to be strong and the progress we have made, coupled with the strength of the
pipeline of contracted revenues and prospective opportunities for 2008, gives
the Board confidence for the future.'

[etome] 09/11/2007 12:00

At this turbulent time, oil stocks are stars. UNG does business with oil companies. We shall see further growth.

[loganair] 09/10/2007 21:38

SP just drifting down & down & down!!!

[wooly62] 08/10/2007 08:30

MITP - thanks. Not sure of the reality of Grinsell's departure, but it does look like they've sought to eliminate weak management with a succession of new appointments. Lots of positives and some grounds for cautious optimism.

[sharestriker] 04/10/2007 09:50

Personally I think this thinning out of directors is a good thing.
Cut costs and bring in new blood and ideas when required.
Last night on our local news they mentioned that chip and pin is now driving fraudsters abroad where chip and pin is not as widely used.
So come on Universe Group build up the international arm.

[markinthepark] 04/10/2007 09:34

For immediate release: 4 October 2007


Universe Group plc
("Universe" or the "Company")

Directorate Change


Universe today announced that Adrian Grinsell has resigned from the Board of the
Company with immediate effect, to concentrate on the completion of his masters
degree and then focus on new challenges.


Paul Cooper, Chief Executive of Universe, commented: "The Board thanks Adrian
for his commitment, enthusiasm and support as Director of Manufacturing Services
at HTEC. He leaves with our best wishes for the future."

[markinthepark] 02/10/2007 10:07

Wooly,

I'm not overly concerned about the past...asa new investor here I was drawn by the last update from the company, which included a number of senior appointments....and the recent purchases by directors...

Highlights

* Operating profit on continuing business #613,000 (H1 2006: #380,000);

* EPS on continuing business of 0.39p (2006: 0.28p);

* PBT on continuing business #447,000 (2006: #177,000);

* Management team strengthened by addition of key staff to realise new strategy:

o Appointment of Malcolm Coster as Non-Executive Director, previously
President of Europe, Middle East and Africa with UNISYS

o Charles Goulding was appointed to manage the operational re-organisation
and execute growth strategy for HTEC

o Richard Philips has joined as Head of HTEC's International Division

o Darren Graham has joined as Head of HTEC's Retail Division

* Strategy to restructure HTEC focuses on cross-selling products and expanding
the online services model to new territories;

* Further contract wins with BP Netherlands and another of the world's largest
oil companies, post period end.

Commenting, Paul Cooper, Chief Executive of Universe, said: "The retail division is pushing for sales from the expanding independent forecourt sector as the oil majors continue to exit from forecourt ownership. Initiatives at HTEC include the introduction, of a revenue share model on Jet wash, Air tower and Vacuum systems linked through our online managed service solution and the ongoing deployment of online payment systems. The first trial of an online Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system with a major supermarket is currently taking place and HTEC will continue to develop new revenue streams from its use of online data management."