Universe Share Discussion Threads

[davidosh] 06/10/2010 09:41

Did Brulines make an offer to ALL shareholders ??

[loganair] 06/10/2010 09:36

bobby - Not enough share holders were willing to sell at the price brulines was offering.

[bobby.ifa] 30/9/2010 08:52

I wonder why brulines didn't take them over?

[boadicea] 30/9/2010 08:31

Interim report -


The company now seems to be cut down to a basically profitable core, with its slightly reduced debt (after sale of Jet-wash business and non-cash write-off of associated goodwill) and possibly sub-critical mass being the main impediments to progress.

However, the cleaned up company may now appear as a more attractive t/o candidate, imho.

[geraldus] 28/9/2010 16:14

A bit of pre result interest recently,though not much else.

[geraldus] 28/5/2010 13:47

Well at least todays announcement clears the water but it looks as if there might still be some corporate action down the line.

[etome] 28/4/2010 15:28

Universe EBITDA up despite sales fall
Business Financial Newswire 28-04-10

Retail and loyalty systems group Universe reported a 53% rise in EBITDA to £1.85m for the year to December, despite a 12.5% fall in turnover to £14.49m.

The group increased its gross margin to 36% from 33%, driven by an improved sales mix and cost reductions.

Operating profit before exceptional items was up 45% to £0.75m.

Reported loss after tax was £0.50m, up from £0.35m, after exceptional costs of £1m which were mainly a result of restructuring.

Chairman John Scholes said 2009 had seen weak demand from major customers and this had been 'a difficult back-drop against which to continue the transition of the group from manufacturer to solutions provider'.

Progress in winning new business was being made in all four divisions.

The group said its existing credit facilities required significant capital repayments during 2010 and consequently it was not recommending a dividend.

[davidosh] 27/4/2010 21:26

Yes...I was in Retail Decisions a few years back up to the takeover.

[geraldus] 27/4/2010 14:54

Yes,steaming on in anticipation of good results and bid update.Some good chat from big holders over on iii. - G.Spotts.

[etome] 27/4/2010 13:58

Some ppl must know good results are coming. Today's rise is impressive.

[srpactive] 27/4/2010 13:22

david dosh

here too, were you in rtd.

regards

active

[boadicea] 27/4/2010 13:04

"As well as expecting organic growth from [the Forecourt Services] division, the Group will continue to pursue suitable acquisitions in order to achieve this." - Brulines.

Certainly there is some stirring in the share price today but no real volume - Just about £10k of deals (all buys?) up to lunch time.

[davidosh] 26/4/2010 12:19

Brulines still interested in the business ??

[geraldus] 14/4/2010 19:00

Looks like someone has been collecting of late.The silence is deafening on the Brulines bid,they will have to give some kind of update with the forthcoming results - 5p on the cards? DYOR

[geraldus] 31/3/2010 15:31

Could be in play again,heading north

[geraldus] 26/3/2010 16:02

Buyers coming back in today,so far - smart money?.Must admit had a few myself again.

[davidosh] 16/3/2010 15:37

Any thoughts or comments ?

[boadicea] 14/3/2010 21:17

dealit - Perhaps you should be looking around .....

[dealit] 03/3/2010 19:23

According to my broker results are out on Friday.
Arbuthnot Securities Limited have been buying for a long time including last week, tomorrow may be a good top up day IMHO

[boadicea] 26/1/2010 18:31

The mm's have been taking a trickle of paltry trades, nearly all sells, for the past few weeks but holding the share price fairly steady.
Today's move up indicates that the two larger trades (actually less than £9k's worth altogether) are most probably buys with the mm's thankful to pass them on imho.

We may not see any action before the results - last year they were at end of April.

[loganair] 11/12/2009 17:01

What ever happened to "Jet Wash" the supposed saviour of UNG?

[boadicea] 29/10/2009 21:45

And now -


So they've upset Brulines who had said they could take the contract (including the change/termination terms) anyway.
Brulines seem concerned to stay on-side. Maybe they will now view their holding (8.33% of UNG) simply as a trade investment on which they can hope to make a profit.

[boadicea] 29/10/2009 09:10

The following announcement was made late yesterday so isn't flagged this morning on advfn -


From memory, I believe the supermarket concerned is Wm Morrison.
The revocation clause will have a significant effect on the desirability of UNG as a purchase for Brulines, hence the 'frustration' argument and the need to refer the matter to shareholders.

Obviously UNG want the contract renewal and extension but we don't know their attitude to the Brulines interest or how hard they tried to have the revocation clause removed.

Without the clause, the contract would, I think, be in the normality of business and not require specific shareholder approval. I don't know whether there is already conflict in other areas between Wm Morrison(?) and Brulines.

A difficult decision in the short term as it may induce Brulines to walk away thereby removing some of the current support for the share price Refusal of the contract would, of course have a similar effect - in fact two effects as neither the contract nor Brulines interest might then be supporting the share price

So, I see little option but to go with current business and probably forget Brulines.
However, I do not advise - DYOR.