WS Atkins Share Discussion Threads

[cashflo] 21/6/2004 08:34

RNS today:
LONDON (AFX) - WS Atkins PLC, the UK support services company, will on
Tuesday post full-year profit well above market expectations thanks to a
lucrative contract to upgrade the London Underground, The Sunday Telegraph said,
without saying where it obtained the information.
The UK paper said the company is set to reveal pretax profit surged to more
than 56 mln stg in the year to March 31 versus a re-stated 18.7 mln stg last
year, and will at last double its dividend payment to 3 pence per share.
The Telegraph said the market is expecting Atkins, which in December
reported interim pretax of 17.8 mln stg, to deliver a full-year figure of 50
mln.
The company said in February performance across its principal businesses
continued to be "good and ahead of expectations" and it anticipated that
adjusted pretax profit for the year will be "somewhat ahead of the market
consensus".
rhb/ak

Good stuff this morning again from atkins - going to 620 short term target

[cashflo] 18/6/2004 20:13

Good solid stuff again from Atkins but look at that volume not all that high:
Interesting how the market makers "walked" the price up above 570 this afternoon, bid right on 570 tempting buyers and making sellers think - that's probably where the 50 day Ema is now and I wouldn't be surprised to see 580 next week. Bought on the day of the statement and only wish I could have aquired more but I think the brokers were struggling for stock for a few hours on that day.

[ireland05] 11/6/2004 10:27

FT today, MOD has shortlisted ATK, EDS, PA Con. and Qinetiq for a £6bn contract for a programme to build the armys next geration of armoured vehicles.

[salpara111] 10/6/2004 14:23

Well I guess it depends on how the results and perhaps more importantly, what the future outlook is.
At current levels they are pretty fairly valued but dont attain the same rating as the best in sector so I guess there is still some more upside to be had.
I am continuing to hold and am happy to do so, having said that if we see another run taking it to £6.50 or so then I would probably be inclined to take at least some of my profits.

[last-in] 10/6/2004 12:01

The price has tended to rise on up-beat outlook statements in results and trading statements. The last trading statement on the 19th Feb was very muted in comparison to what has been said previously - quote

it anticipates that adjusted pretax profit for the year to
March will be "somewhat ahead of the market consensus".

That brought about the recent drop in the price because previous statements have tended to use the word significant rather than "somewhat". This will need very close watching as we get nearer the 22nd

[last-in] 10/6/2004 11:40

Thats OK Tony - I always find your posts interesting. Especially when you report someone is pushing a stock I have decided to sell.

I am just plotting on my chart the last few results announcements to see what the price usually does 'post results' - will post when I have done it

[last-in] 10/6/2004 11:30

Thanks Tony, back in again but not at agood price 562p - had to sell a few things first. Still 10% here anf 10% there soon adds up

Not sure about Mitie - bought these about 6 months ago as a good value play but they seem to have just drifted. I think the company has good fundamentals but little market interest. That was one of the holdings I just sold to get back into ATK.

[tonyleongson] 09/6/2004 13:00

Teather says buy Mitie Group (LSE: MTO.L - news) , and WS Atkins (LSE: ATK.L - news) and has strong buy recommendations on Belhaven Group (LSE: BHG.L - news) and Merrydown .

[tonyleongson] 08/6/2004 13:37

LONDON (AFX) - WS Atkins plc said performance across its principal
businesses continues to be good and ahead of expectations, particularly in the
transport segment.
As a result, it anticipates that adjusted pretax profit for the year to
March will be "somewhat ahead of the market consensus".
Atkins considers adjusted profit to be before amortisation of pension
deficit/surplus, amortisation of goodwill, exceptional items and EBTs.
The outlook in all Atkins principal markets remains good, it said.
The company said its better than expected cash performance was due to an
improved operating performance and the continued emphasis on working capital
management, together with the impact of one off items including disposal
proceeds. Atkins is already cash positive and anticipates net cash of the order of 50 mln stg by the financial year end, it added..

[last-in] 08/6/2004 13:02

You are certainly right there - I was waiting for about 525 to buy back in.

Currently 549/553 on good volume - good sign

[sugasuga] 08/6/2004 12:15

Looks to be heading north sooner than you guys thought!!

[0222166] 08/6/2004 07:45

I dont think it will have time to reach £4 before results which should push it north again

[last-in] 07/6/2004 15:59

I sold out when the M&S bid was announced and moved my money to that, hoping to see a quick 25%

The chart for Atkins says that thry are firmly in a downtrend and if it breaks 525, it could well drift down to 400.

I am watching and will buy back when the trend looks like turning.

[salpara111] 04/6/2004 15:08

The only reason that I have stayed in is because of the fundamentals underpinning the valuation.
I am hoping for a bump for the results and am considering adding a modest long spreadbet to my actual underlying holding as I feel that it is reasonable to expect these to head back to the £6 mark as long as the results are reasonably positive. Any unexpected good news could see the price move towards the £7 mark. Just my opinion as someone who has made a stack on this stunner over the last 18 months.

[robbiewilson] 04/6/2004 14:13

well the price just keeps on falling :o( was nice to see it reach £6 but it appears to be on a downward trend now, lets hope it picks up later this month...

[last-in] 19/5/2004 14:48

The price is falling because there has been no positive news from the company

The price is now around the level it was when the trading update was issued in Feb saying results would be better than expected. The reults are due 22nd June and there has previously been buying activity leading upto the results.

The main thing hanging over the price will be any unexpected sizable provisions for Metronet, not sure what the exposure is there.

[chrisjg] 19/5/2004 11:48

tonyleongson - don't feel hard done by you are not alone I made almost the same trade as you, roughly buying at around 70p and selling at 120 ... oh if only I had held :-)

Good luck with your trading
all the best Chrisjg

[robbiewilson] 19/5/2004 11:33

so whats happening then, no posts for over 2 weeks and the price is falling :o(