,

As you say Skyhigh the next bull rally...whenever that'll be. I'm still not buying small caps just yet. A bit more pain in the real economy first, before small caps start to recover. But I'm starting to search now for other growth stocks like EDD.

Have you looked at AEC Education, a company that EDD had a share in last year, and they are based in Singapore. I did some research on them and liked what I read, but decided not to invest yet, because Asia could be behind us in the Economic cycle, and Education doesn't enjoy the same backing from the Government as in the UK. But maybe worth looking at again in 6 month's time.

sp up 1p today on news release below, with the NVQ system with large companies, their most be plenty of other opportunities to come.

Education Development International plc ('EDI'), a leading provider of educational qualifications and assessment services, announces the launch of its partnership with J Sainsbury plc ('Sainsbury's') to award National Vocational Qualifications ('NVQ') in Retail Skills as a part of Sainsbury's in-house training programmes.

EDI has mapped Sainsbury's in-house training programmes to the national occupational standards for retailing. The qualifications meet all of the requirements of the Regulator - the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority - and are fully accredited. EDI will be providing independent external verification to ensure ongoing quality assurance. Sainsbury's staff are now able to gain nationally recognised NVQs in Retail Skills and can use an NVQ Level 2 as a part of an Apprenticeship programme.

Gary Tovey, Qualifications and Skills Manager at Sainsbury's, commented:

'We needed to work with an awarding body that had a strong vocational orientation and that understood our business. We found EDI to be very employer focused, helping us build the right solution for both our business and our staff.'

Nigel Snook, EDI Chief Executive, said:

'EDI is delighted to be working in partnership with a number of corporate customers, such as Sainsbury's, to offer their staff opportunities to achieve high quality nationally recognised qualifications. Our partnerships are a key part of our strategy to help customers to build the skills of their staff to increase productivity and improve business performance while at the same time enabling staff to develop their careers.'

Thanks for the info...looks good...the story just gets better and better!

Don't forget they report Finals tomorrow.

PBIT should be 3.3m and EPS = 6p

Good luck.............

Hopefully we'll see some sp improvement it the markets react pos+ to all the economic stimulus thats going on ?

Looks as though results tomorrow am... looking at previous results the're always released 7am.... not long to wait now... slight tick up today... surprised it's not gone up more over the past couple of days when the mkt has been more cheerful!

Awesum ! excellent results ! this should be 1+ per share! how about that for a ramp!

Excellent ramp, but no need with this one. Quality continues to shine through.

From GrowthCompany investor y'day

EDI earns full marks

Educational qualifications and assessment services counter Education Development International (EDI) has earned full marks after delivering a strong profit and cash performance for the year to September.

On sales up 35 per cent to 21.5 million, including a 2.2 million contribution from acquisitions, operating profits powered ahead by 58 per cent to 3.34 million.

EDI increased net cash from operations by 137 per cent to 4.46 million, leaving a healthy 3.23 million in the coffers and allowing for a 27 per cent rise in the total dividend to 0.42p.

Nigel Snook, chief executive, was keen to flag up good levels of organic growth throughout the business, as well as a sterling performance from the core UK vocational qualifications and assessment services division, whose sales grew by 53 per cent to 11.9 million. Here, November 2007 acquisition ASET, a vocational awarding body, broadened the customer base and service range and has helped EDI to target further education colleges.

Elsewhere, in key international markets South-East Asia and Germany EDI performed well, while growth in its support and internet services operations was robust, with sales jumping by 30 per cent to 3.7 million.

EDI is now focusing on cross-selling extra services into existing clients and winning new business with training companies, further education colleges and employers, with its eye on select acquisitions should they come up.

Striking just the right balance between confidence and caution, Snook also sees resilience in the education market, underpinned by ongoing investment in skills development by governments, employers and individuals alike.

Recommended here at 42.25p in February, shares in EDI have fallen back to 36p, where they trade on a modest prospective multiple of 5.5, based on forecast profits of 3.7 million and earnings of 6.6p. At these levels, they remain good value. Buy/hold.

Some healthy buying today, might be some more tomorrow because share are ex div on Wednesday 7th January.

Sounds good!

More good news released this morning !

this company is going from strength to strength...let's hope it has a pos+ impact on the SP !....


fEDUCATION DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL PLC




AGM TRADING STATEMENT







Education Development International plc ('EDI' or 'the Group'), the leading provider of educational qualifications and assessment services, will provide the following update on Group trading and prospects at its Annual General Meeting to be held at its Head Office at 10.00am today.







Trading




During the first three months of the Group's financial year to 30 September 2009, profitability has significantly exceeded expectations with progress being recorded in all areas of the business.




On a like-for-like basis revenue is significantly ahead compared with the same period last year, partly as the result of exchange rate gains against both the Euro and the US Dollar. Strong growth in the sales of vocational qualifications services in the UK includes the full benefits of the acquisition of ASET on 19 November 2007 and also a short-term peak in initial demand for a new road passenger transport qualification. Sales volumes of our international qualifications are running at a similar level to that achieved in the same period last year but revenues have increased as a result of the exchange rate gains.




The underlying trend in UK sales growth has, so far, exceeded our prudent expectations for the impact of our investment in marketing and sales capability over the past 18 months. Our strategy of working in partnership with training providers and larger businesses on joint development activities is progressing well. This approach has recently led to success in securing the business of a large private training provider organisation, the financial benefits of which will begin to flow through in the second half of the year.




Expenditure during the first quarter was lower than anticipated as a result of close control of operational and development costs, and planned new staff appointments taking longer to complete.







Prospects




We continue to be watchful for any impact on the development of the Group's business resulting from the economic situation. However, to date there have been no signs of any direct effect on either our UK or international operations.




With further UK government funding support recently announced for employee training and apprenticeship programmes, our growing market share in the UK and the positive impact of exchange rate movements on our overseas business, the Board is confident that EDI will continue to record strong revenue and profit growth for the remainder of the current year and perform ahead of market expectations.










Commenting on the trading update, EDI Chief Executive Nigel Snook said:




'I am very pleased that despite the difficult economic situation we are able to report such positive news to our shareholders.




'We are now seeing the full benefit of the momentum created by our long-term investment and acquisition programmes. The business is now at a point where our efforts can be concentrated on developing long-term relationships with existing and potential customers, and working towards our aim of becoming recognised as a market leader in the provision of innovative, high quality learner assessment and support services both in the UK and overseas'.

This trading statement is better than I could have hoped for, it's by far the most positive I have seen all week. If this doesn't move the price then nothing will.

Already up 2p..lets hope it's sustained, we see lot's of positive publicity and the sp gradually strengthens big time !

Lets hope so skyhigh

Have just re-read the update and it read even better second time, I have read most company reports over the last three weeks, and this has to be the most positive one I have read. amec,igg and sdl were close, but no cigar.

Moving up nicely... lets hope it lasts!

see broker updates below.....

Brewin Dolphin -
2009 - PBIT = 5.6m and EPS = 9.35p
2010 - PBIT = 6.0m and EPS = 7.72p *

Redmayne -
2009 = PBIT = 5.7m and EPS = 9.2p
2010 = PBIT = 6.0m and EPS = 7.5p *

Increase in tax charge for 2010.

This is a 50% increase on both years from each broker from the last update on 27th November. The price has increased 25% to 46p since the excellent trading update, and a 50% increase would give a modest price target of 56p in the short term.

This doesn't take into account of weekend press comment or magazines and tipsheets that are out during the week. And the buying pressure this may generate.

Thanks Spitfire43 for the info... all sounds good...56p is modest indeed,,, a yr or two ago they were saying 85p, mind you that was when the ftse market was 6000+

so if we do see those kind of levels again in the next couple of yrs then we should see 85pish+ (imho)...onwards and upwards!

Hows this for a sign of confidence, see RNS below..........

Education Development International plc (the 'Company'), the leading provider of educational qualifications and assessment services, announces that it has been notified today that the following directors have purchased a total of 739,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company.

Richard Price, Chairman and Non-Executive Director, purchased:

144,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 43 pence per Ordinary Share on 22nd January 2009;

420,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 44 pence per Ordinary Share on 22nd January 2009; and

25,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 45 pence per Ordinary Share on 23rd January 2009.

Following the above purchases, Mr Price has an interest in 1,289,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 2.2% of the issued share capital of the Company.

Nigel Snook, Chief Executive, purchased 30,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 41 pence per Ordinary Share on 22nd January 2009 and 20,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 42 pence per Ordinary Share. Mr Snook now has an interest in 3,109,237 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 5.4% of the issued share capital of the Company.

Barrie Clark, Non-Executive Director, purchased 70,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 41 pence per Ordinary Share on 22nd January 2009 and 30,000 Ordinary Shares in the Company at 42 pence per Ordinary Share. Mr Clark now has an interest in 852,222 Ordinary Shares in the Company, representing approximately 1.5% of the issued share capital of the Company.

Thanks for the post & info.... certainly looks good and SP still gaining this morning