Trying to pick a company with turn around potential in the share price.
With the share price still close to long-term support 275p,UK Mail
looks quite capable of delivering some welcome portfolio profits.




https://www.ukmail.com/


The UK Mail Group (formerly known as Business Post Group) is the largest independent parcels, mail and logistics services company within the UK, offering innovative delivery solutions both locally and worldwide.


Over the past 40 years we have built up a business offering that we believe is second to none. With a national network of more than 55 sites and 2500 vehicles we are able to offer business customers an unique integrated service with a full range of time-sensitive and secure delivery options for parcels, letters and pallets – all of which can be tailored specifically to meet the needs of your business.

Over the past 40 years we have built up a business offering that we believe is second to none and our loyal customers now range from multinationals such as 02 and Talk Talk to family run businesses like Northamptonshire based Podington Garden Centre.

A dynamic and forward thinking company, UK Mail is committed to pushing the boundaries of the postal and express parcel delivery markets and continues to launch a range of innovative delivery solutions.

Ex dividend 26 Jun 13 UK Mail Group PLC [UKM] (12.4 p)



UK Mail Group PLC (UKM:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 530.00. Over this period, the share price is up 127.47%.

Trading statement - July 10

9 July 2013





uk mail Group plc



INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT



"A good start to the current financial year"



UK Mail Group plc announces the following Interim Management Statement covering the period 1 April 2013 to 30 June 2013.



We have made a good start to the current financial year, with trading performance for the first quarter likely to be well ahead of our previous expectations.



Reported Group revenues for the first quarter increased by some 6% compared to the same period in the previous year. Adjusted for there being two extra working days in the period compared to the same period last year, the underlying revenue increase was some 3%.



Our Parcels business continued to deliver a strong performance, with daily volumes for the quarter increasing by some 25% compared to the same period last year. This volume growth was largely driven by an increase in home deliveries related to online shopping, which resulted in a continuation of the mix change towards B2C that we have previously disclosed. We expect the level of parcels volume growth to moderate going forward as we annualise the higher volume growth achieved from the second quarter of the last financial year.



In our Mail business revenues were down slightly, largely due to mix changes; volumes were ahead of the same period last year. Mail remains well positioned in its market with a good pipeline of new business opportunities.



Our Courier and Pallet businesses performed in line with expectations, with slight revenue declines on the same period in the previous year.



The Group remains in a sound financial position.



We continue to expect the terms of an agreement with HS2 for the relocation of our Birmingham hub to be confirmed shortly by the Secretary of State for Transport.



Notwithstanding a good start to the current financial year, we still assume that the UK economic backdrop will remain challenging in the current year and that the pricing environment will stay competitive. However, as our industry continues to evolve, we continue to be confident that we can use our inherent strengths to adapt to the opportunities and gain further market share.



The Group's Annual General Meeting will take place at 12.00pm tomorrow, 10 July.



The Group expects to issue a pre-close trading update for the half year ended 30 September 2013 in early October 2013.



- Ends -

9 Jul Investec 600.00 Buy

Shares today - UK Mail’s (UKM) ability to capitalise on strong growth in the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment is driving a share price that has more than doubled in a year. The £280 million logistics specialist rose 8.7% to 560p after the group’s interim management statement revealed first quarter trading would be ‘well ahead’ of previous expectations.

The group’s parcels business continued to deliver a strong performance, with daily volumes for the quarter increasing by some 25% compared to the same period last year while mail business revenues were down slightly, largely due to mix changes. While this segment accounts for over half of the company’s overall revenue, the business-to-consumer side of UK Mail continues to give a robust performance.

While the mail division looms larger in turnover, it is the parcels division that accounts for the biggest bottom line contribution. The UK parcels market’s growth is being driven by B2C as more than 14% of retail sales now occur online. This is forecast to reach 28% by 2018.

In terms of breakdown, UK Mail’s parcels focus has been weighted towards the business-to-business (B2B) end of the market. Its attention is increasingly being drawn to the B2C segment, especially the high end (e.g. mobile handsets and laptops, where security is a high priority). Margins in the parcels segment suffered a dip since 2008/09 when they stood at around 9.5%, a low point of around 6.5% was reached in 2011/12 before bouncing back in 2012/13 to around 8.5%.

In May, when the group’s results for the year to 31 March were released, UK Mail unveiled plans for the installation of further automated sorting equipment, at a capital cost of approximately £20 million to be incurred over the next two financial years.

This enhanced automation spend will, according to Andy Jones an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, ‘help UK Mail maintain its cost leadership in the market. The challenge for the industry is to adapt delivery networks geared towards B2B, to B2C. The requirements for each are slightly different – and come with different problems, such as redelivery costs and lower unit prices (for B2C).’ As a consequence, the broker is lifting its operating profit forecasts by 3% 13/14E and 5% 14/15E reflecting a lower tax rate and the higher base level of profits in 2012/13.

UK Mail Group: RBC Capital moves target price from 400p to 415p and retains a neutral rating

UK Mail Group PLC (UKM:LSE) set a new 52-week high during Friday's trading session when it reached 593.00. Over this period, the share price is up 166.52%.

Dividend


Final Interim
Ex-Div 26-Jun-13
Paid 26-Jul-13
Amount 12.40p

UK Mail Group PLC (UKM:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 615.00. Over this period, the share price is up 159.22%.

Interesting, Acorn income fund managers talk to Ic this week. They will not be buying royal mail shares when it floats, and will be stick firmly with UK Mail - as having much stronger ties to online retail. The senior fund manager '' when people buy things online, UK Mail packages and delivers those items. And more and more people are buying those things online''.


UK Mail Group PLC (UKM:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 627.00. Over this period, the share price is up 161.05%.

Upset somewhat with the Royal mail privatisation , recovered 5% today.

Pre-close Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 7874O

UK Mail Group PLC

25 September 2013






25 September 2013







uk mail Group plc



PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE



"A Good First Half Trading Performance"



UK Mail Group plc today issues the following pre-close trading update for the half year ending 30 September 2013.



Current trading and outlook

Overall the Group performed well during the first half of the financial year. Trading in the second quarter has been such that overall performance for the first half year is now expected to be ahead of our previous expectations.



Reported Group revenues for the first half are expected to show an increase in some 7% compared to the same period in the previous year. Adjusted for there being three extra working days in the period compared to the equivalent period last year, the underlying revenue increase was some 4%.



Our Parcels business continued to deliver a strong performance, with average daily volumes for the half increasing by some 25% compared to the same period last year. This volume growth was largely driven by an increase in home deliveries related to online shopping, which resulted in a continuation of the mix change towards B2C that we have previously disclosed. We expect the level of parcels volume growth to moderate in the second half as we annualise the higher volume growth achieved from the end of the second quarter of the last financial year.



In our Mail business revenues were down slightly, largely due to mix changes, with our average daily mail volumes some 2% ahead of the same period last year. Mail remains well positioned in its market with a good pipeline of new business opportunities.



Our Courier and Pallet businesses performed in line with expectations, with slight revenue declines on the same period in the previous year.



The Group remains in a sound financial position.



Whilst we remain cautious about the strength of the economic recovery in the UK, the markets in which we operate continue to provide us with opportunities to develop and grow our business.



The Group will report its interim results for the half year ended 30 September 2013 on 20 November 2013.



HS2 discussions

We continue to make progress with securing an agreement with HS2 for the relocation of our Birmingham hub and expect confirmation by the Secretary of State for Transport to be received shortly. We hope to be in a position to provide a full update on our plans at the time of our interim results.







- Ends -

25 Sep Investec 630.00 Buy

Shares today -


Online shopping boosts UK Mail volumes


A surge in first-half volumes at UK Mail’s (UKM) parcels division has prompted the mail and logistics services company to say that first-half results will beat expectations. This triggers a 3.5% rise to 590p.

UK Mail says interim results, to be published on 20 November, should show a 7% rise year-on-year. Underlying revenue gain is 4% if you adjust for three extra working days in this year’s period.

Parcels is the strong area. Average daily volumes increased by some 25% compared to the same period last year thanks to an increase in home deliveries related to online shopping.

Mail revenues were down slightly and the group put this down to mix changes as daily mail volumes continue to grow – albeit by only 2%. The courier and pallet businesses performed in line with expectations, with slight revenue declines on the same period in the previous year.

While the group remains cautious about the depth of the UK’s economic recovery, UK Mail says its markets continue to provide opportunities to develop and grow business.

Stockbroker Investec raises its price target on UK Mail from 600p to 630p with analyst John Lawson characterising the company as being ‘in a sweet spot…with strong demand and enough capacity for now.’

Investec nevertheless flag up concerns about the rise in parcel volumes coming from an increase in home deliveries related to online shopping where B2C (business to consumer) traffic ‘has modest negative implications for the yield’. That notwithstanding, the broker is confident that the uplift from growth in volumes will more than mitigate for any likely margin erosion.

Interims on Wed 20 Nov

Half Yearly Report

RNS


RNS Number : 4605T

UK Mail Group PLC

20 November 2013










20th November 2013



UK MAIL GROUP plc



INTERIM RESULTS

For the 6 months ended 30 September 2013



Highlights



· Group revenues up 7.9%; group operating profit up 63.2%

o Parcels: revenues up 21.4%; operating profit up 91.3%

o Mail: revenues down 0.3%; operating profit up 10.9%



· Group profit before tax up 63.0% to £11.9m (2012: £7.3m)



· Strong balance sheet, net cash at period end of £19.5m (2012: £15.7m)



· Interim dividend increased by 10.93% to 7.1p per share (2012: 6.4p)



· Strong levels of customer retention and new client wins



· Further growth in market share as competitive and market landscape evolves



· New products and service offerings, including imail and ipostparcels, continue to make good progress



· Plans progressing for relocation of Birmingham hub and increased automation



Guy Buswell, Chief Executive Officer of UK Mail, said:-



"This has been a period of very strong growth, driven particularly by strong increases in our parcels volumes. Trading to date in the second half has been in line with our expectations and we remain confident of a positive outcome for the full year.



"This strong performance reflects the excellent progress made over the past three years. We have created a robust operational platform, strong competitive market positions, and we are a much more consumer-focused business.



"We are now entering the next phase of strategic investment. With significant steps forward planned over the next two years in our capacity, customer-facing technology, I.T. infrastructure and automation, these investments will create the platform for the next chapter of growth for the Group over the coming years

UK Mail shares lifted as parcels business boosted by online shoppers
By Giles Gwinnett November 20 2013, 10:42am Growth was supported by average daily volume growth of 25%-largely driven by an increase in home deliveries, the company saidGrowth was supported by average daily volume growth of 25%-largely driven by an increase in home deliveries, the company said

Home deliveries from online shopping boosted the parcels business of UK Mail (LON:UKM) in its latest half year, it told investors.

The parcels business, which represents 43% of the group's overall revenues, saw revenue growth of 21.4% in the six months to end September compared to last year.

This growth was supported by average daily volume growth of 25%-largely driven by an increase in home deliveries, the company said.

The firm provides mail, parcels and logistics services; in the mail business, revenues fell 0.3% but operating profit was up 10.9%.

Overall, the group's pre-tax profit increased 63% to £11.9 million, compared to £7.3mln in 2012.

Guy Buswell, UK Mail's chief executive, said: "This has been a period of very strong growth, driven particularly by strong increases in our parcels volumes.

"Trading to date in the second half has been in line with our expectations and we remain confident of a positive outcome for the full year."

He added: "We are now entering the next phase of strategic investment. With significant steps forward planned over the next two years in our capacity, customer-facing technology, IT infrastructure and automation, these investments will create the platform for the next chapter of growth for the group over the coming years."

UK Mail now has Royal Mail (LON:RMG) as a listed competitor after the state postal service was privatised last month, in a much hailed public float. Its parcel business is crucial to Royal Mail's future growth prospects.

UK Mail said it was continuing with plans to introduce further automated sortation at a cost of around £20mln this and next financial year into its parcels operations.

"We are targeting a double digit net return on the investment we make. We expect the automated sortation to go live in early 2015 with the full run rate of benefits being achieved from September 2015," it told investors today.

UK Mail declared an interim dividend payment of 7.1p - an increase of 10.9% (2012: 6.4p), to be paid on January 17 next year.

Shares advanced 6.84% to stand at 625p each.

Sp fully valued.

Agreement with Department for Transport

RNS


RNS Number : 8636U

UK Mail Group PLC

06 December 2013








6 December 2013



UK Mail Group Plc



Agreement with Department for Transport - relocation of central hub



UK Mail Group plc ("UK Mail") is pleased to confirm that agreement has been reached with the Department for Transport for the relocation of our central hub.



As indicated in our interim results announcement on 20th November 2013, our central hub in Birmingham is on the route of HS2 (the UK Government's planned high-speed rail route between London and the Midlands and Northern England) and therefore needs to be relocated.



An agreement has now been reached with the Department for Transport that they will support the relocation of the hub to a new 200,000 sq. ft. facility, in the Coventry area, subject to planning approval.



Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2014 and the move will take place over a period commencing in Spring 2015. This timescale supports our plans to introduce significantly increased automation of our operations from Spring 2015 onwards, with new automated sortation equipment being installed at the new hub.



The cost of replacing our existing facility and associated relocation costs will be funded by HS2 Ltd. UK Mail will fund the costs of deemed upgrades to our existing facility, expected to be some £10m; this is in addition to the previously announced investment of approximately £20m in the new automated sortation equipment. Of this combined investment, £10m is expected to fall into the current financial year and £20m into the year to 31 March 2015. The investment will be funded from UK Mail's existing cash resources and new bank facilities. We continue to expect a double digit net return on the investment in automation, with the full run-rate of benefits expected from September 2015.



Guy Buswell, CEO of UK Mail, said:



"This move will represent an important component of our plans to develop UK Mail into one of the leading and most advanced parcel carriers in the UK, with a new state-of-the-art, highly automated hub at the heart of our network."



Beth West, HS2 Ltd Commercial Director, said:



"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with UK Mail. This is a significant step forward and provides clear evidence that HS2 Ltd can work successfully with businesses to secure long term benefits for both."

The company must of done well over the Christmas period delivering what was ordered over the internet . From the company site - Q3 Management Statement January 2014