Web Site : http://www.universe-group.co.uk/

HTEC Web Site : http://www.htec.co.uk/


Nov 2005 CNBC Interview with Ray Mackie (open the url below in Windows Media Player or equivalent)

http://www.universe-group.co.uk/news/media/ray_mackie_cnbc_111105_large.mpg


Half Year End 30th June
Full Year End 31st Dec
____________________________________________________________________

Latest Broker Forecasts

Charles Stanley 9th December 2005 BUY

2005 Pre Tax Profit 1.37M
2005 EPS 1.8p
2005 Div 0.75p

2006 Pre Tax Profit 2.03M
2006 EPS 2.3p
2006 Div 0.75p
______________________________________________________________________

31 OCTOBER 2005
UNIVERSE GROUP PLC

HTEC UPDATE
NEW HYDRAPOS INSTALLATIONS

Universe Group plc ("Universe" or "the Company"), the forecourt payment and
loyalty systems company, is pleased to announce that it has received a further
significant order for its HydraPOS petrol forecourt system. Following ASDA's
purchase of 12 former Safeway stores from Morrisons, which include five petrol
sites, in Northern Ireland, ASDA has placed orders with HTEC for HydraPOS to be
installed at each of the petrol sites on Toshiba TEC hardware.

This follows other recent forecourt industry developments which saw Fuelforce's
sale of 22 sites to Somerfield, 61 petrol sites to Murco and 25 sites to
Malthurst. As a result:

* Somerfield, and Malthurst, one of the biggest of the independent groups,
have now become significant customers of HTEC;

* HTEC, with Toshiba TEC, now has the largest presence in Murco's Point of
Sale estate. HTEC was already a supplier to Murco.

Commenting on today's announcement, Ray Mackie, Chairman , said: "It is pleasing to see continuing success from our efforts to gain an increasing our share of this dynamic market. HTEC is working closely in partnership with Toshiba TEC to give our customers the best service on the best equipment."

___________________________________________________________________



Universe Group PLC
09 September 2005

UNIVERSE GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2005

Universe Group plc ('Universe' or the 'Company'), the retail and information
systems company, is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six months
ended 30 June 2005.

Highlights:
Continuing turnover of 14.7 million (2004: 11.0 million)
Operating profit on continuing business 1,229,000 (2004: 757,000)
Profit before tax 482,000 (2004: loss of 224,000)
Adjusted earnings per share 1.45p (2004: 0.84p)
Sale of First Remit completed on 12 August 2005
Unchanged interim dividend of 0.25p
Appointment of Bishopsgate Communications Ltd as Financial and Corporate PR.


Commenting, Ray Mackie, Executive Chairman of Universe said:

'In the first half of 2005 we achieved an operating profit on our continuing
business and before exceptional items which was 62.3% higher than last year. In the main this was the result of an excellent performance at HTEC. Continuing operating profits before exceptional items were 1,229,000 compared to 757,000 for the first half of last year on a like for like basis. Our continuing business is that of HTEC and the Paris shops of Master Change'.

'The medium term prospects for HTEC are excellent although the second half will
be quieter. With its shop closure programme completed there are signs that the
Paris shops will put in a strong performance for Master Change.'

.
______________________________________________________________________


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2740-1851929,00.html

The Times November 01, 2005

Smaller stock to watch

Universe Group, the AIM-listed provider of forecourt payment systems, added 2p at 19p on announcing further orders from Asda for its HTEC division. Universe, after the purchase by Britains second-biggest grocer of 12 former Safeway stores in Northern Ireland, is to supply the sites with its HydraPOS petrol forecourt system, in conjunction with Toshiba hardware. The company also said that Somerfield and Malthouse, the independent petrol retailer, have also become significant customers, while HTEC now has the largest presence in Murcos point-of-sale estate.

TIP SHEET TODAY. 21st Feb 2005.



Buy Universe Group at 19.5p
Suggests top AIM guide, A1m-Analyst.com
Ironically, Universe Group (UNG: AIM) is not a business that will ever rule the universe; life would function perfectly well without it. However the three businesses that make up Universe Group are excellent and have great potential. The real attraction of buying shares is the dividend yield of 5.25%, forecast to rise to 6.85% in 2005 and the 2005 Price Earnings ratio of 5.75; which is far too low. When Universe proves to the market that it is capable of delivering on its promises it will be re-rated.

The Business

Universe Group was originally called Card Clear, having been established in 1991. The group listed on AIM in 1995, and changed its misnomer to Universe Group in January 2000.

The value of investments can go down as well as up. Investing in equities can lose you part or all of your capital although the potential returns are theoretically unlimited. Smaller company shares can be relatively illiquid and thus hard to trade. And that makes such investments more of a high risk than larger company shares.

Universe Group comprises three businesses, Master Change, First Remit, and HTEC. Master Change was acquired by Universe in 1998 having been set up two years earlier. Master Change is a niche bureau de change business, operating kiosks in popular tourist sites within Europe. In 2004 the number of bureaus was reduced from twenty-nine to the most profitable fourteen, which, whilst ensuring there will be exceptional charges, should ensure that Master Change contributes a profit this year. Foreign Exchange Bureaus are naturally dependent upon the levels of tourism, and Europe has been suffering of late due to the weak American dollar. However, the weak dollar will not have too adverse an effect on profits for Master Change in 2005.

The second business under the Universe umbrella is First Remit, which operates an international cash transfer systems. First Remit opened in 2001, and uses the internet and a network of agents for customers to transfer money almost instantaneously. First Remit has frequently disappointed by failing to deliver what both management and investors expected of it.

Like Master Change, the First Remit business has undergone a period of reorganisation, and we are led to believe that it will be profitable in either the first or second half of 2005.

The business operates by charging a transaction fee to the client. Executive Chairman, Ray Mackie, believes that in four to five years time First Remit could be making an operating profit approaching 5 million pounds, which would be over 8p a share in earnings.

The final arm to Universe is HTEC, the business that many believe to be the real jewel in the crown. HTEC specialises in the development of loyalty systems for the retail industry. The company operates the technology behind loyalty schemes including BP Premier Points, Total Oil Tops, BHS, Asda, and Morrison's. HTEC also operates "e-loyalty", whereby customers can gain loyalty rewards in the form of vouchers or points aimed at their interests based on previous visits tracked by HTEC technology. On 1st January 2005 HTEC switched to Chip and PIN technology, which meant that large orders in the first half of the financial year were delayed until the second half. Chip and Pin technology allows for remote card usage at Outdoor Payment Terminals ("OPT's"), and can be used to pay for petrol, parking, and other goods. HTEC is expanding the number of OPT's that offer Chip and Pin technology, and is also competing for business in other countries where Chip and Pin technology is being rolled out.

The Balance Sheet

Universe Group has a good balance sheet, which will strengthen when forecast profits flow. The most recent balance sheet to go by is from 30th June 2004, the close of the first half interims. Gearing is negligible, net debt was 4.435 million pounds, total assets less liabilities were 27 million pounds and net current assets were 526,000 pounds. Turnover was up at the interim stage of 30th June to 20.35 million pounds (2003: 18.967 million) pounds, and an operating profit before development cost write-off and exceptional items of 534,000 pounds was achieved.

The increase in turnover was encouraging given that HTEC delayed orders due to implementation of the Chip and Pin technology.

Traditionally the second half of the year has always been stronger than the first, and certainly this will be the case for the results to 31st December 2004, due for release in March. At the interims Universe stated that "Our order position indicates that HTEC will have a very busy second half to this year and a good start point to 2005." This statement underpins the forecasts from house-broker Charles Stanley, and to some extent Corporate Synergy.



Forecasts



In its forecast of 28th January, house-broker Charles Stanley has forecast pre-tax profits in 2004 of 1.3 million, worth 2p per share in earnings. Meanwhile Corporate Synergy is more optimistic, forecasting pre-tax profits of 1.68 million, worth 2.71p per share in earnings. The forecasts from Corporate Synergy look far too optimistic, and as such we do not place any faith in such figures. However for what they're worth the forecasts from Corporate Synergy are for 2005 pre-tax profits of 3.9 million, worth 4.7p per share in earnings. The forecasts that we have used suggest that Universe trades on an historic PE of 9.5, falling to 5.75 for the current financial year of 2005. We have forecast a dividend of 1.3p per share, which equates to a yield of 6.85%. Previously the dividend has been available as a scrip, whereby shares can be taken instead of cash, and this is likely to remain an option.


Year Ending 31st December
Turnover
(million pounds)
Pre-Tax profit
(million pounds)
EPS(p)
P/E(x)
Dividend(p)
Yield (%)

2003A
42.1
(2.73)
(7.0)
n.a
1.71
9

2004E
43.5
1.3
2.0
9.5
1.00
5.25

2005E
48.0
2.0
3.3
5.75
1.3
6.85



Investment Case

Universe should appeal to those investors after income and growth. Fundamentally Universe Group is cheap, that is so long as our forecasts are accurate. Clearly the market is waiting for proof that Universe will finally deliver on its promises, but the reorganisation of Master Change and First Remit lead us to believe that the Group will deliver on its forecasts. Once Universe proves to the market that it can deliver on forecasts it should be re-rated to a more sensible PE ratio in line with its peers. 2005 should be the year that Universe finally delivers. The target price is 30p. Buy.

Key Data:

Share Price: 17 - 21p

EPIC: UNG

Stockmarket: AIM

Very nice buying yesterday.

Two other pointers that make this look attractive are the low PCF (Price to Cash Flow) which is x4.7 (sector present is x13.7 and market present is x12.03) and the low PSR (Price to Sales Ratio) which is x0.21 (sector present is x1.17 and market present is x2.11). A target as above of 30p (Tip from A1m guide) would take into account nothing special, if the results are special there is no reason why this cannot go to 60p. A PBV of only 1 would make it approx 45p.

Ticking up nicely. Tipped everywhere. Target 30p soon, and higher on the good results and news.

Still strong with more buying and the Prelims not many days away now. IMO over 30p after the Prelims announced with good news on HTEC.

Prelims still estimated at 23rd March, just a week away now.

Results out yesterday, quite a decent set of results and HTEC is coming on strong. Div will be 0.5p.

There was large goodwill etc....I would take this as a deliberate clear out now that everything is done in the changes from 2004, which will lead to very good interims and finals for 2005.

Webcast with chairman Mackie on t1ps.com this afternoon, will have to see what he says.

Universe Group PLC
30 March 2005

30 March 2005

Universe Group plc

Directors' Shareholding

Universe Group plc (the 'Company') announces that two of its directors, Ray
Mackie and Catherine Wines have today each purchased 25,000 shares in the
Company at 151/2 pence per share.

Following these transactions Ray Mackie is beneficially interested in 6,974,658
shares representing 11.4 per cent. of the issued share capital and Catherine
Wines is beneficially interested in 191,942 shares representing 0.31 per cent.
of the issued share capital.


Enquiries:

Universe Group plc
Ray Mackie, Executive Chairman 020 7287 0888

Charles Stanley & Co Limited
Russell Cook 020 7739 8200


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Strong write up on t1ps.com, stating an absolute bargain at 17p.

Three very good reasons to buy this and why its very much undervalued !!

Makes interesting reading and yet more reasons to keep adding.

I have followed this thread and bought into this a couple of times at 21p and 23p and have got to say i`m disappointed with the way the share price has gone down.Do you really think its worth topping up again.?
db66

A little summary of why, when and how UNG is going places ;

Some hints perhaps of tips ; expecting circa 1.6M Pre Tax profits this year, good.

Potential to sell HTEC for 20M, leaving UNG with 16M in cash in the bank and no debt and still have a 30M per year business thats presently break even (less HTEC) but growing, 17p only reflects a value of 10M for the whole company, better.

Its in growth, keeping it all the same within 2 years you could see operating profits over 5M, excellent too.

Very exciting prospects and why we had director buying yesterday.

I will hold and add and sell only when over 30p !

Universe Group PLC
11 April 2005

11 April 2005

Universe Group plc
Directors' Shareholdings

Universe Group plc, the retail and information systems company, announces that
as a result of the purchase on 11 April 2005 of 50,000 ordinary shares at 171/2
pence per share by the Universe Trustees (no.2) Limited in connection with the
Universe Group plc Long Term Incentive Plan, the following directors have
increased their beneficial shareholdings in respect of 40,000 of these shares as
follows:


Name of Director Previous Holding Shares Acquired Current Holding Percentage

Catherine Wines 191,942 20,000 211,942 0.35%
Adrian Grinsell 38,145 20,000 58,145 0.09%

For Further Information:

Universe Group plc
Ray Mackie, Group Chief Executive 020 7287 0888

Charles Stanley & Co Limited
Russell Cook 020 7739 8200

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Really good news today;

Universe Group PLC
13 May 2005
Universe Group plc

AGM Statement

Universe Group plc, the retail and information systems company held its AGM today when Ray Mackie, Chairman, told shareholders:


'We have got off to a strong start in 2005. At HTEC our sales in the first
quarter were substantially up on the first quarter sales of 2004 as a result of the impetus from Chip and PIN related business.

Currency Division had a respectable level of activity, given market conditions for tourism in Paris where we have ten shops and the competitive nature of the international money transfer market.

The Board is confident of a good result for the half year and for the year as a whole. We expect to announce the interim results for the six months ending 30 June 2005 on 2 September 2005.

Looking further ahead, we are very excited by our PIN enabled unattended payment system. We have commenced installation in petrol forecourts and we are seeking unattended applications outside our traditional markets. We anticipate that unattended systems will be a growth market as a result of the introduction of Chip and PIN'.


R J Mackie

Chairman

13 May 2005

PpP: Your ELA morning post was well timed for UNG - up 2p today on the good news about chip & pin.
But UNG had already been flagged on my sharescope recovery watchlist some time ago - long period of decline and history of director buys - in fact the directors seem never to have sold any shares, they just keep accumulating. Nice chart shape and good addition for the recovery portfolio.
Not too keen on KUJU because of low volumes which give no clues about OBV and offers little prospect of a feeding frenzy which I need to keep up my adrenalin levels.
Still interested in CSB although not strictly a recovery play.
sd.

Sorry, stutter on the send button.

squidd forgot with UNG the Xdiv date is 18th May and its 0.5p which is a nice little bonus too.

Kuju should get the coverage once the publish they are into profit and I expecting more contract news before the results, heres hoping.

Lots of talk about the drug for ELA being allowed back on the market, hope it is.

PpP: Congrats! UNG was the best performer on my 25 long recovery list on 13th.
Div prospect is noted for which thanks.
ELA managed to limp into blue despite early profit taking, but I find the trades list perverse and don't comprehend.
In case you're wondering, I sleep soundly at night with my recovery stocks, but the owls across the river in the New Forest often wake me at this time and I am trying to read their message.
sd.

squidd the unhealthy UNG cub might be turning into a tiger and if those first half figures are good which it looks like they will it should be like a firework after that.

squidd from armshare.com

The Royal Bank of Scotland duly subscribed. Reporting for the half year to June, the company lost money, but if you disregarded the exceptional items the earnings - 0.5p - were about the same as those of June 2003. And a strong second half was expected from HTEC. It did, but nevertheless, even adding back those costs and writing off development expenditure, the earnings failed to excite and the loss of income hurt. And there was not much in the statement to enthuse either although an upbeat AGM statement - with especial reference to HTEC and PIN-enabled unattended payments prospects - generated some investment interest in current year prospects.
Research Standing
The share price is holding steady, and could be redeemed by the first half performance.


In my opinion this was always set to take off in 2005 but it does not stop there as there will be strong strong growth through into 06 and 07 and more after that and have a feeling this might get fully tipped by t1ps this week !