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Ian Pollard – Lighthouse #LGT Full Year Divi Up By 67%
Lighthouse Group plc LGT claims an excellent set of results for 2018 despite softening market conditions in the second half of the year. With an Interim dividend of 0.20p. per share already paid, a final dividend of 0.50p. per share is now proposed compared to 30p per share in 2017, making a 67% increase for the full year. Further growth is expected for 2019 notwithstanding current market uncertainty.
Travis Perkins plc TPK saw like for like revenue growth of 4.9% in the year to the 31st December, after a strong second half. in which adjusted operating profit, excluding property profits, grew by 10.7%. helped by successful cost reductions. Despite that, adjusted operating profit for the year as a whole fell by 1.3% and the rise in the yearly dividend was limited to 2.2%. Uncertain market conditions are expected to continue in the near future and adjusted operating profit for 2019 is expected to be similar to 2018 at 375m.
Meggitt PLC MGGT Organic revenue growth of 9% reflected a strong performance in growing end-markets for 2018, with 7% growth in civil aerospace, 10% in defence and 19% in energy. On an organic order basis growth came in at 12%. Recommended final dividend of 11.35p gives a full year increase of 5%. The Chief Executive regards it as a landmark year and further good progress is expected for 2019.
Augean PLC AUG is currently experiencing strong initial trading for the start of 2019 after a pleasing 2018 in which adjusted profit before tax increased by 69% and basic earnings per share by 56%. Cost savings exceeded their target. Trading in the first months of 2019 is well ahead of last year. Further growth is targeted in the core key markets of Energy from Waste and North Sea Decommissioning.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC Enjoyed strong sales growth across retail, digital & wholesale channels in the six months to the end of December. Revenue rose by 13% and both reported profit before tax and profit after tax rose by 7%. The interim dividend remains unchanged at 6p per share.Christmas was again successful, with the launch of the new Velvetiser Hot Chocolate maker which exceeded initial expectations six-fold.
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Ian Pollard – Burberry #BRBY revenue falls; excitement with brand heat & social conversation
Burberry Group plc BRBY would have you believe that customers are experiencing excitement ahead of new product delivery. They are also building brand heat and that is causing the customer excitement to grow even more. Digital engagement is also high on the list of jargon in todays update which is for the 13 weeks to the 29th December. Unfortunately the figures will not create any excitement as they show retail revenue fell by 1% during the thirteen weeks or 2% at constant exchange rates.Social conversation reached c57 million consumers during the Festive season. The company seems to appear to be proud of that even if it did not do much for revenue. In case you missed it first time round hey are keen to confirm this brand heat thing.
Antofagasta ANTO finished the year strongly with record copper production for the quarter whilst net cash costs for the quarter were the lowest since 2012. 2019 is expected to start with real momentum for what the company expects to be another record-setting year’ with production increasing by up to 9% to 750-790,000 tonnes.Group and copper production also set a record for the year and fourth quarter gold production increased by 87% over the previous quarter. Gold, copper and molybdenum production in 2019 are all expected to set new records.
WH Smith plc SMWH claims a strong trading performance across the Group for the 20 weeks to the 19th January.Total sales rose by 6% and like for like by 3%, The High Street is said to be doitg well with a sales fall of 1%, whilst the international business has continued to grow and now has over 420 stores.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC updates that total Group revenue for 13 weeks to the 30th December increased by 15% compared to the previous year. 15 new stores were opened during the six months to the end of December,
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Ian Pollard – Glencore #GLEN Strongest Performance on Record
Glencore GLEN claims that its 2017 performance was the strongest on record with industrial adjusted EBITDA rising by 60% and basic earnings per share by 310%, helped by rising commodity prices which are completely outside the control of the company and a strong unit cost performance for which it must be given credit. Net debt fell by a hefty 31%. As for the future it believes that its unrivalled positioning and commodity diversification can create superior long term value for all stakeholders – until the next commodity slump that is but in the meantime enjoy the ride.
First Group FGP updates that reported revenue for the year to date rose by 10.7% but in constant currency terms that was reduced to 1.1%. Greyhounds long haul business was affected by intense airline competition. Even the weather with heavy snowstorms on the eastern sea board as far down as Florida, proved to be a challenge. Modest first half growth at Greyhound has turned into a decline of 0.4% for the year to date as the second half worsened with a 2.8% decline for the period from the end of September to January. At First Rail like for like passenger revenue rose by 3.2% both for the year to date and for the second half so far. TransPennine Express is described as producing industry leading growth which has got even stronger with the introduction of its new fleet in the autumn.
Bilby plc BILB Revenue and profitability for the year to the end of March will be ahead of current market expectations as the company continues to win new clients, new contracts and invitations from existing and long term customers to broaden the scope of work which it provides.Excellent customer service is regarded by the company as the clue to its success.
Gooch & Housego GHH is experiencing exceptional demand for critical components used in micro electric manufacturing, the order book as at the beginning of January stood at record levels with a rise of 48% compared to the same tie lasy year and put icing on the cake, overall market conditions are good.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC announces another period of strong sales growth for the half year to 31st December, with revenue, underlying EBITDA, profit before and after tax and earnings per share all rising by 15%. An interim dividend of 0.6p per share is to be paid following the maiden dividend of 1.6p at the year end in September. Mothers Day, Easter and Valentines Day results are all being looked forward to eagerly.
Inspirational Healthcare Group IHC has continued to perform strongly in the second half, as forecast the the half tear stage. Full year profit are expected to be in line.
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Corporate news review Wednesday 27th September 2017
boohoo.com BOO reports adjusted interim EBITDA up 68% at £27.8m on revenues up 106%. BOO has a strong balance sheet with net cash of £119.2m and raises FY guidance.
Defenx DFX reports increased H1 operating losses of €1.31m (1H16: €296,000) on revenues up 35% to €3.13m. DFX says there may be an adverse effect on revenues and profits in the short term, but remains confident that it has the right strategy to maximise revenues and profits in the medium and long term.
Entertainment One ETO anticipates FY financial performance will be in line with management expectations with a similar H1/H2 weighting to FY17. EBITDA is anticipated to be around 1.2x at the end of the FY18 financial year, in line with guidance given when the Group reported its FY17 full year results.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC reports FY revenues up 12% at £105.2m, with underlying EBITDA up 32% to £16.3m. PBT rose 100% to £11.2m driven by strong sales growth across retail, digital & corporate channels. Given the encouraging performance of retail and internet channels, along with the pipeline of opportunities ahead, the group are confident of further growth.
Halma HLMA says it has made good progress in line with expectations. Cash generation was good and the Group’s financial position remains strong.
PZ Cussons PZC says despite tough trading conditions in Q1 it remains on track to deliver full year growth in operating profits with performance underpinned by a robust and innovative product pipeline and tight control of costs.
Brand CEO Alan Green discusses Trifast (TRI) & Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) on the Vox Markets podcast
Brand CEO Alan Green discusses Trifast (TRI) & Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) with Justin Waite on the Vox Markets podcast. The interview is exactly 28 minutes in.
Metro Bank – Providing A Service, Does Pay
Metro Bank MTRO Cheeky little Metro Bank is giving the big bad banks a lesson in growth and has now moved into profit for each quarter of the second half. Profit before tax in quarter 3 was a tiny £0.6m, increasing to £1.5m in quarter 4. Losses for the full year shrank from £46.4m in 2015 to £11.7m. Asset growth came in at 64%, lending and deposit growth were both at record levels with rises 56% and 66% respectively, whilst revenue was up by 62%. Somebody must love its policy of actually trying to provide a service to its customers.
Barratt Developments BDEV Despite a fall of 5.8% in completions and revenue down by 3.2% in the six months to 31st December, Barratt claims it was a strong half year with profit before tax up by 8.8% and shareholders rewarded with a rise of 21.7% in the interim dividend. Total forward sales orders now stand at record levels after a rise of 17%. The one statistic which is omitted for some strange reason, is the increase in the average selling price. I wonder why.
Lloyds Banking Group LLOY is increasing its final ordinary dividend by 13% and maintaining last year’s special dividend of 0.5p meaning an overall rise for the year of 11%. Statutory 2016 profit before tax rose by 158% to £4.2b and earnings per share by 263%, whilst operating costs were reduced by 3%.
Gooch & Housego GHH good trading conditions during the first four months of the current financial year enabled GHH to see its order book up by 64.9% as at 31st January compared to last year, although on a like for like basis, excluding foreign exchange movements and acquisitions, the figure comes in at a more modest 19.4%. So far trading for the full year is expected to be in line but there does seem to be a hint of optimism in today’s trading update as a result of continuing good market conditions.
Hotel Chocolat HOTC produced strong growth in both sales and profitability in the 6 months to 25th December. Profit before tax rose by 28% on reported revenue up by 14% and the net cash position was transformed with a positive balance of £16.1m compared to debt of £1m at the end of the previous year.
Blue Prism Group PRSM now expects full year revenue will be materially ahead of current market expectations following the positive trading momentum evidenced at the end of last year, continuing into the current year.
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Headwinds and Challenges Impact Reckitt Benckiser
Travis Perkins TPK The real truth about the state of the UK economy is beginning to bite. With like for like third quarter sales growth falling to 2% and an uncertain UK outlook, TPK is to close over 30 branches and 10 distribution and fabrication centres. In addition challenging market conditions led to Plumbing & Heating sales falling by 3.9%, a performance which management regards as unsatisfactory. Like for like sales growth for the nine months of the year to date stands at 2.7% which adds emphasis to the 3rd quarter decline.
Reckitt Benckiser RB has been impacted by expected third quarter headwinds and other challenges which reduced the quarter’s like for like growth to 2% which became 17% if you take into account sterling devaluation. RB looks like yet another company whose day has been saved by the benefits provided by collapse of sterling. India and China produced strong growth but Brazil proved challenging. The target for full year like for like growth still remains at 4%.
Rentokil RTO is pleased with its 3rd quarter performance which produced like for like growth of 3.1%which was increased to 16.6% by contributions from acquisitions and compares to 2.7% for the year to date. Pest control had an excellent quarter with like for like growth of 5.9% whilst emerging markets shot up by 20.4% and growth markets by an even higher 26.3%. Europe on the other hand was tough in parts and particularly France.
Foxtons FOXT reduced activity in the London property sales market hit Foxtons hard in its third quarter with sales revenue down by a third. It believes that the London market remains very attractive and presents a huge opportunity for growth but it can not quite bring itself to provide any facts to justify its belief.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC which was admitted to AIM in May almost doubled last years statutory pre tax profit from £2.9m to £5.6m and expects a strong Christmas with what it describes as its “more cocoa, less sugar” policy.
OMG plc OMG expects revenues for the year to the end of September to reach £29m., ahead of market expectations after what it describes as a successful close to the year
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Galliford Try – Are Housebuilders Running Out Of Steam
Galliford Try GFRD expects record results for the year to 30th June which as a housebuilder, is only what one would expect. Underlying demand, the availability of mortgage finance and of course the governments Help to Buy Scheme all give cause, says the company, for continued confidence. Completions for the year rose by 11% from 2769 to 3,078 units However as with other house builders there are some warning signs on the horizon. Firstly the average private sales price rose by only 2% which is miniscule compared to what the housebuiders have been getting away with over the past few years. Secondly, which is more worrying, revenue secured for the new financial year is down to 82% from last years 88%.
ASOS plc ASC has enjoyed strong retail sales growth during the four months to the 30th June. Even the UK has been strong with a rise of 28%. International retail sales slightly beat that with a rise of 30%, the US leading the way with a jump of 53%.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals DPH saw strong trading in the year to the end of June with like for like revenue growth of 11%. Overll growth including acquisitions, came out at 21%. Dechra is one of the few company’s to describe the collapse of sterling as a currency headwind but it claims this has impacted growth by 3%. North America produced excellent results with growth of 37%.
Hotel Chocolat Group HOTC which launched on Aim in May, saw revenue for the year to 26th June slightly ahead of market expectations with a rise of 12% whilst digital rvenues were up by 20%.
Rhythm One plc RTHM expects first quarter trading to the end of June to be materially ahead of management expectations. A return to full year profitability is expected in 2017.
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Brand CEO Alan Green talks IMC Exploration (IMCP), Andalas Energy (ADL), Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) & Brexit on the VOX Markets podcast
Brand CEO Alan Green talks IMC Exploration (IMCP), Andalas Energy (ADL), Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) & Brexit with Justin Waite on the VOX Markets podcast.
The interview is 18 minutes 45 seconds in. Link here to listen.