18p. 29 apr 9.7p

Not long to go to February now.......

Nicola Mallard, and analyst at Investec Securities who is forecasting 6m earnings before interest and tax in 2010 for Uniqs UK operations, said trading was on an upward trend, but added that a decision by Uniqs pension trustees in February next year on how Uniq should service an estimated 270m in pension liabilities would be crucial for the company.

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Link to today's trading update:

UNIQ swings into profit in Q3

Re the Pension Fund:

"The last major legacy facing the Group is the disproportionate scale of the main UK pension fund deficit, the details of which were set out in the annual report, and more recently in the interim statement at the half year. We have commenced discussions with the Trustee of the main UK pension scheme to address this issue as part of the Scheme Specific Funding (SSF) process. The result of these discussions will have a fundamental impact on the long term future of the UK business and on shareholder value."

UNIQ buy in Shares mag today

A long awaited earnings recovery strategy asset disposals and the possibility of merger and aquisition activity all make chilled foods group UNIQ an appetising investment as the firm bounces back from a torrid two years.
Last weeks third quarter trading update demonstrated welcome progress, as the UK businesses haven finally returned profitability.
More importantly the company confirmed the process of selling its remaining European operations was well advanced. Shares believes they will be sold in the next ten weeks for some 40 million. After this disposal the company will be a cash-generative UK chilled food business with sales of some $300 million and a net cash position.
Following its retreat from europe, the 47 million cap has indicated it will boost its investment in its UK desserts business to increase both its flexibility and the scope for inovation.
Although viable, a group with turnover of 300 million would be considered to be too small by many analysts, a merger with another similar food manufacturer business such as Norther foods or Dairy Crest would be logical.
Uniqs 300 million in tax loss carry forward would held to lubricate any deal.
One obstacle still to be overcome is Uniqs pension deficit, which stands at 100 million on an accounting basis but is somewhat higher on an actuarial calculation. Negotations with the pension trustees, which has to be finalised by next June, will act as a constrait on sentiment. These discussions are likely to conclude with a compromise, with the company paying more into the fund utilising the procedds from the European sales, but with the rights of benificiaries being reduced.

Shares says ;- There is more good news to come BUY at 40.75p.

40 million for the NE European businesses is apparently the lowest estimate - could be considerably more boosted by the recent rise in the euro. Selling welll advanced and when it happens will give a considerable boost to sp. imho.

Why should it Al, all in the price and more imo.

Nasty bearish Double Top formed on the chart and lower indicators all negative. A fall back to support at 30p would be logical here if 50 day EMA at 34p doesnt hold.

One of the nastier charts around at the moment and no doubt the TA brigade have latched onto this over the last few days.

Up 4 fold since beginning of May,but looks to be one where caution is required at the mo.

Certainly so CP.

Looks to have 30p written all over it and then that might be a little generous even with the north Euro business in the SP.

Been a lovely profitable short for me so far.

Not in isolation though.

B/board favourites getting smashed all over the place and Ive got a few short from last thursday.

Not a keen shorter, but one as to make a living.

Yep going down the swany and very quickly.

The hype over the summer months cant have helped this one.

30p and very quickly imo.

Dam GF your up late ,,you've got to stop these all night clubbing sessions .

Yep my quack says so aswell jimmy.

Short going nicely here.

30p on the cards i reckon.

Im watching cnbc here the GDP figures are going to be good ,may help the general market.

30p not far off now.

What a corker of a short.

All puff and wind on this one. Pity the poor suckers who got roped in by the man across the road.

Remember I told you so.

And remember what i said about the pension deficit and how the selling of the companys silver ware would be used LOL lol ,lol ,lol lol lol lol .......

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds (after costs of approximately 3 million) from the sale will be used to eliminate Group net debt (pro forma 2.5 million at 25 September 2009 following the sale of Marie), with the balance being applied to shaping the long term future of Uniq whilst having regard to the significant UK pension deficit. ...ENDS

To be truthfull though I feel sorry for those who have been duped here.

Crikey GF what are you doing up at this time of night ?

Hi Jimmy,

been a bit off colour of late. Doc says ive got to moderate a bit.

Cant sleep much at the moment so helps to be able to post in the small hours.

That aside the news from the management here is very dissapointing given that the wallys over the road were expecting 70 to 80 million for the sale proceeds.

Can see this drifting to 30p and below after the initial puffining as subsided.

cheers mate.

Sorry to hear that GF, take it easy .

From The Times - rumour of the day.

Uniq shares rose 5% to 34p after its disposal of its loss making business in the Netherlands for 18 million. The deal, which comes after exits from France, Germany and Poland puts Uniq in its best financiall position for some time and could make the company a future bid target according to FinnCap the broker.

Which joker at finns thinks these will be taken over with a pension deficit 4 times the size of the market cap..... LOL you just have to.

See the SP slipped to my target of 28p today.

Short returns get bigger by the day.

Now I did warn you.

yep!
thanks gf please do keep em coming.
regards
jkd