II Editor
25 Jun 2017
NEW ARTICLE: Trends and Targets for 26/06/2017 " FTSE THIS WEEK (FTSE:UKX) As we rush headlong toward the mental fog which usually signifies July & August, the FTSE appeared take a deep breath in preparation for its summer hiatus. Or in other words, it feels like the market is about to ..."[link]
II Editor
09 Jun 2017
NEW ARTICLE: Stockwatch: Do director deals indicate long-term upside here? "Is an upgrade from 150p to 165p for LSE:FGP:FirstGroup worth chasing? Broker Liberum Capital has just raised its target for the FTSE 250 transport firm as its market price slips to 139p, having hit 153p around the 1 June prelims.On a medium-term ..."[link]
nk1999
03 Jun 2017
IC View FirstGroup benefits from North American businessThe transport operator's North American school bus business beat expectations, but coach service Greyhound suffered on the low oil price---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----"FirstGroup benefits from North American businessNorth America was star performer for transport operator FirstGroup (FGP) last year. School bus brand First Student managed to put through average price increases of 7.3 per cent - even for contracts due to expire - and still clocked a 93 per cent retention rate across the board. Retention rates also held up at 80 per cent for those contracts close to termination. Margins at First Student also beat expectations at 9.6 per cent, up from 7.2 per cent last year, while the Brexit-induced weak sterling created a favourable exchange rate for the translation of North American profits, adding £30.7m to the group's overall operating line. However, this was partially offset by an additional £19.8m-worth of costs from more expensive dollar-denominated fuel prices......"
pyueck
02 Jun 2017
Re: info I like my dividends as much as the next, but I don't think they are in the interest of Firstgroup's shareholders at present. The company has only this year had a decent inflow of cash and still has a lot of very expensive debt that will be refinanced starting from next year, hopefully at lower rates. For me the company needs to have its balance sheet in as good a position as possible during refinancing to a) get decent rates and b) to pay down the debt. This in my opinion will deliver much more value to shareholders long term than paying huge dividends, having a shaky balance sheet and being lumbered with more debt at 8%.Yes I have thought for a while that dividends will restart at the end of 16/17 (look back at my posts if you don't believe me!) but I have changed my mind. I don't mind waiting a few more years and then I think the cashflow coming from the group could be pretty impressive.However.....if one looks at the business there is a strong argument that the US business, which now makes up the big bulk of profits, should be carved off. I think, although I admit I am no expert, that it would be worth more as a standalone IPO in the US than as part of FGP in the UK.
raptor66
02 Jun 2017
Re: info FirstGroup dividend disappointmentShore Capital is disappointed at the lack of a dividend from FirstGroup (FGP), which it believes is ‘now overdue’.The train and bus operator hasn’t paid a dividend since 2013 when it embarked on a long-running turnaround plan. This includes attempts to reduce its debt, following its 2007 acquisition of US bus group Laidlaw.Shore Capital welcomed its full-year results, which exceeded expectations in all divisions apart from its UK bus arm. FirstGroup's shares were down 4.5% at 141.2p on Thursday's close.‘FirstGroup’s demise post the ill-thought-out and poorly structured Laidlaw acquisition took a number of years to play out. For a multitude of understandable and forecastable reasons the turnaround and reinvigoration of the company has also taken a number of years,’ said Shore Capital analyst Martin Brown.‘We believe it is now evident that this process is delivering positive results, albeit the performance in UK bus remains woeful. We have long heralded [the year ending March 2017] as the inflection point in earnings and most importantly cashflow, we believe today’s results support this view.’
forwardloop
01 Jun 2017
info [link]
theprior
20 May 2017
Re: BBC I hardly think two posts in a month is constant bombardment. I am merely pointing out yet another BBC report about alleged driver inattention has occurred and that there is a solution readily available. As far as I am aware it is the only solution on the market which deals effectively with this problem. If anyone knows of another product let them come forward.I only have a small shareholding in the company so personal gain is not on my agenda. I just fail to see why TfL do not insist on driver monitoring devices being fitted to all HUMAN CONTROLLED (NB! 
)) vehicles. Problem solved....simple.(No doubt pyneck will want to have another dig)TP
Norman Barrington
19 May 2017
Re: BBC OK Pyueck I just noticed a busy 24th-26th April on the board! Now I know why you were a bit prickly. But I am sorry, I cannot think of any reason other than cost, as to why there is no overspeed device fitted to cope with the likes of those dangerous curves, and to show my ignorance I don't know who is responsible for that specific track, whether it's FGP, TfL or indeed Railtrack.Where hybrid routes are created from previous BR track plus new infrastructure including tight curves (also seen on DLR such as the southern approach to Stratford) companies MUST be vigilant where lighter vehicles with different characteristics to traditional rolling stock are employed. Especially as it seems it is getting harder to find vigilant/diligent drivers.It may well be drivers, who have been partying or suchlike, are falling asleep in the cab, but FGP have to take responsibility for ensuring there are safety fall backs in place. Following the Moorgate disaster, fail safe devices were fitted to London Underground, so unexplained crashes like that cannot occur. But with that foreknowledge, one must not wait until a serious crash before doing something to prevent it on a new service. All the needed knowhow is available already. If FGP do enjoy a good safety record, luck must not play a part.
pyueck
19 May 2017
Re: BBC Norman - my comment was aimed the theprior, see previous posts.I agree the incident is not good and a review is certainly required to prevent incidents like last year repeating. I don't agree FGP has a culture of profit before safety, their safety record is excellent, although of course that is no comfort to those involved or mean lessons can't be learned.What I object to is a layman on an investment forum saying which product fgp should buy to improve safety and arguing if they don't buy it the management don't care about safety. This is especially when the person has a financial interest in the company behind the product.
Norman Barrington
19 May 2017
Re: BBC Not sure whom pyueck is taking aim at. I hold both FGP & SGC and have no idea who provides infrastructure for DLR. I am simply saying that overspeed and over-run avoidance has been available for over 50 years now. I have never mentioned this subject before, nor do I have any related investments. I just don't want companies I personally invest in putting profits before safety, nor do I want passengers killed unnecessarily. That the public have to send in videos of FGP employees - ASLEEP FOR GOODNESS SAKE - at the controls AFTER the previous disaster is an indictment of FGP safety.
pyueck
19 May 2017
Re: BBC As I have said before, FGP has an excellent safety record and I have full confidence that the management team are treating this incident with the utmost importance. Of course this was a tragedy for those involved and lessons will be learnt. As you are aware there is an ongoing investigation into the incident.You are entitled to your opinion that the system you favour would be right for the Croydon trams. I have no idea, and I would suggest that one should wait for the outcome of the investigation before prejudging what further safety changes should be considered or which brand of product should be procured.You should also be clear that you have shares in the companies whose equipment you are promoting.While I am sure everybody would agree that we would like safety to be improved as much as possible, I am not sure what you are trying to achieve by this constant promotion of a product with which you have a financial interest to FGP. I can assure you if you think your efforts will have any impact on making FGP purchase it, and therefore drive up your shares, then you are mistaken. If anything I highly suspect the company would not be happy with your promoting their products to potential customers without their authorisation.
Norman Barrington
19 May 2017
Re: BBC <<Another example of the need for driver monitoring equipment to be fitted to all public service vehicles ???>>DLR trams are driverless, all speeds and stops computer controlled, with physical train restraint for overspeed or over-run. No collisions or derailments since first tram ran on August 31, 1987 that's 30 years ago this technology was installed! Surely there is no excuse in 2017 with a combination of tech AND driver for this sort of thing?Meanwhile FGP's SP is SLOWLY creeping up, and has outshone SGC's SP - although the latter is paying a dividend.
theprior
19 May 2017
BBC Just heard a news report of a driver being filmed asleep at the controls of a tram in South London.Another example of the need for driver monitoring equipment to be fitted to all public service vehicles ???Wake up, pleaseTP
HamptonCaught
10 May 2017
Well I never. Managed to get out of First Group with a modest profit. I honestly never thought I'd see the day.
theprior
27 Apr 2017
Re: Don't know if... Well, you seem to be determined to have the last word. And, as we are now going round in circles, I'll leave it there. I've done my bit and emailed the company. They've not replied yet, btw.Regards, TP
