Take a look at this one gang. The share price is in great motion at the moment, busting through the 19p barrier and looking up into clear air. Results in about 3-4 weeks time will be "significantly ahead of current market expectations". One not to be missed.

One Year chart:



Five Year chart:



Intraday:



Marchpole Holdings plc
("Marchpole")

Marchpole which designs, produces and sells high quality clothing and
accessories for Yves Saint Laurent, Ozwald Boateng and which is the owner of
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac today announces a strong start to Q4 trading
performance.

Trading in Q4 to date, traditionally the Company's strongest quarter, has been
aheadof expectations with forward order books for SS04 collections now in
excess of #12M.

As a result, the Directors expect to report sales and operating performance for
the year ending 31 March 2004 above current expectations.

The preliminary results for the year ending 31 March 2004 are expected to be
announced in May 2004.

Hemscott Analysis report:
Black is the new red for designer clothing manufacturer Marchpole. Since new brooms Greg Tufnell (chief exec) and Justin Hampshire (finance director) took charge in May 2002 they have instilled a new ethos, turning the underperforming company into an operating supermodel by improving margins and eliminating poorly-performing contracts.

The change has worked wonders, Marchpole unveiling better-than-expected third quarter sales of 4.7m last month, and operating profits of 393,000. This despite the chill wind that has been blowing down the high street for many other retailers.

"With the retail picture uncertain I am delighted that we have completed the autumn/winter season with strong sell-throughs and a fully delivered order book", Tufnell said in a statement.

The company, which designs, makes and sells clothing and accessories for French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and Saville Row tailor Ozwald Boateng, has had to cut its coat according to its cloth. Lack of focus and four boardroom shake-ups in two years saw the company sporting an ugly shade of red last year.

But new management has cut quite a dash since its appointment, putting stability and profits back on the corporate catwalk. An operating deficit of 600,000 in the nine months to December 2002 has turned into a 1.2m profit in the latest figures.

The company's greater flexibility on orders is proving popular with customers too, Debenhams having just signed up to stock Marchpole threads in 10 more of its stores after a successful 'soft-fit' trial.

"The 4th quarter is our strongest and the new season deliveries are progressing well with forward order books for spring/summer now approaching 12m", said Tufnell last month. It's the sort of upbeat comment that is likely to attract a new following among investors.

Yet while the company's turnaround is verging on complete, the ongoing growth story is far from over. Building on its duo of brands remained the key to growing the company and rebuilding shareholder value. So last month's all-share acquisition of the Jean Charles de Castelbajac brand comes as a timely fillip to investors. It gives Marchpole the right to make, market and distribute clothing ranges under the Castelbajac name all over Europe, the Middle East, Japan and South Korea for the next five years.

These markets currently generate something like 10m euros of revenue a year, a target Marchpole should be able to build on with its marketing and distribution muscle. The company expects to launch its debut ranges here in the UK in time for the 2004 autumn/winter season and elsewhere soon after. Marchpole also has plans to expand the brand into China and the US over the next couple of years.

Marchpole issued 12 million new shares to pay for the deal, giving the vendor a 9% stake in the enlarged share capital. But an agreement was signed which prevents the vendor from selling any of its shares for at least two years, which should provide some stability.

Better wholesale and distribution channels also means Marchpole's cashflow is improving. The company would like to return to the dividend list as soon as possible. Having generated 493,000 of cash during the first half of this year, there is reason to hope that regular payments to shareholders could soon become a welcome addition to the investment story.

In the meantime, John Stephenson at house broker Shore Capital, thinks pre-tax profits of around 1.8m likely this year. However, with Castelbajac now on board, Stephenson believes next year's profits will be nearer 3.1m than the 2.4m he previously had pencilled in. That implies earnings of 1.1p a share rising to 1.55p in 2004/5.

As for the shares, they've already enjoyed a decent run lately, but we believe there is more to come. On the above forecasts the shares are trading on 12 times this year's expected earnings, falling to a modest-looking nine next year, against 40%-odd prospective earnings per share growth. If we assumed a 12-times forward rating by this time next year, it could mean the shares trading at well above 20p (based on 2005/6 estimates). That would imply a near 50% jump in the current share price. Buy.

busting the barrier my 'juddi'

I agree md0u i think its an excellent breakout!!

I am piling in on a T-20 on friday, if the the conditions are right, which should see me through to the annoucment of their results in may. My own research confirms your findings, and my broker also agrees

up again :o)

Consolidating and preparing for breakout.MPH proved very successful and know what their doing.On top of capital growth dividend an added bonus.Keep holding and buy the dips.

Its interesting to note MAN Groups trading activity in this stock. On 1st December they held 7.31% of the company. They took profits in Sept but have since returned to their former holding. Of significance is their buying in to this stock around this time last year (7 February 2005). With an RNS due any day now, maybe the fun is about to begin. Good luck!
Stock price History:
Date Open High Low Volume Adj Close
7-Feb-05 28.75 29.00 27.50 1,051,314 28.20
26-Jan-05 27.00 27.00 25.80 479,486 26.80

01 December 2005
For Immediate Release 1 December 2005
MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC
Marchpole announces that it has today received notification from Man Financial
Limited, a member of Man Group PLC, that it is now the beneficial holder of
9,765,000 ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company, representing approximately
7.31 per cent of the Company's issued share capital.

MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC ('Marchpole' or the 'Company')
2 September 2005
Holding in the Company
Marchpole announces that Man Financial Limited, a member of Man Group PLC,
notified Marchpole on 31 August 2005 that it is now the beneficial holder of
8,765,000 ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company, representing approximately
6.57 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.

22 June 2005
Holding in the Company
Marchpole announces that Man Financial Limited, a member of Man Group PLC,
notified Marchpole on 21 June 2005 that it is now the beneficial holder of
9,765,000 ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company, representing approximately
7.31 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.

7 February 2005
13:52
MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC ('Marchpole' or the 'Company')
Holding in the Company
Marchpole received notification today from Man Financial Limited, a member of
Man Group PLC, that it is now the beneficial holder of 8,515,000 ordinary shares
of 1p each in the Company, representing approximately 6.38 per cent. of the
Company's issued share capital.

7 February 2005
07:00
MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC ('Marchpole' or the 'Company')
Holding in the Company
Marchpole announces that following the purchase of 185,000 ordinary shares of 1p
each in the Company ('Ordinary Shares'), Man Financial Limited, a member of Man
Group PLC, notified Marchpole on 25 January 2005 that it is now the beneficial
holder of 5,400,000 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 4.08 per cent.
of the Company's issued share capital.