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!!

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

And I'm still here Eric as stated a couple of weeks ago. And it's good to see that all the de-rampers like Dil etc have disappeared with their tails between their legs since the SP has gone from strength to strength since the fire.

Tail still wagging high - whoops, mind your coffee on that low table!

sd

eric - i agree with you, while wolfson (wlf) was shooting up at incredible rate i was posting every other day and was joined by only couple of others. Yet shares that were going nowhere (ie dmr, yoo) were attracting and incredible amount of attention. All i can say its their loss and our gain. I know the posters i like to follow and trust and it has helped me make some great buys. Eric if you get time it would be great if you could have a look at Corus cs. and Morrisons mrw 2 the others i really like for future, reasonably safe growth. Also share your thoughts on azm (rising nicely now). Another great one for me has been kmr and more to go i think. Sorry asc posters in this big time too, but now need to watch closely.

Thanks Kivver: I'll have a look at suggestions. I am taking quite a risky strategy in principle. Started with 10K in a CFD fund on 1st Feb split between AZM, ASC and SEO. SEO seems set to join the other's uptrend and the fund is up 4.6K, using margin to top up holdings. Its a bold strategy and depends on catching an uptrend; and the spread does spread the risk. Great to see the loyal ones are sharing the fun!

Eric

Talking about low tables, Honey has smashed two wine glasses in the last couple of days with her tail. Wouldn't have minded so much but it was a first class Jacobs Creek Grenache Shiraz! She has no discrimination.

ASC paused for breath. Heady times this week with DGT and AZM so expecting action next week please. How about a progress report on trading. Last time I looked the traffic was pretty good and the site is now first class; had to register to visit which is sensible but asked for no brochures, not wanting to appear kinky. I notice they do not have a section for dogs which is a major oversight, don't you think!

Interesting that it has paused horizontally with no retracement whilst there were 177k in sizeable sells to 5k piddling buys today. Seems like MMs are happy to take on stock - before the next leg up (sorry about the doggy talk)?

sd