Centurion Electronics CUC. Traded on the Aim Market.
Drat, Shares mag got in before me and had this one as one of their plays of the week and I feel they are justified in their tip.

Heres a recent article I have lifted from another site and it sums up the company and its prospects.


Nice one, Centurion
By Neil Thapar

- Is Steven Cunningham of Aim-quoted Centurion Electronics set to become the next Alan Sugar of consumer electronics?


The short answer is that it is far too early to tell. But Cunningham's Centurion is potentially as well placed in a rapidly growing segment of the electronics market as Amstrad was during the 1980s personal computer boom. If Cunningham comes anywhere near to replicating Amstrad's success, investors can look forward to outsize gains in the years ahead.

Few have heard of either Centurion or its founder and 41% shareholder. However, there are parallels between the two entrepreneurs. Aged 37, Cunningham went to school in Enfield - not far from Sir Alan's stamping ground in the East End. Both essentially found their calling in sales and marketing. Cunningham started out as a photocopier salesman in the City while Sugar cut his teeth selling car aerials in the market stalls of Petticoat Lane.

As chairman and chief executive, Cunningham has now positioned Centurion for the emerging market for in-car entertainment systems such as flat screens, DVD players, and portable connectivity devices that enable games consoles to be used while on the move. Its products are mainly aimed at backseat passengers and should be a godsend for harassed parents on long journeys with a carload of kids.

The company, floated on the stock market last Christmas, claims pole position in the UK in-car entertainment market, ahead of brands such as Alpine, Pioneer, Sony and Philips.

Centurion designs, markets and distributes products under its own brand, subcontracting manufacture to the Far East. Its products can be factory-fitted to order, or in the aftermarket at a dealer's showroom. A separate range of portable "plug and play" systems is also available that can be connected ti a cigarette lighter socket in a car, caravan or boat.

The market for in-car entertainment and navigation systems is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade as miniaturisation, new technology and carmakers' desire to introduce new optional accessories helps to drive up demand. According to industry estimates, the aftermarket in-car entertainment systems grew eight-fold to about 235m in the past three years.

Cunningham says one of the group's key strengths is its ability to integrate small, flat screens and other devices into headrests, the car roof or other parts of the interior. It also has the know-how to develop products that are compatible with a car's electronic systems, power supply and wiring.

"Many of our rivals are focusing on developing information systems for the driver but we are concentrating on leisure and entertainment products," he says.

As a result, Centurion has signed up some big names in the car industry including BMW, Toyota and Nissan to offer its products as optional accessories. The group is also in talks with other manufacturers.

Separately, its products are also sold through retailers Argos, Currys, Dixons and Halfords. Among motor dealers it boasts Pendragon and CD Bramalls as its partners. On average, its products cost about 350, making them affordable and competitive against rival systems that can cost as much as 1,500.

Given that Centurion is reaching consumers through many different channels, growth is likely to be explosive. Moreover, this segment of the electronics industry is still at an early stage in its cycle and should underpin several boom years for Centurion.

Although Centurion, with a 14m market value, is still small, its results are already beginning to demonstrate the scale of its market opportunity. [/b]Maiden interim profits, reported in May, surged ahead 211% to 398,000 on a 95% increase in turnover to 2.8m.[/b]

It puts the company in on course to at least double taxable profits to 1.4m for the year ended 30 June 2003 but not yet reported. Taxable profits of over 3m in 2004 also look achievable according to the sole published forecast by its house broker Daniel Stewart.

For now the group also has sufficient resources to fund its growth. It had more than 1m cash in the bank at the half-year and recently also moved into new premises of 25,000 sq ft in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The shares have doubled since they were floated at 30p last December but canny fund managers such as Katie Potts of Herald continue to mop up the shares. Pent-up demand has led Cunningham to sell some shares in recent weeks. But the shares still look good for the long term and are likely to attract further attention as it becomes better known in the City.

The shares are valued at less than ten times expected earnings for 2003 and offer a dividend yield of 1.3%. Although small companies can trip-up if they fail to control and manage their rapid growth, Centurion's rating is low enough to justify the risk. Climb aboard.ENDS.

Looks like an excelent growth story to me.

GF.

There is no doubt that golddust is valuable but when it gets in your eyes it obscures your vision.

Forgot to mention that in the last presented results the company informed that it was well ahead of budget in the first two months of the new period.

cheers GF.

Very strong looking TA.



Has risen 336% since the bottom on 2 Dec 2002 at 35.00. Is within a rising trend. Continued positive development within the trend channel is indicated. The stock has support at p 125.


Period Vol.bal. Volatility Liquidity +/- %
1 day - 1.61% 8.42 +0.66%
5 days 84.19 5.91% 10.95 +7.77%
22 days -21.73 18.84% 17.56 +18.68%
66 days 10.10 58.79% 18.76 +56.41%

cheers GF.

This one gone on a roll now just moved up 3p.

cheers GF.

GF

When are the reporting periods?

Scrip, they last reported on the 10th December so I would take it 6 months on from there for next reports. I know your not a fan and theres always two sides to a coin. But if I remember rightly you said their margins would be under attack before the last set of results. In fact the margins increased. Ok I accept the likes of Alba will be competing in this market but like analysts have pointed out Centurion have a 2 year start.

Anyway always prepared to listen to reasoned debate.

cheers GF

5P DROP MID AFTERNOON - MAYBE A GOOD CHANCE TO TOP UP YOUR HOLDINGS FOLKS

Yup already have done as this one always breaks back the following trading day.

cheers GF.

GF,

RSI and momentum look a tad negative.

Interesting chart though!

Wouldnt worry about this one Andy. Last results speak for themselves. Not only that but the first two months of the new period are well ahead of budget.

Piled in Friday and bought myself a load at a cheaper price.

cheers GF.

ps, do you want a copy of the cardpoint brokers note ?????. Sending them out Sunday.

Heres one for you.

Saturday Paper Round: other news
Published: 12:19 Sat 10 Jan 2004
By Richard Lander, Editorial Director
Email to a friend

Wall Street closes lower after disappointing US employment news; the Dow ended 133 points lower while the Nasdaq closed 13 down.

* A deal to jail Andrew and Lea Fastow, Enron’s former chief financial officer and his wife, over the group’s collapse, fell apart yesterday
* Broker tips in the papers:
Cardpoint - Evolution says buy; Auto Indemnity and Next – Teather & Greenwood says buy; Topps Tiles – Panmure says buy; MFI Furniture – Arbuthnot says buy; RM Group – Altium Capital says buy; Homestyle – Arbuthnot says sell; Computacenter – ING says sell; Alliance & Leicester – Citigroup Smith Barney says sell
* British Airways plans a cost-cutting route to recovery, says Merrill Lynch
* Edward Miliband is returning to the Treasury as chair of The Council of Economic Advisers, after a stint at Harvard Investigators raided Bank of America’s offices in Milan as the probe into the Parmalat scandal widened
* The full content of Lord Penrose’s report into the Equitable Life disaster must be made available to the Treasury Select Committee, insists Shadow Financial Secretary Andrew Tyrie
* UK independent financial advisers face a sharp rise in firms about sales of precipice bonds which is likely to push up compensation bills and put some firm out of business.

cheers GF.

Centurion came back with a bang today and through the 150 resistance level.

Cheers GF.

This one a volatile devil. Up one day down the next. Friday should be an up day.

cheers GF.

And friday is an up day. Was up 4p last look.

cheers GF.

Needs to stay above 150p on two cosecutive days to start the next upleg.

cheers gf.

Bounced back with a 3p rise today.

cheers GF.

STATEMENT ISSUED BY COMPANY TODAY

The Board of Centurion announces with regret that Chairman and Chief Executive
Steven Cunningham was killed in a road accident on Friday 23 January.

The Board has met over the weekend and will meet again later today to confirm
the appointment of an interim Chairman.

A further statement will be issued following that meeting.

Think this one will have a bounce after the tradgedy of yesterday losing a brilliant young man in a car accident.

regards goldfinger.

Looks like the rebound as already started.


Centurion Electronics PLC
27 January 2004

Embargoed until: Tuesday, 27 January 2004


Centurion Electronics plc ('Centurion' or the 'Company')

Re Directorate


Following the announcement made yesterday regarding the tragic death of the
Chairman and Chief Executive, Steven Cunningham, the Board announces the
following board changes with immediate effect.

Brian Hendon, who was non-executive director now becomes interim Company
Chairman. Mr Hendon, a chartered accountant, has extensive corporate experience
of trading with UK retailers and within the fast moving goods sector.

Amanda Thorneycroft, who joined Centurion in January 2002, will continue as
Finance Director and assume the role of Managing Director.

The Board also announces the appointment of Mr John Bell as Operations Director.
Mr Bell joined the Company in April 2003 from one of the UK's leading automotive
accessory retailers where he was Director of Business Development. Prior to
this, he had headed up the in-car entertainment division of that company. Since
joining Centurion, Mr Bell has directed operations with overall responsibility
for purchasing and logistics.

Under the guidance of Steven Cunningham, the Board had strengthened
significantly its executive management team in recent months in particular, in
the areas of operations, marketing and sales. The Board believes that the
Company is well-positioned to continue to build on the success of its products
with both major motor manufacturers and retail customers.

There are no details required to be disclosed pursuant to schedule two,
paragraph (f) (i) to (viii) of the AIM Rules.


Enquiries:

Amanda Thorneycroft
Centurion Electronics plc
01707 330550

Russell Cook
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited
020 7739 8200

cheers GF.

CROC

Do you think the new lot have the flair of the late Mr C - I wonder? What will happen to the 41% of company he owned. Won't this hit the price when it goes up for sale?

Have you thought we might get a take over deal?????, watch it really go if that happens.