Results out soon in August.

Broker recos look very bullish and why not on a P/E of just over 6 to 2011.....

Thomas Cook Group PLC

FORECASTS 2010 2011
Date Rec Pre-tax (�) EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax (�) EPS (p) DPS (p)

Panmure Gordon
02-08-10 BUY 319.00 27.10 11.30 338.00 28.70 12.40

Exane BNP Paribas
02-08-10 BUY 116.00 26.62 10.75 319.00 28.87 11.66

Numis Securities Ltd
02-08-10 ADD 324.20 27.60 11.25 357.10 29.90 11.81

Oriel Securities
02-08-10 BUY 330.40 28.40 11.40 363.50 31.30 12.10

KBC Peel Hunt Ltd
30-07-10 BUY 301.06 25.22 10.75 313.36 26.23 10.93

WestLB
30-07-10 SELL 28.81 11.52 29.91 11.96

Shore Capital
30-07-10 HOLD 312.00 26.50 11.80 347.00 29.50 13.00

Charles Stanley Securities
15-06-10 HOLD

Evolution Securities Ltd
11-02-10 None

Investec Securities [R]
09-02-10 BUY 327.00 27.30 11.74 352.23 29.39 12.49

Fyshe Horton Finney Ltd
25-01-10 BUY

Collins Stewart
24-12-09 BUY

Nomura Research Institute
25-09-09 RED

2010 2011
Pre-tax (�) EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax (�) EPS (p) DPS (p)

Consensus 316.42 26.98 11.36 342.50 29.39 11.96

1 Month Change 1.07 -0.22 0.01 3.43 -0.14 -0.14
3 Month Change -11.92 -1.09 -0.05 -11.79 -1.00 -0.44


GROWTH
2009 (A) 2010 (E) 2011 (E)

Norm. EPS 2.76% 0.38% 8.92%
DPS 14.03% 10.80% 5.26%

INVESTMENT RATIOS
2009 (A) 2010 (E) 2011 (E)

EBITDA �574.90m �589.69m �613.90m
EBIT �372.50m �420.55m �447.05m
Dividend Yield 5.38% 5.96% 6.27%
Dividend Cover 2.62x 2.38x 2.46x
PER 7.10x 7.07x 6.49x
PEG 2.57f 18.55f 0.73f
Net Asset Value PS -240.80p 224.47p 240.43p

Beginning to warm up before the results next Wednesday. Chart turning bullish. Shorters running for cover?

Fasten the seat belts, we're on an early morning flight!

Investec just raised the target price from 25p to 40p ahead of the results on Wednesday.

Not invested here but have taken a keen interest in this company as I would like it to turn around.

In the Financial Mail this Sunday - Thomas Cook chief executive Harriet Green is to outline this week how she plans to turn around the tour operator, when the firm announces that its losses have widened to an estimated £414.3 million.
City analysts expect Thomas Cook to say that its full-year pre-tax losses have widened from £398.2 million due to reorganisation costs, tough trading conditions and one of charges against its North American and Western European divisions. It also suffered disappointing sales of its Olympic Games packages.
It is understood that the key themes Green will expand upon are the need to control costs and improve customer service and the steps the company will take to increase its online sales.
Thomas Cook has been struggling with its high debts and the tough trading enviroment. Last December it received a £200 million emergency loan from its lenders.

Going to be interesting to see how the markets react on Wednesday. Panmure Gordon values this share at 7p and Investec says 40p. Bears say the company is going down the plughole and the bulls say the company is on the road to recovery.

Could go either way, but I suppose it depends on what realistic expectations are. Surely no one is expecting a great deal, so possibly better to be long than short? Not happy to be in, but watching with interest.

Final Results

Net debt reduced through asset disposals and working capital management:

- Net debt reduced by £103m (from £891m to £788m);

- Liquidity headroom at circa £1bn, £160m higher than prior year;

· Gross profit of £2.1bn, with resilient gross margin despite input cost pressures; underlying profit from operations 49% lower at £156m, in line with expectations but significantly impacted by £110m in higher fuel costs;

· Fourth quarter financial performance in line with the same period last year, reflecting a significant improvement on the first three quarters of the year;

· Loss for the year of £590m, including previously disclosed goodwill and other write-downs of £369m and business repositioning costs of £81m;

· Good current trading, with Summer 12 ending strongly and Winter 12/13 trading off to a good start in our major markets, with bookings ahead of committed capacity and improvements in pricing; our capacity strategy will reduce operating risk in an uncertain consumer environment as the Group implements its Business Transformation;

· Building on a stable platform, the Business Transformation has begun and is focused on:

- Changes in organisational structure and key management in order to break down historic silos, energise our people and implement cultural change;

- Driving efficiency through global procurement, centralised hotel purchasing and consolidation to reduce fixed and overhead costs and improve working capital: over £100m of annual cost benefits and £50m of incremental working capital improvements already identified and significant further opportunities to come; and

- Developing an online centre of excellence with powerful channels tailored to local markets by leveraging the latest technology to deliver true omni-channel distribution.



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4492788

RNS Number : 1581S

28 November 2012

Thomas Cook Group plc

Audited results for the year ended 30 September 2012

NET DEBT REDUCED

BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION UNDERWAY

NEW FOCUS ON EFFICIENCIES AND RIGOROUS EXECUTION

Year ended 30/09/12 Year ended 30/09/11
GBPm (unless otherwise stated) Underlying Statutory Underlying Statutory


Revenue 9,491 9,491 9,809 9,809
Gross profit 2,070 2,075 2,160 2,098
Profit/(loss) from operations(1) 156 (319) 304 (267)
(Loss)/profit for the year (37) (590) 103 (518)
(Loss)/earnings per share (p) (3.7) (67.2) 11.7 (60.7)
Net debt 788 788 891 891

------------------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------

(1) Underlying profit from operations is considered by management to give a fairer view of the year on year comparison of trading performance and is defined as earnings before interest and tax, excluding all separately disclosed items. It also excludes our share of the results of associates and joint venture and net investment income.


-- Net debt reduced through asset disposals and working capital management:

- Net debt reduced by GBP103m (from GBP891m to GBP788m);

- Liquidity headroom at circa GBP1bn, GBP160m higher than prior year;

-- Gross profit of GBP2.1bn, with resilient gross margin despite input cost pressures; underlying profit from operations 49% lower at GBP156m, in line with expectations but significantly impacted by GBP110m in higher fuel costs;

-- Fourth quarter financial performance in line with the same period last year, reflecting a significant improvement on the first three quarters of the year;

-- Loss for the year of GBP590m, including previously disclosed goodwill and other write-downs of GBP369m and business repositioning costs of GBP81m;

-- Good current trading, with Summer 12 ending strongly and Winter 12/13 trading off to a good start in our major markets, with bookings ahead of committed capacity and improvements in pricing; our capacity strategy will reduce operating risk in an uncertain consumer environment as the Group implements its Business Transformation;
-- Building on a stable platform, the Business Transformation has begun and is focused on:
- Changes in organisational structure and key management in order to break down historic silos, energise our people and implement cultural change;

- Driving efficiency through global procurement, centralised hotel purchasing and consolidation to reduce fixed and overhead costs and improve working capital: over GBP100m of annual cost benefits and GBP50m of incremental working capital improvements already identified and significant further opportunities to come; and

- Developing an online centre of excellence with powerful channels tailored to local markets by leveraging the latest technology to deliver true omni-channel distribution.

Harriet Green, Group Chief Executive, Thomas Cook Group plc said:

"In 2012 over 23 million customers enjoyed their holidays with us, 50% of whom went on an independent or flexible holiday. Through building on our core product strengths to further improve our proposition with new and different products, we have a significant opportunity to unlock the full potential of our brands and attract more customers. As we develop our Business Transformation plans we will continue to place our customers and employees at the very centre of our business. Through leveraging existing best practice and by focusing on efficiency, harnessing the power of technology and delivering on our commitments we are addressing the most immediate challenges facing the Group and creating a platform for future growth.

"These results reflect the major issues that Thomas Cook faced last year, but they mask the material improvement that we made in the fourth quarter. Our brand has demonstrated its strength by recovering all the ground lost during last year's difficulties and we have identified significant further efficiency improvements. The year ahead is the initial stage in this recovery and as we embark upon our first year of Business Transformation, we are optimistic about the future and look forward to updating you on our full plans and additional financial benefits in the spring of 2013."

Director buy ( Harriet Green) 500,000 at 23p.

City praises Thomas Cook CEO's 'aggressive start'


Thomas Cook's new group chief executive Harriet Green appears to have done enough to satisfy the City that she is capable of rescuing the beleaguered tour operation since she took to the helm four months ago.


Although the group today announced a further loss of £590m in the financial year to the end of September, analysts welcomed Green's 'suitably aggressive start' after she revealed strong current trading and outlined a further £100m of cost cuts (see earlier story).


Nomura said investors should be reassured by the three elements of the 'Business Transformation' that Green revealed today, which included the additional cost savings, management changes and improvements to product and distribution channels.


It said winter trading was encouraging, especially as prices are up 5% year on year and sales are ahead of the significant capacity cuts.


"Overall, an encouraging start for the new CEO," added Matt Smith, managing director of analysts Morgan Stanley. "For those looking for self help stories in 2013, Thomas Cook should be on the radar here."


However, Smith suggested that Thomas Cook would still need to raise more equity, but went on, "if management can continue to restructure the cost base, and capacity in the market remains tight, the shares still have significant upside potential."


A third analyst, Investec, said: "With net debt down to more manageable levels (it was reduced 12% year on year), and a supportive banking syndicate, we think Thomas Cook now has the platform and management to deliver the required cost and business changes to thrive."


By Linsey McNeill


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

More directors buys announced this morning;

Meysman 100k @ 24.573
Verluyten 100k @ 23
Debus 100k @ 23
Fankhauser 170k @ 23.25

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/news/thomas-cook-marketer-outlines-5m-campaign-strategy/4004965.article

JP Morgan Cazenove Neutral 26.00 26.00 20.00 30.00 Retains

UBS Neutral 26.00p 17.00p 24.00p Reiteration

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2012/12/03/42447/opinion+thomas+cook+is+a+christmas+cracker.html

Thomas Cook unveils new UK management team



Peter Fankhauser has finally unveiled his new Thomas Cook management team after a series of changes and departures.

The final stage of the shake-up sees the departure of chief people officer and global head of destination management Pete Constanti, who will leave the business at the end of December after 21 years with the company.


"Today marks the next step in the transformation of the UK business," said Fankhauser.

"A new leadership team, focused on the UK and taking on new and enlarged roles, will unite our teams.

"Together with our colleagues, we will bring together the strengths of what was formerly our mainstream and independent businesses, working more effectively and increasing our focus on the customer."

The new team is:

- Uli Sperl, who joins from Thomas Cook AG as product and yield director and is now responsible for all of the company's UK-based tour operations and wider leisure travel products. Thomas Cook says: "He will develop a strategy that focuses on brand management, target segments, product planning and development."

- Newly-appointed Mike Hoban will take an expanded role as marketing, sales and ecommerce director. Thomas Cook says: "He will now be responsible for the multi-channel marketing strategy across the UK businesses, optimising our cross-channel marketing strategy and for driving improvements in channel performance and conversion. His focus will be on creating the optimum multi-channel business model to fully understand and meet our customer needs and drive the right business behaviours to deliver."

- David Taylor will become chief financial officer, UK & Ireland. Thomas Cook says: "Formerly transformation director, he will continue with this agenda as part of his expanded CFO remit, and Alistair Brass will join his team as director of transformation. Brass joins in the New Year from Dixons Retail Group."

- Haim Perry, currently responsible for Hotels4U, is now Thomas Cook UK's hotel purchasing director. He will lead a single hotel purchasing function responsible for leveraging the scale of the whole UK business.

- Joanna Wild is retail director to lead all the Thomas Cook Co-operative Travel operations.

- Reinhard Eschbach, Group CIO, is already leading the IT agenda in the UK, with particular focus on tour operator and back office systems.

- A new role of service and quality director, yet to be appointed, has been created to focus on all touch points in the customer journey. Thomas Cook said a recruitment process is underway to fill this important new role.

Fankhauser will also be closely supported by Anne Billson-Ross, HR director and Bronwen Griffiths-Barrasso, director of PR whose roles will now be fully focused on the UK.



Monday, December 3, 2012

12 Holidays of Christmas

Thomas Cook (LSE:TCG)


Today : Tuesday 4 December 2012


LONDON, December 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Forget the partridges - what everyone really wants their true love to send them this Christmas is a romantic getaway abroad. The travel experts at Thomas Cook have compiled the 12 holidays of Christmas, showcasing the best last-minute holiday deals available for this festive season:

1. A canary in a palm tree

One of the largest and most spectacular of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is the perfect holiday location to escape the festive season madness.

2. Two turtles swimming - Florida

In fact you'll see a lot more than just two turtles swimming in Florida, with sea turtles making up just a fraction of the incredible wildlife on show in this American paradise.

3. Three nights in France

Forget the hens and pop over to the continent to sample French cuisine on a fantastic mini-break.

4. A Med cruise calling at four ports (or 5 or 6 if you like)

With the outstanding winter deals you can cruise the Med for less this winter.

5. Five golden rings: Italy

Five golden rings of delicious pizza crust that is! Few other countries are as synonymous with food as Italy so when it comes to booking your next culinary tour you need look no further than Italy holidays 2013.

6. Six goose-down duvets

To stay warm anyway you like with a winter ski escape to Italy or France.

7. Seven spots for swimming: Portugal

That's what you'll get and more on a getaway in the Algarve. Discover winter holidays Portugal style, which are all about sunshine and clear skies.

8. Eight maids-a-milking: Swiss explorer

Forget the maids-a-milking and head to a country that knows how to put dairy to good use. Switzerland is famous for its delicious selection of cheeses and chocolates and looks especially magical during the winter.

9. Nine ladies dancing: Cancun

Cancun in Mexico joins the ranks of Ibiza and Las Vegas as a destination that truly knows how to party. Combine pristine beaches, world-class DJs and plenty of revellers looking to enjoy themselves and you have one potent New Year's Eve cocktail.

10. Ten Lords a-leaping: Royal Denmark

Step aside, Prince William; one European country that knows how to do royalty is Denmark. It's also the perfect location for a Christmas getaway, with stunning festive decorations and Christmas markets found throughout the city.

11. Eleven pipers piping: Prague

Discover the charm and beauty of the Christmas Markets in Prague, with traditional folk music, mulled wine and traditional pastries all on offer.

12. Twelve drummers drumming: Barcelona

Twelve drummers should give you plenty of rhythm to keep salsa dancing on a city break in Barcelona, so make sensational Spain one of your holiday choices this winter.

SOURCE Thomas Cook

Copyright 2012 PR Newswire

27p close.

0718 GMT [Dow Jones] Credit Suisse initiates Thomas Cook Group (TCG.LN) at outperform with a 36p target. Highlights several factors in its initiation including the company's renewed focus on cash generation, signs of package holiday stability, reduced growth amongst low-cost carriers and a 20% free cash flow yield. Says GBP£180M turnaround/savings targets support FY 2013 and FY 2014 Ebit recovery with a GBP50M working capital target set to drive positive free cash flow. Thomas Cook shares closed at 27p.

Thomas Cook's new flagship store: More 'Apple' than 'travel'


Thomas Cook UK has unveiled a new flagship concept store in Leeds, which it plans to roll out to other cities if it proves successful in the peak holiday booking period from January to March.


The travel giant said the store, in Leed's White Rose shopping centre marked the first phase in its store evolution project and showcased what high street agents could look like in the future.


The new 130 square metre store enables customers to research and book their holiday directly with one of 25 travel consultants at a newly-installed "advice bar" or online using an inst-store tablets.


Ambient music and video content will be streamed throughout the store. In a statement, Thomas Cook said: "The store concept is designed to create an environment that encourages greater customer interaction and allows them to dictate how they engage with the business and what level of service they require.


"The new concept will also deliver a level of service that's different to the existing routine and journey, and one that inspires and excites customers about their holiday."


Customers will be able to check-in on Facebook to receive special offers and share personalised holiday-related content."


It said that research shows that 46% of customers still want to deal face-to-face with an expert at some stage before booking their holiday, but that it needed to provide an "omni-channel" for the future.


Thomas Cook retail director Joanna Wild said: "Our new store will be more Apple than travel and uses technology and techniques championed by iconic, high-tech brands to place our customers at the heart of the experience; allowing them to choose how they access information and dictate the level of assistance they receive from us.


"We know that shopping habits are changing, with more and more customers are researching their holidays online and transactions becoming quicker, but we also know that a holiday is a massive purchase for customers who want to be inspired and enjoy that purchase process, and of course they still value that human touch and having expert advice on-hand if they need it. This is where our concept store will stand out and we will use it as a test bed to see what elements we might want to introduce to other stores in future."


The launch follows two earlier proof-of-concept store trials in Oldbury and Wimbledon which, it said, generated positive results and feedback from customers.


"Leeds White Rose concept store is the next step of this journey to create the ultimate store of the future."

Source:
http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2004245&c=setreg®ion=2

Constant drip of positive news coming from the press newswire now. The new Leeds White Rose concept store is to be opened before Christmas and Harriet Green will no doubt take the opportunity to maximise the publicity attached to this event. TUI have just had a very good trading year, partly based on the demise of Thomas Cook, but now they have a genuine competitor back in the market place. A new CEO, a new Board and a new ball game. Share prices at the moment are TUI @ £2.85 and TCG @ 32p . According to Travel Weekly the better investment is TCG. I'm not about to argue with Travel Weekly who are experts in the business and know what they are talking about.