ASOS have dropped quite significantly in the past week for no particular reason and I view this as the perfect opportunity to invest as I can see them bouncing right back up to the 5.50p mark in the next 2-3 weeks. STRONG BUY!!

Still progressing nicely (have said that on the AZM thread as well). Ramp up could continue through to year end. Last year there was a trading update on 3rd March with prediction or year to 31st March so may get the same again. I feel that the interest now is longer term investment but there could be a good ride for short-termers as well; basically part of an analyst revaluation.

Eric

sd My system is playing funny buggers, so I didn't have your post when I did mine. I am riding the rise; i.e. in my parlance, piggy-backing CFDs as with AZM. The key event is the forecast of final figures together with projections of the year from 1st April. Anticipation of this is, I beleive, causing the re-rating. Brokers were looking for 2.25M PBT this year which I expect will be beaten as sales were up 86% at half-time (there were exceptional costs at half-time which held matters back). The fire will have affected sales but not pbt. But, having consolidated, it is the next growth step which will be fascinating: US? Europe; range development. NEXT is the other major but are bound to be cautious because of the impact on High Street sales. I am looking for a steady rise, perhaps to 120p. to keep projected pe at around the 30 mark. I propose to accumulate up to something over 1. I suppose the other thing for a chartist is to watch the momentum chart.

Good luck, Eric

Where on earth are the ASC backers? How could this one be missed? See also the AZM thread!

Eric

I've got him on the list . . . (W.S.Gilbert)
sd

I'm still in, have been for a couple of years now. Decided to keep off the thread when idiots were slagging the share following the fire etc.

i didnt keep off and told them how it was, now were being rewarded, patience is a virtue!!

ASC has risen 44% or 30p over 34 trading days since beginning of January. Even with out the Buncefield explosion this would have been 30% or 23p from an approximate 75p base.

Perhaps, that's what they mean by penny stocks - ones that rise 1p a day with no fuss.

Apart from Griffiths' and Curries's non-exec holdings totalling about 11.58% and Fidelity's recently increased holding of about 13.13%, what other major holdings is anyone aware of, please?

I guess we're heading for a trading statement around end of March/beginning of April when we should know what the insurance settlement has meant for us and be able to gauge continuing prospects of sales growth.

A pleasure to hold.

sd

sd Last year there was a trading statement on 3rd March, I think. This gave an estimate for the year end position but pointed out that strong post Christmas sales had compounded the warehosue problems, also advising that a new warehouse had been acquired. So there was some point in issuing a statement. It has set a precedent and I think we could look for a repoirt, paricularly as progress post-fire is newsworthy.

Not up to speed on holdings, other than my own (!). But the continuing accumulation by Fidelity is, I believe, significant. They have huge confidence in the company and this is not just short term but almost certainly medium term investments for their funds.

Eric

hurrrray! just hit 1 bid price, next stop????

let me tell you a secret gold oil plc
http://www.goldoilplc.com

wrong thread son, very annoying!!

Kivver: there isn't any resistance price ahead as we are in new ground. Significant points about ASC: (a) the internet market is expanding rapidly taking sales from the High Street; (b) fashion is a key area for buying by the internet, particularly for the professional lady; (c) ASOS have their own niche in a niche market and have essentially become a 'brand' themselves; (d) they have expansion options including expanding their product range, their target markets in the UK, overseas markets; (e) costs of expansion are low compared to a Hight St retailer. I can't see any reason why their sales and pbt shoul not increase by 50% p.a. for the foreseeanle future. In other words, you can just tuck these away and enjoy a long-term ascent.

Eric

Excellent news - 1.00 may give these shares more visibility with the institutions (not that it's needed currently what with Fidelity's 13% holding and, I assume others). Anyway, breaking above the previous 91.5p peak and the 100p psychological barrier in short order gives the shares great momentum. I anticipate the usual sell on results (top up op.?) when the prelims are announced unless they are spectacular, but otherwise, as you say, happy to keep holding whilst they do all the work.

sd

A couple of good indicators. First, the traffic volume is holding up well and giving NEXT a run for their money. Second, not only is the website looking more impessive but you have to register to access it giving ASOS a significant increase in new registrations. Mind, I'm unlikely to buy myself, unless my alter ego has a hay day - but I'll get the daughters to have a peek.

sd: If I am right, there will be a trading update early March reflecting management accounts for the year to end-March. This will keep interest up with buying ahead of expansion announcements with Prelims. Onward and upward from here; just like Narnia.

Eric

Looking at today's trades it seems clear that the 250,000 trade and both 100,000 trades are buys, probably institutional. Essentially, in a period without news, the share is being re-rated by the institutions. The cap. is of a size to bring it onto their radar and the year-end serves the purpose of bringing another year onto their projections. Even if year on year slows down it is likely to remain above 50% for some time: we may be able to take a better view with the results. Some will say that they shouldn't chase the price up; I would reply that it is much better to buy into a rising trend than a falling one. How do you see it, oh WOD, sd.

Eric

101 pounds (OK pence) of fun
That's my little honey bun
How about some fun with me
Tonight!

WDADK

sd

sd Iam on wrong thread, but it does look interesting. what do get for 101p???!!!??

1 share in ASC

It amazes me! 2004 - ASOS is share of the year; 2005 - retreats onback of short-term hiccough. 2006 - No 6 in Shares 100 'Rockets' and the silence is deafening. Doesn't say much for the share watchers here. How often does it happen: retreat, out of the limelight, continued good progress, no one there when teh breakthrough comes!

Salient points from Shares. "Growth in net-based retailing should ensure the company can continue to grow very rapidly over the next 4-5 years. [Invetsec opinion] ... profits will grow to 2.5m in 05/06 and then to 4.4m and 6.2m. Earnings, currently inflated by a nil tax charge, are expected to grow to 2.5p per share followed by 4.4p and then 5.5p. Although the shares have been a strong market, they should remain firm."

5.5p gives a forward pe of around 19 which is demanding. But note the point re a 5 year free run. And that is organic earnings without expansion into new markets: US must be very attractive with relatively low entry costs. May pause around 120p!

Eric

Hi Eric
I'm still here since 62p when I first tried a CFD...frightened some of the life out of me!! But I am learning, still.
Ruthie
PS Doing very nicely on CHP at present, thank you.
R