I bought into these on January 3rd for the dividend. Probably boring to a lot on investors, but with a yield of 9.3%, they are worth a look for income seekers.

The Smiths News Group operates in distinct but complementary markets; newspaper and magazine wholesaling, Smiths News, book wholesaling, Bertrams and education supplies, The Consortium.

Smiths News is the UK’s leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler. The company distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of national publishers as well as a number of regional publishers. It serves approximately 30,000 retailers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents.

Company Website

Financial Calendar

Recent Broker notes

BarChart Indicators

Recent Market news

Smiths News Fundamentals

Lord Gnome - another overlooked yielder - but I guess that's down to the demographics of this BB.

I bought @82.23 On Jan 3rd for the dividend (due tomorrow), so its nice to also be sitting on a 15%+ gain.

Like many shares atm, its looking over bought - the next few days should be interesting (here and generally).

Just closed here @96.05 - I hope to buy back a bit lower. Good luck Lord Gnome.

Taking a chance there skinny, although it does look a bit 'toppy'. May not break 100 this time around, but that was one hell of a ride up. Good timing on your part and a very profitable trade.

Smiths News PLC

New opening of the Birmingham depot

Smiths News PLC, the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers, magazines and books, is pleased to announce that it has opened a new depot in Birmingham.

The new Birmingham depot is the most significant network change within Smiths News over the last 12 months. This purpose built 55,000 sq ft. depot will amalgamate the operations of Birmingham, Redditch and Coventry as well as expanding its capacity further to take in additional operations.

The new facility will employ 160 staff picking circa 2.2 million newspapers and 1.1 million magazines per week. The Birmingham depot will also utilise 100 delivery contractors and supply product to over 2,000 retailers.


Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive of Smith News PLC commented:

"Once fully operational the new Birmingham depot will be a world class facility, capable of the highest standards of service and efficiency. The investment further demonstrates our industry leadership and commitment to the long term future of the newspaper and magazine supply chain."

Interim Results.

Operating highlights:
· Delivered another strong financial performance
o Underlying PBT of £21.5m, up 12.0%
o Generated free cash flow of £6.0m
· Continued resilience in the core business
o Smiths News underlying operating profit up 5%
o Bertram Group operating profit up 33% benefiting from Dawson's initial contribution
· Dawson integration delivering synergy and cost savings targets
o Profitability of acquired businesses on track
o On track to deliver £2.5m integration efficiencies in FY2012
· Strong shareholder returns:
o Underlying EPS(2) of 8.9p, up 14%
o Declared interim dividend of 2.8p up 8%
· On track to meet full year market expectations
· Acquisition of The Consortium for enterprise value ("EV") of £44m
o A leading distributor of education and care products
o Adding £64m of revenue and £7.0m EBITDA to the Group
o Immediately earnings enhancing.

Looks like I've missed my chance this time - ex dividend (2.8p) on 9th May.

Oriel Securities Upgrade Buy TP increased from 80p to 120p

JP Morgan Cazenove reiterates it's Overweight

Acquisition

Smiths News PLC ('Smiths News'), the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers, magazines and books, is pleased to announce its wholly owned book wholesaling business Bertram Books ('Bertrams'), has acquired Houtschild Internationale Boekhandel B.V. ('Houtschild') from Blackwell UK Ltd for a net consideration of €0.7 million satisfied in cash via its subsidiary Dawson Books Ltd ('Dawsons').

Houtschild, based in the Netherlands, is a leading supplier of books and journals into both academic libraries and Government Institutions across Northern Europe and is very well regarded by a loyal customer base. In the year ended 30 June 2011, Houtschild generated revenues of €4.9 million.

The acquisition provides additional scale, infrastructure and expertise as well as greater access to key customers and geographies which is consistent with our stated international expansion strategy. We believe the combination will deliver synergy benefits once the integration process is complete.

This acquisition will also further facilitate Dawsons' digital expansion outside of the UK. Its integrated offer of physical and digital books will be an important competitive differentiator in driving medium term sales growth in the region.

The transaction will be immediately earnings accretive. It demonstrates Smiths News' ability to grow organically whilst capitalising on strategic bolt-on opportunities and generating additional shareholder value.


Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News PLC, said:
"We are delighted to have completed this acquisition, which is an excellent addition to our books business. Houtschild represents a clear international strategic step for Bertrams consistent with our stated aim. The Group will benefit from synergies, an increase in scale and a stronger sales presence in Northern Europe, as well as accelerating the digital platform roll out."

Interim Management Statement.

The Group remains on track to deliver strong growth in profits for the year ended 31 August 2012. As a result, we expect underlying profit before tax to be at the top end of market range.

Total Group revenues for the 44 weeks to 7 July increased 3.3% year on year, boosted by contributions from the Dawson businesses, acquired in August 2011 and The Consortium. The performance of each sector is as follows:

· Smiths News revenues declined by 2.6% and by 4.1% on a like for like basis. Cover price increases continue to support newspaper performance largely offsetting volume declines with magazine performance in line with expectation.

· Bertram revenues increased 32.5%, including Dawson Books, and by 4.3% on a like for like basis. Both UK Wholesale and International are trading marginally above last year with Library Services continuing to trade well above last year.

· Media and Marketing revenues increased by 6.7% on a total basis and 8.6% on a like for like basis.

· The Consortium has traded in line with management expectations with revenues for the 11 weeks post acquisition 7.2% above last year. Integration of West Mercia Supplies business is also progressing well.

Net debt at 30 June was higher than at 28 February 2012 as a result of the £38m acquisition of The Consortium. The Group continues to operate well within its bank facilities.

The Group will announce its preliminary results for the year ending 31 August 2012 on 16 October 2012.

12 month high today @118p

L&G (From 4% to 3%)

On close inspection its from 7,341,843 to 7,331,327 @10,500

Share price still moving up ahead of upcoming results. That chart is now a thing of beauty.

Yes - I sold far to early!

Preliminary Results

2012 HIGHLIGHTS:

· Performance ahead of market expectations with underlying profit before tax up 23%

· Significant momentum on diversification strategy

o Acquisition of The Consortium giving access to growing markets

o 28% of proforma(6) profits from outside of newspaper and magazine wholesaling

· Growth and progress across the business

o Secured £200m revenue per annum from the News International Contract to 2019

o Strong performance from international and digital books markets

· Excellent performance on cost savings and efficiencies

o £5m efficiencies delivered from Smiths News with a further £20m expected by 2015

o £2.5m year 1 synergies from integration of Dawson Holdings

· Continuing to enhance shareholder value

o EPS of 19.9p up 28%

o Full year dividend of 8.6p up 7.5%

N+1 Singer Upgrades to Buy TP 135p

Oriel Securities reiterates its Buy TP 200p

Liberum Capital Retains its Buy TP 155p

Some variety in the TPs there skinny. 155 or anything north would be nice :-)

Hi Lord Gnome - I never did get around to buying these back - I even hesitated this morning on the retrace at 136p!

It is very difficult to bite the bullet and buy back a share for more than you sold it, skinny. It is almost impossible to remove the emotion from the decision. I have done it and kicked myself for the profit I missed while I was out of the stock.
These are now LTBH for me - for the foreseeable future anyway. My running average yield is now 9.575%. I see a good few years of growth in profits, dividends - and share price!

It wasn't the 1st time and it certainly wont be the last - I will,buy back at some point - meanwhile enjoy your profits.

Superb chart since July.