Anyone knows about the recent speculation of big contracts coming up at C&W ??? Would welcome any threads. Thanks.

UK's Cable & Wireless jumps on ABN AMRO optimism

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - British telecoms firm Cable & Wireless Plc topped the FTSE 100 (^FTSE - news) gainers list on Friday, recovering from a two-month low after C&W's house broker ABN AMRO (Amsterdam: AAH.AS - news) told clients the stock looked cheap.

C&W shares were up 5.3 percent at 133-1/4 pence by midday. Volume was heavy, with over 34 million shares changing hands, above the 90-day average volume of 29.6 million. Earlier in the week, C&W touched 123-1/4p, its lowest level since mid-October.

"Since C&W announced their U.S. exit the stock has drifted off around 10 percent and I think the main reason for that is people have been reducing beta in their portfolios towards the end of the year, but I do think the downside risk has minimalised," said ABN AMRO analyst Richard Eary.

"Even if the markets turn and look for low-beta stocks next year and go back to value plays, C&W should also come up on radar screens given its cash pile, low multiples and ability to increase the dividend side or potentially embark on share buy-backs," Eary added. He has an "add" rating on C&W, with a price target of 148p.

C&W shares have been the star performer of the blue-chip FTSE index in 2003. Friday's rise brings its increase in the year so far to a massive 196 percent. The next best gainer looks set to be mobile phone company mmO2 , up 74 percent at 77p since the beginning of January.

I don't short shares but if I did this one would be high on the list!

"Any illusions that the legacy UK unit has positive value should be over. In 2003, the year that Richard Lapthorne took over as chairman, it generated 116m of ebitda. Next year it should make about 40m. It cannot cover its capital expenditure bill." Lex, FT

Is VDO looking for this or not? They have the money now

C&W SP will double in a few days time.

SAM24, what reasons do you have for saying that.
2517

red = 25 dma
green = 50 dma

fairly strong resistance at about 165 now broken.
perhaps marginally o'bought, but could well be good for a little canter

Chart looking marvellous now, solid support at 165p on any retrace.

cynic, I think you MAs are the wrong way round, green looks like the 50day to me.

Broker upgrade, target 200p.

Explains this mornings explosive breakout.

thanks Andy ..... have not seen that, but having bought at 167 so very happy anyway

I read the write up In the IC today, Impressed by directors buying....5 of them.

i hold these too ..... as usual in the bloodbaths, babies and bathwater get thrown out together ...... certainly C&W now look very cheap on the chart, but would be happier if they staged a quick and sharp recovery

sp has really struggled to get through the previous 180 high, but has now done so in style on the back of some very positive press mumblings re break-up value and general upgraded target of 240 ...... i already hold, so am a happy bunny anyway, but the company is quality and has long bee suggested as a "victim" in the inevitable consolidation of this sector

reminder for me! ..... figures due Thursday 24th ...... Cable & Wireless PLC year to March EBITDA 456 mln vs 411 mln stg; revenue 3.411 bln stg vs 3.23 bln.

looks to me that the results easily surpassed expectations .... at lesat this and VOG should open significantly higher this morning!

have banked my (nice) profits here, albeit that sp then shot up another 3-4p ..... but who cares? ...... can't go bankrupt with a banked profit .... lol!

Great prospect.. Never mind the result.

SO WITH THE NEWS OUT ON THE 25TH MAY,DO YOU THINK ITS TIME TO PILE IN .

CW. has always done good deals. Sold at the highest prices ever, and now buying back at the lowest levels possible....

You seem to have forgotten the billions they lost buying dot com bubble companies in the US.

Halifax,
what are those?