John Charlton, Chairman, bought 5,000 shares in the company on the 10th April 2012 at a price of 53.00p.
Dr Elaine Bond, Non Executive Director, bought 5,000 shares in the company on the 10th April 2012 at a price of 51.50p.
Anthony Lawrinson, Financial Director, bought 35,000 shares in the company on the 3rd April 2012 at a price of 49.00p.

One of AIM’s former high flyers is looking healthier
http://www.investorschampion.com/blog/entry/international-greetings-aimigr-one-of-aims-former-high-flyers-is-looking-he

Due 10 Dec half year results. Reaping the benefits of restructuring and paying down debt, the 36m cap is expanding with retailers in a number of export markets and sports a fast growing US division which could power positive earnings surprises going forwards. Could trigger upgrades and further share price upside.

The US market is proving more promising. The company has also been investing in product innovation that should help boost sales. A reorganisation of itsmanufacturing has also recently been completed, which will help reduce costs. Priced at Just over seven times EPS, the shares look cheap compared to larger state-side rivals.

Christmas Trading Update
RNS
RNS Number : 7452W
International Greetings PLC
31 January 2013



31 January 2013





International Greetings PLC ("the Company" or "the Group")



Christmas Trading Update





International Greetings PLC, one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers, importers and distributors of gift packaging and greetings, stationery and creative place products announces an update for the third quarter, which covers the Christmas trading period to the end of December 2012.



Overall Christmas results were broadly in line with management expectations and the Group has achieved record levels of sales of gift packaging across all territories.

Our US business has achieved strong sales growth during the period, both domestically and in its expanding Canadian and South American markets. In Europe, we are pleased to see some positive trends coming through, supported by a successful first season of production using our new state of the art gift wrap manufacturing facilities in Holland. Our new Christmas cracker manufacturing facility in China has now completed its first season and we are encouraged at the level of orders secured for crackers from our customers throughout the world, including those with many of the UK's blue chip retailers.

As announced at the Interim Results, a major customer of Artwrap, our joint venture in Australia, went into voluntary administration. However, immediate and effective action was taken to minimise impact on the Group's earnings and we can confirm that there will be no further exceptional costs to the Group beyond the £0.75m provision made at the half year. Management expectations are that Artwrap will contribute less significantly to the headline profit of the Group in the near future.



The Board remains committed to its key twin financial objectives of driving growth in earnings per share and reducing debt which are expected to be in line with expectations.





Paul Fineman, Chief Executive said:

"The Christmas trading period included a number of notable successes in our wholly owned businesses in the US, UK and Continental Europe, which continue to enjoy significant business with the world's leading mass market retailers. We are also seeing encouraging new developments, including the addition of 750 US based customers purchasing our growing offering of high quality, innovative and premium end products.

"We remain confident that our strategy to create a balanced global business, whilst driving efficiencies and seeking out prudent investment opportunities across the Group, places us in a strong position for future growth."

- ENDS-

Preliminary Results

RNS


RNS Number : 4536I

International Greetings PLC

03 July 2013






3rd July 2013

International Greetings PLC



Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2013



International Greetings PLC ('International Greetings' or 'the Group'), one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging and greetings, stationery and creative play products, announces its audited Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2013.



Financial Highlights:


· Revenue from continued operations increased by 2% to £225.2 million


· Operating profit after exceptional items up 34% to £9.1 million (2012: £6.8 million)


· Profit after tax and exceptional items up £2.7 million to £4.1 million (2012: £1.4 million)


· Fully diluted earnings per share before exceptional items increased 16% to 7.8 pence (2012: 6.7 pence)


· Net debt up just £0.2 million to £42.1 million (2012: £41.9 million) despite the effect of exchange rates (£0.6 million) and the investment in working capital to fund new everyday contracts and low season manufacturing opportunities




Operational Highlights:


· Continued double digit growth in sales and profits in USA


· Completion of China factory relocation


· Gift packaging and greetings product sales exceed £150 million


· Major £6 million gift wrap capital investment project commenced in the UK


· Pressure on margins fully mitigated through effective cost control




Paul Fineman, CEO commented:



"We are pleased to report another year of progress in which our manufacturing businesses continued to produce record volumes of product and importantly we achieved our key objective of double digit earnings per share growth.



"It was a pivotal year in the Group's development as we commenced a compelling programme of investment in manufacturing in the USA and the UK having completed a major factory relocation in China and significant investments in Europe and Australia. We have secured increased funding on improved terms to facilitate this.



"Our new three year plan is on track to delivery double digit cumulative average growth in earnings per share, whilst remaining committed to debt reduction and leverage below two times debt/EBITDA. We have identified new opportunities for incremental growth and shall continue to deploy our resources and energy in accelerating and enhancing this process

:-))

up just under 11% today

Been in these for a couple of months now, accumulating slowly as funds permit. They should continue to pick up as we near interim results on 4th December. The trading statement makes it clear that there will be no nasty surprises. These have a long way to travel.

Moving up very nice.

On the roll now.

Very nice indeed. 80p first stop after results if all is as expected. 100p at some point next year.

:-))

Interim Results

RNS


RNS Number : 6124U

International Greetings PLC

04 December 2013






4th December 2013



International Greetings PLC ("the Company" or "the Group")

Interim Results



International Greetings PLC, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging and greetings, stationery and creative play products, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2013.



Financial highlights




· Sales in line with expectations at £113.6 million (2012 H1: £115.2million), reflecting the phasing of deliveries to customer requirements, resulting in H2 weighting


· Gross margin improved to 19.0% (2012 H1:18.4%)


· Operating profit before exceptional items up £0.1 million at £5.3 million (2012 H1: £5.2 million)


· Profit before tax and exceptional items up 7.9% to £3.5 million (2012 H1: £3.3 million)


· Profit before tax in line with expectations at £1.7 million (2012 H1: £2.5 million) after planned exceptional costs of £1.8 million in respect of our new investment in Wales completed to planned timescales, costs and service levels.(2012 H1: £0.75 million)


· Debt reduction programme remains on track with net debt level at £84.8 million (2012 H1: £84.6 million) including the capital investment in Wales




Operational highlights




· Manufacturing season in China successfully completed on time and fully to customer requirements




· Strong manufacturing efficiencies and volume gains achieved in Europe following investment last year




· Investment programme in Wales remains on track and on budget


· Completed renegotiation of US banking facilities with Sun Trust on improved terms, building on improvements achieved with HSBC in April 2013




· Granted Royal Warrant for Gift Wrap, in addition to established Royal Warrant for Christmas crackers


· Robust order book for the full year 2013/14, in line with expectations




Paul Fineman, Chief Executive said:



"The first half of the year has seen a number of positive operational developments across the Group and we are pleased to report that all regions traded profitably during the period, with notable improved performance in the UK and Europe and a strong order book in the USA.



"We are particularly pleased to note the record levels of gift wrap production and profitable sales growth in Europe following the investment in our new, high definition printing facilities, which underpinned this success. This bodes well for the recently commenced project to bring similar technology to our gift wrap plant in Wales. This exciting initiative is on track and on budget to be operational in the Spring of 2014.



"We are confident that the Group remains well placed to meet the needs of our customers, whilst continuing to provide excellent customer service and innovation. We have a strong order book and are on course to deliver targeted growth in underlying earnings per share, whilst continuing to remain focussed on reducing leverage."

Edison report today - Valuation: Still below reasonable value
The share price has recovered from the ‘disappointment’ at the announcement of
the additional investment programme in the summer and the related delay in the
return to the dividend list. However, it still stands at a substantial discount to all
relevant valuation metrics – comparison to (an admittedly shrunken) peer group,
DCF with conservative assumptions on top-line growth or underlying published
assets – which indicate an underlying value in the 84-88p range. As the market
becomes more confident that the level of debt will diminish, the substantial discount
should start to close more quickly.

IC today - And judging by the latest results, trading is heading in the right direction - the underlying pre-tax profit was up 8 per cent in the six months to September. Exceptional costs related to investment in manufacturing will dissipate next year as the benefits from these investments start to be come through. As such, management believes it can achieve double digit underlying annual EPS growth over the next three years. Yet the shares, which have doubled since the summer, still trade on just 7 times Edison's underlying EPS forecast of 9.1p for the current financial year dropping to just 6 times the underlying 10.3p the broker has pencilled in for the year to the end of March 2015. That's too low for a company with such good recovery prospects.

International Greetings PLC (IGR:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 69.00. Over this period, the share price is up 22.67%.

Thank you IC. What a dream tip when you are already fully loaded! Well worth the subscription! :-))

:-))

Another good day

Yes indeed. It must surely draw breath now after such a rise in two days. Lovely to be fully loaded and already in profit when this sort of thing happens.

LOL, I remember him well, 'loadsamoney'.

Breath duly drawn. Another 'up' day tomorrow, please.

Edison- The share price performance has been improving with the management’s growing record of delivering on large projects and progress in bringing down the debt. We still see further upside based on our DCF and the value of the underlying business assets, which indicate a range of 84-88p.

Sale of non-licensed division of Alligator Books

RNS


RNS Number : 1805Z

International Greetings PLC

04 February 2014






4th February 2014

International Greetings PLC (the "Group")
Completion of sale of non-licensed division of Alligator Books



International Greetings PLC, one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers, importers and distributors of gift packaging and greetings, stationery and creative play products announces the completion of the sale, to management, of the non-licensed segment of Alligator Books. Alligator Books is a trading division of International Greeting's UK based subsidiary business Anker; Anker will retain and develop the larger, licensed segment of Alligator Books.

The transaction, comprising the sale of the business IP and assets of the non-licensed segment of Alligator Books, will result in an immediate cash inflow of £0.6m, with a further opportunity of phased payments totaling up to £0.5m to be received by the end of January 2015.

The transaction will have a modest impact on the Group's short term profitability, mitigated by synergy benefits within Anker. Under the terms of the transaction, the Group will provide logistics services to the Purchaser, for a minimum period of 3 years. This is expected to generate over £1m of revenue during the period, also therefore mitigating otherwise potentially lost contribution. Additionally, agreement has also been reached with the Purchaser for the Group to cost effectively utilise intellectual property within the non-licensed division in markets outside of the UK.

The sale of the non-licensed segment reflects the Group's strategy to focus on product categories with scope for profitable growth and ongoing commitment to reduce debt and improve leverage.



- Ends-

Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 3677F

International Greetings PLC

24 April 2014






24th April 2014



INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS PLC



('International Greetings' or 'The Group')



Trading Update



International Greetings Plc, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging, greetings, stationery and creative play products is pleased to today announce a trading update in relation to the 12 months ended 31 March 2014.



The Group's progress during the year has been encouraging and the Board is pleased to confirm that overall trading was in line with expectations. In particular, our focus on leverage and overall debt reduction across the Group has produced an outcome ahead of current market expectations.



Investments in capital projects, which shall create important future efficiencies in manufacturing operations, have proceeded on time and on budget.



The advantage of the Group's diverse revenue streams and geographic spread to combat varying market conditions, has again been demonstrated this year. During the period, the Group experienced excellent growth within our European business, whilst extreme weather conditions during the winter in the USA provided unprecedented challenges in an otherwise pleasing trading environment.



We are pleased with the development of our order book in the current year. This reflects the increasingly closer ties that we have nurtured with our growing global customer base, our focus on excellent customer service and an innovative, commercially successful product offering.





- Ends-

Nothing there to scare the horses dreamcatcher. 'Outcome ahead of current market expectations' is just what I wanted to read.

Starting to yield results according to this weeks Shares.

Acquisition of Enper Giftwrap

RNS


RNS Number : 9249I

International Greetings PLC

05 June 2014






5th June 2014



INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS PLC ('The Group')



Acquisition of Enper Giftwrap





International Greetings Plc, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging, greetings, stationery and creative play products is pleased to announce today that through its business in Europe ('IG Europe'), it has signed a contract to acquire the trade and certain of the assets of Enper Giftwrap BV for approximately € 1.9 million with the majority of the purchase price representing usable fixed assets and stock. Enper is a gift-wrap manufacturer in the Netherlands servicing Northern European with sales of € 5 million and this acquisition will allow IG Europe to widen its customer base and further strengthen its market position in a core product category.



Completion is expected to take place at the end of June and IG Europe then plans over the ensuing 3 months to discontinue manufacturing operations at Enper's site and integrate the customer base into its own state-of-the-art facilities at Hoogeveen. This will involve some relocation of fixed assets but the printing capacity for the 2015 season can be accommodated more cost effectively within IG Europe's existing capability, following investment in 2012 in new high definition printing equipment.



The cash payback on the investment should be between 3 and 4 years, with synergies on the combined customer base arising mainly from 2015 onwards due to the seasonal nature of the business.



Group CEO Paul Fineman said 'This acquisition is a compelling and carefully considered 'bolt on' opportunity for International Greetings in Europe, increasing our scale close to home in a financially attractive manner and in a market that we consider to be core to what we do.'







- Ends-

The market seems to approve.

Preliminary Results

RNS


RNS Number : 1523L

International Greetings PLC

02 July 2014






2 July, 2014



International Greetings PLC



Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2014



International Greetings PLC ('International Greetings' or 'the Group'), one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging and greetings, social expression giftware, stationery and creative play products, announces its audited Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2014.



Financial Highlights:


· Revenue at £224.5 million after rationalisation of some non-core activities in the UK


· Profit before tax, exceptional items and LTIP charges up 4% to £7.6 million (2013: £7.3 million)


· Gross margin slightly up on prior year at 18.4% (2013: 18.3%)


· Fully diluted earnings per share before exceptional items increased 6.4% to 8.3 pence (2013: 7.8 pence)


· Cash generated from operations before exceptional items up 101% at £15.2 million (2013: £7.5 million)


· Net debt down 12.3% to £36.9 million (2013: £42.1 million) and leverage down 0.4 times to 2.4 times despite major capital investment programme of £8.3 million (2013: £1.9 million)




Operational Highlights:


· Profits in Continental Europe up over 100% reflecting progress achieved since upgrade of gift wrap production facilities in Holland in 2012


· Major capital upgrade of our gift wrap manufacturing facilities in Wales remain on time and on budget


· Growth achieved with internet based retailers, including the introduction of new products through Ocado and Amazon


· Excellent year of production and service levels from relocated factory in China


· Withdrawal from non-core generic book activity in UK


· Royal Warrant granted to the Tom Smith brand of gift wrapping products




Post period end event:


· Acquisition of trade and certain assets of Enper Gift Wrap BV for €1.9 million, in June, 2014, providing further commercial and operational opportunities in European markets




Paul Fineman, CEO commented:

"We are pleased to report a strong year in which all our operating regions traded profitably and delivered excellent cash generation. This was achieved whilst continuing to invest in the Group's infrastructure, to enable us to deliver enhanced future performance. In particular, the transformation of our UK based gift wrap manufacturing operation in Wales marked the completion of the second phase of upgrading our global gift wrap production facilities. This strategic initiative began in Holland in 2012 and has underpinned our strong progress in Continental Europe.



"Our recent acquisition of the trade and certain assets of Enper Gift Wrap, demonstrates our determination to identify new opportunities for profitable incremental growth. As we enter the second year of our new three year plan, we are on plan to deliver double digit cumulative average growth in earnings per share and are ahead of schedule to meet our commitment to reduce debt and leverage below two times debt/EBITDA. We look forward to the future with confidence."

International Greetings on track to meet targets as annual profits rise

Wed, 02 July 2014


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International Greetings Quote more






Price: 75.00

Chg: 0.00

Chg %: 0.00%

Date: 13:54



FTSE AIM All-Share Quote


Price: 784.47 Chg: -2.85 Chg %: -0.36% Date: 15:02

Gift packaging, cards and stationery group International Greetings reported a small rise in profits in the year to March 31st with all operating regions trading profitably.

Revenues slipped 0.3% to £224.5m due to currency movements, but adjusted profit before tax increased by 4% to £7.6m, while adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were up 6.4% at 8.3p.

The company said the Continental Europe region more than doubled profits, reflecting its upgrade of gift wrap production facilities in Holland in 2012. Europe accounts for 15% of group sales.

Meanwhile, the major upgrade of its gift wrap manufacturing facilities in Wales remains on time and on budget, it said.

International Greetings said that it remains on track to meet its three-year plan to deliver double-digit EPS growth. It is now entering the second year of the plan.

Chief Executive Paul Fineman said the company delivered a "strong year" and the board "look[s] forward to the future with confidence".

"As we enter the second year of our new three year plan, we are on plan to deliver double digit cumulative average growth in earnings per share and are ahead of schedule to meet our commitment to reduce debt and leverage below two times [operating profits]."

Net debt reduced by 12% to £36.9m during the year, while leverage fell from 2.8 times to 2.4 times.

The stock was up 8% at 81p in early trading on Wednesday.

Looks good to me. Importantly, the business is starting to throw off lots of cash to allow it to reduce borrowings. The high levels of debt have been holding back the share price, so an improvement should spark a rerating as well as delivering as resumption of dividends.

Pre Close Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 4341U

International Greetings PLC

16 October 2014






16 October, 2014

International Greetings PLC (the "Group")

Pre Close Trading Update

International Greetings PLC, one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging and greetings, stationery and creative play products, announces the following trading update.



The Board is pleased to confirm trading for the six month period to 30 September is in line with expectations. The order books in all geographies are pleasing with the Group's net debt reflecting the usual working capital build associated with this in the run up to the Christmas trading period.



Specific highlights for the period include:



· The Group's investment programme at its gift wrap manufacturing operations in Wales is nearing completion on time and on budget. The new facility was officially opened by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in Spring, 2014.



· The integration of the Enper business (acquired 1 July 2014) with the Group's Dutch manufacturing operations is fully on track.



· Excellent customer response to new licensed products, including creative play ranges of 'Frozen' from Disney.



· UK based customers purchasing Christmas crackers in record volumes. The Group's China based manufacturing facility has provided excellent fulfilment and product standards in this category whilst simultaneously increasing output of gift bags and gift cards.

The Group will publish its Interim Results for the six months ended 30th September 2014 on 3rd December 2014

- Ends-

shares - Earnings are improving and financial risk is reducing at International Greetings. At 72p, the shares appear unduly unloved and improving cash generation, deleveraging and dividends offer re-rating catalysts.

International Greetings shares rise as financials seen ahead of expectations

By Jamie Ashcroft

April 21 2015, 9:07am
On AIM, International Greetings shares were up 10.5p, 12.6%, trading at 93.5p.

Shares in International Greetings (LON:IGR) advanced in early deals after it said financial results, for the year to March 31, would be ahead of expectations.

The design and gift packaging firm, which licenses characters and brands from Disney as well as other kids TV and movies, told investors it had an excellent operating performance.

Lower financial costs and improved tax rates helped, and the company said it expects earnings per share to be significantly enhanced.

The company said it comfortably achieved its key target of reducing its debt to earnings ratio to below two times.

It now anticipates the reinstate dividends, with a final dividend planned for the year.

On AIM, International Greetings shares were up 10.5p, 12.6%, trading at 93.5p.

Yesterday was a good day to be an IGR shareholder. This still has a long way to travel. I've upped my target price from £1 to £1.20.

Superb set of numbers from IGR today. Divi restored, Earning up, Borrowings down, Forecast double digit growth. What's not to like.
If we assume EPS of just 13p and put IGR on a modest forward PE of just 12 then we are looking at a target price of 156p. Upgrades to come and hopefully, some positive press comment.