anyone in this one or did they miss this and GOAL too that double this one will do the same given some momentum and exposure first set of results due september
wont be 50p by then IMHO will be at least 50% above and poss 100p by xmas

Powerleague profits surge since April float

ALASTAIR REED


POWERLEAGUE, the Paisley-based five-a-side football operator, yesterday posted a 14 per cent surge in sales and promised there was more to come as it continues to roll out its ambitious expansion plans.

In its first set of results since it floated on AIM in May, Powerleague posted profits of 2.6 million on revenues of 17.5m for the year ending 2 July. Operating profits more than doubled to 4.3m, while cash generation jumped from 4.1m to 5.3m.


The group is the largest five-a-side football centre outfit in the country, with 335 pitches, and has the potential to add 100 sites in the UK and the rest of Europe, said chief executive Sean Tracey.

"There are a significant number of opportunities for more and larger sites," he said. "While most major cities in the UK are now covered by ourselves or our competitors, there are many smaller conurbations that simply aren't. And our policy has always been one size does not fit all - so we're always looking."

During the year Powerleague opened five new sites, including one in Kilmarnock, taking its presence in Scotland to seven. It has since opened another site and plans to open another five this financial year.

"The opportunities are certainly there, especially in a World Cup year, which should boost participation," Tracey said. "But we will pursue a measured and sensible approach to expansion, and not go at it too aggressively."

Vida Sports, the chain set up by Rangers FC chairman David Murray, went into administration in February after an over-aggressive expansion plan, combined with poor research on the location of its sites. Powerleague cherry-picked four of the sites and, according to Tracey, all are now open and operating profitably.

While Powerleague currently earns about 72 per cent of sales from pitch income, it is also taking advantage of the 80,000 people coming through its doors each week by cashing in on lucrative sponsorship opportunities.

It recently extended its headline deal with Xbox by three years, and yesterday announced a new deal with Nike that will see the global sports giant provide footballs for all the centres.

Evolution analyst Robin Chhabra said the results were in line with expectations, adding that the stock should provide a good defence against a continued economic slowdown. Chhabra has a "buy" rating on the stock, with a 85p price target. The shares closed up 1.5 per cent at 66p.

Surprised no one's following this one - recommended by Tom Bulford in RHPS.

Results out on Tuesday seem to be pretty good and in line with expectations but the markets taken agin them and dropped back nearly 6% to 70p at today's close.

Half year net profits of 976k and EPS of 1.19p suggest we should be heading for 2,860k and 3.5p respectively for full year after the seasonally better Jan-Jun period. I make that a PE of 20 at today's price - not obscene for a growth operation. Difficult to get a true growth comparison, but I'm using 51%, making a PEG of 0.39 - not unrespectable.

I like the story and the fact that the world cup is going to kick off in June, encouraging all sorts to doin their boots and act out their fantasies for real. Also the sponsorship tie ups are impressive - a useful revenue stream which also serves to greatly boost their image, already quite shiny from the good partnership they appear to foster with local authorities and schools.

Artemis hold 9.66% and Goldman Sachs 3.97% at last count. Director Simon Bentley holds a modest 10,000.

If the price drops back anymore these must be worth a punt. Anyone out there holding any? Any views to share?

sd

Powerleague Group reported a 56% jump in full-year pretax profit on higher turnover.

The company said it has continued to trade in line with expectations since the year-end.

The commercial operator of five-a-side football centres in the UK posted a pretax profit of 4.96m for the year to end June compared with 3.23m previously. Total sales rose 12% to 23.03m.

The company has proposed a final dividend of 1.1p compared with 0.75p per share.

Looking ahead, the company said the current pipeline of sites within the portfolio remains strong with new opportunities being targeted within under-provided locations. price 101/103p

WILL NOW START TO GO UP.

WILL or may!!! :o)
Director selling was the kiss of death for this stock recently, but may turnaround.

Shares Mag July 17th reports Chairman and Chief Exec are " snappinng up shares " as they believe it is now undervalued, dyor.

Harrycat - any view right now?

When stocks turn around, this isn't going to be one of the first, imo. I have no idea where the bottom is, so if that's what you're asking, maybe best to buy in small amounts & then get yourself an average price over a period of time.
There are a couple of competitors in this field, plus there is no guarantee that it is recession proof. Footy is 5.50 per hour per person. Will the numbers drop when the bad weather & Xmas are here, or when inflation bites? Too high risk for me at the moment.

NOW 27P TO BUY.

So?

Recent boost is "hope" IMHO - backed up by a Broker Note ( don't we love 'em) and Director buying.(oNu-mum-er). . . . Shares bought today are worth 11k, so the 17% price hike is unjustified (DYOR).
So, the reason for this activity appears to be that they've fallen so far - they can't fall further ( and competitors appear to be trading much higher).
Er, so there we are....surely the time this will become "interesting" is when the season is over ( and Results out) and maybe some Hype caused by England winning something, thereby encouraging youngsters etc.
I thought this had fallen so much because it was relativly new and had "lots" to proove...etc.

Does anyone here, have children that use these facilities?