As Diginty is new to the martkets and the first funeral services company to be floated, what are your views on its future potential?

There appears to be little data on which to ascertain a valuation.

I don't suppose we are going to run out of dead people!

One of only two blue arrows on my portfolio today.

Company reported in line with expectations:

Group turnover for the 13 week period ended 26 March 2004 increased by 6.6% to
37.3 million (2003: 35.0 million).

Profit before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items
increased by 17.2% to 14.3 million (2003: 12.2 million).

Yep, that's about all I know too. I'm not to eager to jump in yet, I'd rather let it find its feet first. My luck it'll find its feet far higher than it is at present.

LONDON (AFX) - Buyers came for Dignity (DTY) after Panmure Gordon told clients to 'buy' and stepped up its price target to 365 pence from 320 in the wake of what the broker described as a 'very impressive' site visit.

Share price has risen by a third in 6 months.

See website (investors page) at www.dignityfuneralsplc.co.uk/dignity/corporate/index.jsp

Super chart ">

Edit: Why hasn't it worked? Thought I had followed the instructions. Obviously had not.

Let's try again



Success!!

TOK,

I have just edited your post and chart should be fine now.

Ian

Thanks Ian. And I thought I had done it all by myself. Never mind, it's still a super chart.

They charge about 30% more than Co-Op for a basic funeral plan, so a good bit of that should be profit. imho.....Graeme.

Excellent results today !

solid results - any update on forecasts for next year anyone - for me a steady climber with positive chart - hopefully 450p plus this time next year - happy to keep tucked away and shares should now resume a climb back to their high. shares mag should I expect make some positive comment next week as well.

Moving towards that 450p mark.

441.75 on the bid. Lots of people are buying and tucking away.

Funeral services provider Dignity issues its first quarter results which will see the company going up against some strong comparative figures from a year earlier. As such, Panmure Gordon is expecting "a flat YOY [year-on-year] performance." "We are forecasting revenues of £60.5m, which is +2.4% ahead of the £59.1m delivered last year, with flat EBIT [earnings before interest and tax] of £22.6m YOY," Panmure Gordon revealed, adding that the first quarter typically accounts for 28% of annualised revenues and nearly 35% of EBIT, so sets the tone for the year.

Broker Views
09-May-12 Panmure Gordon Buy 838.00p 955.00p - Reiteration

Where have you dug this up from DC???? (sorry about the pun). The way the markets are going it would be worth a lot of relations of share holders investing in this company. They can't loose.

I was waiting for the comments 3m :-)) May need their services soon if Range does not pick up.

Trading Statement
14 May 12 Dignity PLC [DTY]

You didn't have to wait long DC did you?? Range and a load of others - off the subject good old BT told me yesterday that I would have traffic lights outside my house from 8.00 a.m. this morning for 8 hours, also went on the BT's faults web page to read that from 8.08 a.m. this morning an engineer would be working on the fault - same shit I have had since 13th April, same as my neice has been told. Guess what nobody and nothing, been awake since 2.00 a.m. this morning, head completely done in now so the coffin makers may be here sooner than later. Have a good weekend. Have you got shares with the above?

This is one of a couple of companies reporting next week , I did not even know they are a funeral service company. You can learn something every day. Sorry to hear of the ongoing probs, not funny. Good weekend 3m

The group said that while the year started relatively quietly, the business has been noticeably busier in March compared to the previous year


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4368228

Probably due to RRL Holders DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started so ive finished with the update. Was March a bad month then for rrl holders cannot remember.

The last year I would suggest.

Dignity underlying pre-tax profits up 11.3%
StockMarketWire.com
Underlying pre-tax profits at funeral-related services provider Dignity rose by 11.3% to £27.5m in the 26 weeks to 29 June.

Revenues were 8.2% up at £116.5m and underlying operating profits were 8% higher at £39.2m.

Basic earnings per share rose by 14.5% to 38.7p and the interim dividend is up 10% at 5.36p per share from 4.87p last time.



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4418146

Investec called the report “another strong set of results”, which it said was due to a combination of the death rate and a robust average spend, and raised its target price on the stock to 1,038 pence per share from 992 pence previously.



http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/46243/investec-raises-dignity-target-price-after-strong-interim-results-46243.html

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2181939/Cold-winter-helped-funeral-firm-Dignity-post-profits-rise.html

Should rise this week with RRL holders. :-))

At an all time high today

Trading statement Monday 12 Nov

Interim management statement quarter three 2012

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4481981

Dignity prospers from funerals
Mon 12 Nov 2012

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Funeral service provider Dignity’s third quarter results demonstrate that death in the UK is still a growth business if you know how to cater for it.

Revenues of £169.4m for the third quarter were up 8.7% on the same period a year previously, while underlying profit was 10.3% ahead at £53.4m. Much of this was driven by pre-arranged funeral plan sales, and it expects the pre-arranged funeral business to continue to make progress next year.

Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity commented: “Our outlook for 2012 remains positive and our overall expectations for 2013 remain unchanged."

During the year Dignity has increased its number of crematoria from 35 to 37 and growth is even more marked in its funeral business.

Since the group's last results announcement on July 31st 2012, 10 funeral locations have been acquired (for an investment of £5.6m) and nine new satellite locations have been opened. This brings the total number of funeral locations acquired to 18 (for a total investment of £10.8m) and new satellite locations opened to 18 since the start of the year.

The only negative was provided by the comment that “The trust funds should remain fully funded despite historically low bond yields. However, any improvement in marketing profit in 2013 may be offset by a reduction in or cancellation of recoveries of surplus from the trusts. Such recoveries have been £1.5m in each of the last six years.”

Dignity: Panmure Gordon raises target from 1,070p to 1,100p, buy rating kept; Investec raises target from 1,038p to 1,080p, buy rating kept.

Positive broker comments after the 12 Nov trading update has given the sp its rise.
Premium -quality defensive stock with plenty of room for growth and high cash generation.

Income is important to investors when cash savers get next to nothing from bank or building society deposit accounts. Companies that offer dividend growth and payouts that are well convered by freshly-generated earnings (as opposed to retained earnings) will be rewarded in the present economic climate. Dignity(DTY) being one.

Acquisitions in a fragmented industry offer scope for earnings upgrades and Dignity's recent upbeat third-quarter trading missive (12 Nov) highlighted ongoing expansion.

These seem to have risen from the dead.. So to speak -):

Put this rise down to being tipped in the shares mags over the last few weeks.
Even one of the writers last week added that investors are not even looking into the companies they buy, just going blind on what they read. Suits me.

Rising nice and steady.

Never seen this one gain 3% :-))

A nice 19,200 buy after hrs.

New all time high

Tipped as the ultimate defensive play in shares mag for 2013. The company being in the market cap above £500 million. As death follows taxes as one of lifes two certainties.

Business boasting enviable pricing power and the predictable cashflows to underpin
progressive dividend payouts should be highly prized in 2013 as economic growth remains sluggish. One exemplar is Dignity (DTY) the only listed funeral services
provider which remains well worth pocketing in spite of a strong share price advance in 2012. Dignity operates in an industry which remains fragmented and has a great opportunity to grab market share. Given its operational gearing additional volumes delivered through organic means and acquisitive expansion should help drive forecast upgrades in 2013 and beyond.
One pertential wrinkle is 2012's 1.4% year on year rise in deaths to 285,000 in Great Britain for the first half of 2012, according to the office of National Stastistics.
That kind of increase is unusual and a decline in mortality rates can be expected in 2013. Nevertheless Dignity can contend with any dip thanks to the enviable client satisfaction levels it delivers. Over 99% of clients say the company's services meet or exceed expectations upon receipt of the final invoice. This is encouraging , since around three quarters of the funeral business is generated through recommendations.
For the year to December, Peel Hunt's Charles Hall looks for 8.2% growth in taxable profits to £45 million and 10.2% growth in earnings to 60.4p per share, with a 10.3% dividend hike to 16.1p pencilled in. Despite expectations of a death rate dip in 2013 , the analyst is still looking for improved profits , earnings and dividends of £49 million, 65.2p and 17.7p respectively. While Dignity's shares are not exactly cheap, the group offers a secure dividend, covered 3.8 times by estimated earnings, not to mention the added attraction of further chunky capital returns. Dignity returned
£63.9 million to investors back in 2010 and after the raising of £87.1 million through the issue of further secured notes , is likely to mull over another return of capital in 2013.

Steve Clayton, analyst, Mirabaud Securities

FTSE 100 close: 6500

Stock to follow: Dignity (1090p)

"Death and taxes, as they say. Taxes keep going up, driving more of us toward Dignity. The group's pre-sold funeral plans are helping it to win market share in an industry where competition is genteel and margins are high, because, after all, no one haggles. Later in 2013, we expect the market will focus on Dignity's ability to make a further return of capital, which could enhance shareholder returns rather meaningfully. With a very predictable top-line outlook, Dignity is a high-quality growth stock that investors should aim to be a shareholder in, not a customer of…"

Dignity: Panmure Gordon takes target price from 1100p to 1280p still recommending to buy

Acquisition of Yew Holdings Limited and Placing

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4523867

Dignity: Panmure Gordon ups target price from 1280p to 1312p and maintains its buy recommendation.

The market likes this mornings news.

Dignity: Numis revises target price from 1130p to 1250p and downgrades to add.

Grief! Look at the low-yield and now they are spending shareholder funds AND creating dilution....Yikes!

Not one I would suggest buying into now. Its climbed very hard since last summer..

:-))

Any shareholder perks? - I'll get me coat!

I want 4 black horses and a carriage lol. You can only do it once. lol

I think you will find its not 4% dilution when the new shares are placed.

The market has liked the takeover news.

Dignity: N+1 Singer ups target price from 1096p to 1287p still recommending to buy.

:-))

Investors seem to be dying to get in this one, not pausing for breath.

Dignity schedules FY results
StockMarketWire.com
Dignity will announce its preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 28 December on 6 March.

At 3:01pm: (LON:DTY) Dignity share price was -3p at 1225p

Still pushing north.

On Wednesday, Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) closed at 1,257, 1.23% below its 52-week high of 1,272.7, set on Feb 11, 2013.




Consensus recommendation

As of Feb 25, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 7 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc.
.


http://markets.ft.com/research/Markets/Tearsheets/Forecasts?s=DTY:LSE

A buy in this weeks shares mag - N+1 Singer expects next weeks (6 Mar) results for calendar 2012 to reveal 10.5% growth in taxable profits to £46 million and a 13% earnings per share(EPS) advance to 62.1p. For this year, the broker believes Dignity can drive EPS 12.5% higher to 69.8p. Dignity does trade on a punchy prospective price/earnings ratio of more than 17 times but secure distributions, potential earnings upgrades and scope for further chunky cash return all more than justify the rating.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,305. Over this period, the share price is up 60.57%.

Preliminary results


Highlights

· Strong operating performance by all three operating divisions;

· Profits continue to be converted to cash;

· Funeral operations continue to deliver very high levels of customer satisfaction. Having received the final invoice, 99 per cent of families say we met or exceeded their expectations and 98 per cent say they would recommend us;

· £10.6 million invested to acquire 18 funeral locations during the period;

· 19 satellite locations opened within the funeral business and the project as a whole, which commenced in 2010, broke even in the year in line with the project plan;

· Two crematoria became operational in 2012; and

· Another strong year of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 290,000.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4549561

Dignity: Panmure Gordon raises target price from 1312p to 1555p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Investec takes target price from 1177p to 1404p keeping a buy recommendation.

Dignity delivers progress across the board
Wed 06 Mar 2013


LONDON (SHARECAST) - FTSE 250 funeral homes group Dignity reported progress from each of its three operating divisions in its preliminary results for the year ended December 28th.

Underlying profit before tax rose 11% to £46.1m (2011: £41.6m) on revenues of £229.6m, up from £210.1m a year earlier.

Underlying earnings per share climbed 14% from 55.1p to 62.8p, while basis earnings per share came in at 65.1p (2011: 62.6p).

The interim dividend was increased 10% from 4.87p to 5.36p, giving a total dividend of 10.75p (2011: 9.77p).

During the period the company invested £10.6m on the acquisition of 18 funeral locations, while two creatoria also became operational during the period.

Mike McCollum, the Chief Executive of Dignity, said: "I am pleased with the performance of the group. Client satisfaction remains exceptionally high, underlying operating profits increased eight per cent and underlying earnings per share increased 14%. Each operating division has made good progress in the year and is well placed for the future.

"The board remains confident in the group's prospects and its expectations for 2013 remain positive and unchanged."

The share price rose 0.15% to 1,301p by 09:20.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,366. Over this period, the share price is up 68.23%.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,412. Over this period, the share price is up 72.85%.As of Mar 09, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 7 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,439. Over this period, the share price is up 70.33%

lol

As of Mar 15, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 7 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc.

Dignity: N+1 Singer downgrades to hold with a target price of 1287p.



As of Mar 22, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 7 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc

As of Mar 25, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 8 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc

Dignity mentioned in the Independent today;

The City's weather-watchers yesterday said it was time for shares in pothole fillers, travel companies, funeral providers and coat sellers to warm up on the back of the freezing conditions. The extended winter climate gave Peel Hunt's scribblers a chance to pick likely success stories. The Scottish road mender Breedon Aggregates, holiday groups Thomas Cook and Tui Travel, funeral provider Dignity and fashion company Supergroup were among their predicted winners.

Thanks d4.

A buy in this weeks Shares mag, along with several shares under the heading rich pickings.

Dignity: Investec takes target price from 1401p to 1424p, but downgrades from buy to add.

Dignity plc
Preliminary results for the 52 week period ended 28 December 2012


http://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/corporate/files/reports/2013/Dignity_2012_Preliminary_announcement.pdf

As of Apr 26, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 6 polled investment analysts covering Dignity Plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts improved on Jul 01, 2012. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to hold their position in Dignity Plc

Share price forecast




The 5 analysts offering 12 month price targets for Dignity Plc have a median target of 1,424, with a high estimate of 1,625 and a low estimate of 1,150. The median estimate represents a 1.71% increase from the last price of 1,400

Q1 management statement

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4592898

Funeral group Dignity reports first quarter revenue growth
Mon 13 May 2013



Funeral group Dignity reports first quarter revenue growth LONDON (SHARECAST) - Funeral services company Dignity reported an 11 per cent jump in first quarter revenue as the number of deaths rose seven per cent.

Revenue for the three months to end of March came to £67.8m, compared to £61.1m the previous year.

Underlying operating profit climbed 8.5% to £25.4m from the prior year’s £23.4m.

The group said the overall performance was ahead of management’s expectations, driven by a higher number of deaths compared to the same period in 2012.

In January, the firm completed the acquisition of Yew Holdings, a business including 40 funeral locations and two crematoriums.

The newly purchased business is trading in line with forecasts and integration is on track. However, it has diluted the overall growth in average income per funeral in the first quarter as anticipated.

The company has also purchased one other funeral location and opened seven satellite locations since the start of the year.

"This is a good performance by the group with the first quarter being ahead of our expectations," said Chief Executive Officer, Mike McCollum.

"The integration of Yew Holdings is progressing well and the initial performance is encouraging. All three divisions of the business are performing strongly. Our outlook remains positive and our full year expectations are unchanged."

Shares fell 0.14% to 1,444p at 08:48 Monday.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,462. Over this period, the share price is up 69.17%.

Dignity: Panmure Gordon ups target price from 1555p to 1600p leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Investec takes target price from 1424p to 1450p and maintains an add rating.

A buy in this weeks IC - A 7% rise in the number of deaths in the first three months of this year has pushed funeral director Dignity's overall performance ahead of managements expectations. Revenue in the first quarter rose 11% to £67.8m, while underlying operating profit, excluding recoveries, increased by 16% to £25.4m

Ex dividend 22 May, payment 28 June 10.75p

Questor share tip: Hold Dignity on special dividend hopes
TelegraphTelegraph – 16 hours ago...

Dignity (LSE: DTY.L - news) continues with its buy and build strategy. Questor says hold.

Dignity £14.62 +16p Questor says HOLD

It requires a degree of tact for Dignity, the only listed UK funeral director and crematoria operator, to report that the year has started well for the business, but overall performance is running ahead of expectations because the prolonged bout of bad weather has taken its toll and increased burials and cremations.

The number of deaths in the first quarter was 7pc higher than the same period a year ago, with the result that Dignity's first quarter revenues were up 11pc at £67.8m and underlying operating profit 16pc higher at £25.4m. For the rest of the year Dignity expects the number of deaths, and consequently business, to "normalise".

Dignity has grown rapidly since making its market debut in 2004 with a series of acquisitions that have made the group second only to the Co op as the country's biggest funeral operator. The fragmented nature of an unregulated market heavily populated by family businesses has made it relatively easy and cheap for Dignity to consolidate without straining the balance sheet.

The formula is simple: acquisitions followed by cost cutting and integration.

The latest deal, the £58.3m takeover of Yew Holdings, which has 40 funeral locations and two crematoria, has temporarily clipped growth in funeral income but price rises pushed through last year should see an increase of around 5pc. Cremation revenue is up 6pc on the back of higher charges.

Burial and cremation costs remain a constant source of complaint. Calls for controls or regulation have so far had limited impact but Dignity appears relaxed at the prospect of intervention or some element of supervision.

The group has encouraged the promotion of pre arranged funeral plans as the third leg of its business, to cushion the cost of burials or cremation. Strong sales growth has increased the number of people covered by the schemes to around 300,000.

Over the past eight years the number of Dignity funeral homes has grown from 507 to 680 and the crematoria under its control from 21 to 39. There are more acquisitions to come, although analysts are expecting to see more emphasis on the growth of satellite locations.

The shares, up more than 30pc so far this year and almost 70pc over the past year, have had a good run. They are trading on a 20.54 earnings multiple this year and 18.24 next and, with the price ahead of the average analyst's target of 1422.4p, there is a temptation to take profits.

But, with Investec (LSE: INVP.L - news) predicting a 100p special dividend by the end of the year and nudging its price target to 1450p, the shares remain a hold.

Dignity schedules interims 28 June 2013 | 15:24pm StockMarketWire.com - Dignity will announce its interim results for the 26 week period to 28 June on 31 July. At 3:24pm: [LON:DTY] Dignity share price was +13p at 1362p - See more at: http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/4622896/Dignity-schedules-interims.html#sthash.N6U0seAh.dpuf

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,483. Over this period, the share price is up 81.96%.

I never did get around to these!!!

You will need the services one day skinny, rather later than sooner. :-))

A mention here.

Thanks skinny.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,509. Over this period, the share price is up 86.76%.

Flying - Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,562. Over this period, the share price is up 92.48%.

Issue of Preliminary Prospectus by Dignity Finance

RNS


RNS Number : 6633J

Dignity PLC

18 July 2013










For immediate release 18 July 2013

Dignity plc

Issue of Preliminary Prospectus by Dignity Finance PLC

Intended cash return to shareholders

Dignity plc ('Dignity' or the 'Group') announces that its subsidiary, Dignity Finance PLC has today issued a Preliminary Prospectus in respect of a potential issue of further Secured Notes.

It is the Group's intention to issue further Class A Notes with an outstanding nominal amount of up to £34.3million and further Class B Notes with an outstanding nominal amount of up to £40.8million (the 'Notes'). The actual proceeds raised from the Notes will depend on the market price and market conditions at the time of any issue. The closing market bid price on 17 July was approximately 119.1% for the Class A notes and approximately 136.9% for the Class B notes.

The Group has decided to take advantage of historically low interest rates which may not be available in the future. The nominal amount of new Notes offered is consistent with maintaining the existing A+/ BBB+ and A/BBB ratings by the two rating agencies who monitor Dignity's Notes, as required under the terms of the Notes.

If the Notes are issued at a similar premium to the price of the Notes on 17 July 2013 then the gross proceeds of the issue will be approximately £95million. As a consequence of the issue of Notes, the Board plans to repay the £34million term loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland obtained to partly finance the acquisition of Yew Holdings Limited in January 2013. £1million is also expected to be paid to the Group's defined benefit pension scheme. The Group then expects, after an allowance for fees, to have sufficient funds available to return approximately £1 per share to shareholders. If these Notes are issued, the Group does not intend to pay a separate interim dividend.

Any decision to issue further Secured Notes will be subject to market conditions prevailing at the time and the issue of a Prospectus by Dignity Finance PLC, as defined in Article 5.4 of Directive 2003/71/EC. The Preliminary Prospectus is an advertisement and does not comprise a prospectus for the purposes of EU Directive 2003/71/EC. The Preliminary Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Dignity Finance PLC.

Whilst there can be no guarantee that further Secured Notes will be issued, or if issued, at what price, it is currently expected that an announcement regarding the pricing of the Secured Notes will be made on 19 July 2013 and that the subscription agreement will be executed by 23 July 2013.

The Group will make further announcements as appropriate.

Pricing of further Secured Notes


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4635543

Special divi payable in October would be £1.08.
Worth thinking about if buying now. There will be no interinm
divi but that would have been about 5p historically.

Notice of General Meeting and Issue of Prospectus

RNS


RNS Number : 8783J

Dignity PLC

22 July 2013












For immediate release 22 July 2013

Dignity plc

Notice of General Meeting of Dignity plc and Issue of Prospectus by Dignity Finance PLC

Further to the announcement on 19 July 2013, Dignity plc is pleased to confirm that the subscription agreement for the issue of further Secured Notes has been executed. Dignity Finance PLC has also today issued a Prospectus in respect of the issue of further Secured Notes.

The Group will post a circular to shareholders on 23 July 2013, including a notice of general meeting. The notice sets out resolutions which, if passed, will give shareholders the ability to receive the £1.08 per share cash return either in the form of a dividend or return of capital. Copies of the circular may be obtained from the Group's investor website www.dignityfuneralsplc.co.uk. The meeting will be held on 8 August 2013 at 11.00am.

The Prospectus confirms the pricing and quantum of the new Secured Notes at the levels announced on 19 July 2013 and the circular confirms the Group's intention to return £61.9 million, equating to £1.08 per share to its shareholders. The Dignity Group also confirms that as a result of this intended return, no interim dividend will be paid.

Commenting on the issue of further Secured Notes and the proposed return of value, Mike McCollum, Chief Executive said:

'This transaction demonstrates the Group's ability to use the stable, cash generative nature of the business to support an efficient capital structure and generate additional value for our shareholders.'

Circular relating to proposed Return of Cash

RNS


RNS Number : 9830J

Dignity PLC

24 July 2013












For immediate release 24 July 2013



Dignity plc (the "Company")

Circular relating to proposed Return of Cash

Further to the announcement made on Monday 22 July 2013 the Company confirms that the circular relating to the Company's proposed return of cash, including notice of the general meeting of shareholders to be held on 8 August 2013, has been posted to shareholders. A copy of the circular has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM.

Interim Results

Funeral operator Dignity achieves higher half-year profit

Wed, 31 July 2013

UK funeral services provider Dignity unveiled a 17.6 per cent increase in pre-tax profit in the first half to 32m pounds, buttressed by a 5.6 per cent rise in the number of deaths.

Revenue in the 26 weeks to June 28th jumped 14.3% to £133.2m while underlying earnings per share rose 17.6% to £44m.

Underlying operating profits came to £45.3m, up 15.6% and slightly ahead of the company’s expectations.

The group said funeral operations have performed strongly, with client satisfaction high and average incomes robust.

The crematoria division experienced volume growth as recently opened locations continue to mature.

While the number of pre-arranged funeral plan sales were slightly down on the prior year, good cost control resulted in operating profit before recoveries growing year on year.

Since the acquisition of Yew Holdings in January, the business achieved operating profits of £2.1m in line with expectations.

Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity, said: "The first half of 2013 has seen a strong operating performance from our established operations and our largest single acquisition. Since the period end, we have announced a proposed third return of cash since flotation.

“The group remains on track to achieve the board's expectations for the full year."

No interim dividend was issued due to its fundraising on July 30th when it completed an issue of further secured notes. It raised £97.7m of gross proceeds which will be used to repay the firm’s £34m term loan obtained on the acquisition of Yew Holdings and to provide shareholders with a £61.9m return of cash equating to £1.08 per ordinary share.

Shares fell 2.08% to 1,505p at 11:17 on Wednesday.

31 Jul N+1 Singer 1,287.00 Hold

1 Aug Numis 1,625.00 Add

Funeral services group Dignity declined 15p to 1494p on hearing that chief executive Mike McCollum sold 54,614 shares at 1490p.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-2383823/MARKET-REPORT-Vesuvius-surprises-dealers-maiden-profits-eruption.html#ixzz2atHkF3S3
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Results of Elections and Update on Return of Cash

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4648889

Investec reiterates add on Dignity, target raised from 1530p to 1562p.

2 Sep Numis 1,625.00 Add

15 Oct Goldman Sachs 1,650.00 Neutral

21 Oct: Panmure Gordon upgrades to Buy - TP held at 1600p.

Just had a dabble here - 1350 has been good support this year.

20 Oct: Telegraph mid-cap share tip of the week:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/shares-and-stock-tips/10388865/Mid-cap-share-tip-of-the-week-Dignity.html

Dignity: Investec raises target price from 1562p to 1583p and upgrades from add to buy

Q3 management statement

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4703020

26 Nov: FinnCap: Neutral TP: 1650p. Reiterates.

Pulling back

Final results Wed 5 March.

Preliminary Results


Highlights

· Tenth consecutive year of operating profit growth since flotation in 2004;

· Strong operating performance by all three operating divisions;

· Profits continue to be converted to cash;

· Customer satisfaction remains at very high levels, with 99 per cent of families saying we met or exceeded their expectations and 98 per cent saying they would recommend us;

· £58.3 million invested in the Yew Acquisition and a further £3.4 million on other funeral acquisitions, adding a further 45 funeral locations and two crematoria to the Group's portfolio;

· The Yew Acquisition, completed in January 2013, has performed in line with the Board's expectations;

· 12 satellite locations opened within the funeral business;

· Memorial sales remain robust;

· Another strong year of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 323,000; and

· £61.9 million of cash returned to shareholders (£1.08 pence per share) in August 2013.



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4766901

Investec Buy 1,502.00 1,487.00 1,588.00 1,660.00 Retains

Questor/Telegraph

Investec rarget of 1660p above the rest.
Investec SDY 100p target also well ahead of the rest.
???

Numis Hold 1,488.50 1,488.00 - 1,575.00 Reiterates

Trading statement Mon 12 May.

Interim Report

Deaths down, profits up, SP falls.

From the report. Keyword: 'normalise', morbid though it may be:

However, data from previous years indicates that large
variances in the number of deaths compared to the prior
year at the end of the first quarter tend to normalise
to within 3 per cent by the end of the year

interim results Wed 30 July

Interim results for the 26 week period ended 27 June 2014


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4858426

July 30: Panmure Gordon reiterates: Buy - TP: 1800p.

Investec Buy 1,378.00 1,660.00 1,660.00 Retains

Dignity: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 1600p and a buy recommendation.

Rising quietly of late.

Sept 17: Investec: Buy - TP held 1660p.

RNS


RNS Number : 8645R

Dignity PLC

17 September 2014










For immediate release 17 September 2014

Dignity plc

Issue of Exchange Offer Memorandum and Preliminary Prospectus by
Dignity Finance PLC



Potential Return of Capital to Shareholders



Dignity (the 'Group') is pleased to announce the launch of a proposal to the existing holders of its securitised debt, which if approved, is expected to result in the Group materially increasing the quantum and extending the duration of its debt obligations. As a result of the proposal, the Group's annual debt service obligations would be expected to reduce from circa £40m to circa £34m per annum and approximately £1.00 per ordinary share would be returned to shareholders (a total of circa £54m).



The interim dividend declared on 30 July 2014 will still be paid on 31 October 2014 and will not be affected by this announcement.



Rationale



Since its flotation in April 2004, Dignity has periodically issued further Secured Notes, returning the majority of the net proceeds in each case to shareholders.



The Group believes that given the low interest rate environment and the narrow spreads implicit in the market value of the Group's debt, there is an opportunity to extend the life of its debt and raise new funds. Overall, this will result in the Group's annual debt service obligations reducing by approximately 15% per annum. At the same time, the associated agreements will benefit from various amendments that will help the Group operate more efficiently in the future.



The process



Dignity Finance PLC (the 'Issuer') (a subsidiary of Dignity (2002) Limited, the holding company of the securitised sub-group of Dignity plc) has today called meetings of the Class A and Class B Secured Notes ('Existing Notes'), which will be held on 9 October 2014.



The purpose of these meetings is to approve a proposal (the 'Exchange Offers') by the Group to redeem all existing Class A and Class B Secured Notes, with noteholders receiving new Class A and Class B Secured Notes in consideration (the 'New Notes'). The New Notes are expected to have final maturity dates of 2034 and 2049 respectively. The Coupon will be fixed and the principal will amortise over the life of the Notes. As such, the New Notes reflect a similar structure to the Existing Notes and the Group's annual debt service obligation will be constant year on year but at a lower overall quantum. The New Notes are expected to be rated A and BBB respectively by both S&P and Fitch.



The Exchange Offers have been made available on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Exchange Offer Memorandum. The Exchange Offers have been considered by Existing Noteholders representing approximately 40 per cent in aggregate of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Class A Notes and approximately 49 per cent in aggregate of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Class B Notes. They have informed the Issuer that they find the Exchange Offers acceptable and that they intend to accept the Exchange Offers and approve the Extraordinary Resolutions.



If all the proposals presented to the meeting are approved, the Group intends that in addition to the New Notes issued in consideration for the Existing Notes, further New Notes will be issued for cash and that of the anticipated net proceeds of approximately £70m, approximately £54m will be returned to shareholders in November 2014 using a similar process to that used in 2013. This would equate to a return of circa £1.00 per ordinary share. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used to terminate existing hedging arrangements of the Group of approximately £5m and contribute £1m to the Group's pension scheme, leaving up to £10m to be retained for future acquisition activity. Given the longer duration of the New Notes, the overall annual debt service is anticipated to be circa £34m per annum, approximately £6m lower than the current level paid by the Group.



The Existing Notes are currently recognised on the Group's balance sheet as a total liability of circa £406m, with circa £15m of issue costs offset against this amount in accordance with accounting standards. If the proposals are implemented, given the Existing Notes trade at a premium and the issuance of additional debt for cash, the overall balance sheet liability will increase to approximately £580m. Issue costs relating to the Existing Notes and the Exchange Offer will be written off in accordance with appropriate accounting standards. Consequently, there will be a one-off charge to the Group's income statement in 2014 of approximately £105m to £115m. This amount will be excluded from the Group's underlying performance measures.



If noteholders vote in favour of the resolutions at the respective meetings, any decision to implement the Exchange Offers will be subject to market conditions prevailing at the time and there can be no guarantee at this stage that the New Notes will be issued or that there will be a Return of Capital to shareholders.



The estimates made in this announcement are based on current market conditions and gilt yields. Changes to these prior to the completion of the process may adversely impact the amounts described.



Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity plc, commented:

"This is an excellent transaction for both our shareholders and bondholders. These proposals, if approved and implemented, will give the Group the opportunity to lock its debt in to the current favourable low interest rate environment for the longer term, whilst maintaining a structure that protects against increasing interest rates and refinancing risk. Shareholders are expected to benefit from a return of approximately £1.00 per ordinary share, the fourth return of cash to shareholders since flotation, whilst the Group's annual cost of servicing its debt should reduce by approximately £6m per annum."





A conference call for analysts will be held at 8.00am BST on 17 September 2014. Please contact Buchanan if you have not received dial in details and wish to attend the call.

Sept 18: Panmure Gordon: Buy - TP: 1800p.

Debt-financed expansion plans often have a questionnable rationale behind them, but in the case of Dignity they seem to make sense. The company, which operates 698 funeral parlours and 39 crematoriums across the UK, has seen steady growth in both revenues and profits since its flotation in 2004. However, it still only provides funeral services for under a quarter of the deaths each year in the UK.

Furthermore, the country has experienced a stable death rate of between 540,000 and 600,000 each year for more than half a century, although it will be at the lower end of that range in 2014. Hence, the business model of acquiring independent providers seems to be on a good footing. In parallel, management is carrying out a debt restructuring which will allow it to return 54m pounds in cash to shareholders. The stock, nonetheless, is currently trading on 15.6 times´ next year´s profits, which looks too rich, although the firm´s shares are well worth watching should a correction in the price offer an opportunity to step in, writes The Daily Telegraph´s Questor column.


http://sharecast.com/news/thursday-tips-round-up-smiths-group-dignity/22056094.html

Questor/Telegraph complete article here.

One thing no one seems to mention is that, if, with the cash return (the DTY
statement says cash will be returned as in 2013) there is a share consolidation as
happened last year, when capital was returned to shareholders,, one is left with fewer
shares, so it makes sense to wait for a market correction and to buy then, as suggested
in the article.
The Questor comment about waiting half-a-century to get one's capital back is pertinent.
I will be dead long before then. At least DTY will look after me then.

Ex dividend Wed 23 Sept 6.49p

Oct 1: Berenberg reiterates: Buy - TP: 1600p.

Dignity pricing
and share consolidation

13 Oct Investec 1,660.00 Buy

Trading statement Mon 10 Nov

Q3 management statement

Nov 10: Panmure Gordon; Buy - TP lifted from 1800p to 1900p

Nov 11: Numis: Hold - TP: 1550p

Nov 12: Investec: Buy - TP lifted from 1660p to 1800p

Nov 19: Berenberg: Buy - Lifts TP from 1600p to 1850p

DC - Remarkable rise of late.

Downgrade - 16 Jan Berenberg 1,850.00 Hold

Feb 3: Investec raises TP from 1800 to 1840p

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 1,952. Over this period, the share price is up 18.56%.

The recent strength has been quite amazing.

Almost a dead cert! - ahem!

You mean rising sp is dead folks' legacy...

Naked Trader today -Dignity (LON:DTY) is really flying high for me trying to push up through the 1900 area, nice and now doubled on my first entry point. Today it seems to have pushed through quite decisively. There is money in death you know.

Hits new intra-day all-time high and trading above £20 now.

Been in since May 2012 @ 825p very pleased.

Preliminary results



Highlights

· Capital structure refinanced with new 35 year investment grade secured debt, reducing annual debt service obligations (principal and interest) from approximately £40 million to approximately £33 million per annum;

· As previously announced, non-cash charges resulting from this refinancing have led to a reported statutory loss;

· £64.4 million of cash returned to shareholders (£1.20 per share) following this refinancing;

· Eleventh consecutive year of operating profit growth since flotation in 2004;

· Strong operating performance by all three operating divisions;

· Profits continue to be converted to cash;

· Customer satisfaction remains at very high levels, with 99 per cent of families saying we met or exceeded their expectations and 98 per cent saying they would recommend us;

· £24.7 million invested in funeral acquisitions, adding a further 30 funeral locations to the Group's portfolio;

· Four satellite locations opened within the funeral business;

· Memorial sales remain robust; and

· Another strong year of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 348,000.

4 Mar Panmure Gordon 2,200.00 Buy

Sharecast - Dignity resurrected after second-half funerals show signs of life

Wed, 04 March 2015



Dignity resurrected after second-half funerals show signs of life



A second half recovery in volumes helped Dignity lay 2014 to rest in style, with results from the funeral services group topping analysts forecasts despite the pall cast by a 3.5% annual decline in funeral numbers.
Results surprised City analysts, largely reflecting the earlier timing of the company's annual price increases, with revenues rearing up 4.7% to £268.9m and underlying profit before tax resurrected from half-year falls to register an 11% rise to £58.5m.

The group recorded a statutory loss due to non-cash charges resulting from the refinancing undertaken during the period, which allowed a £64.4m return of cash to shareholders.

Underlying earnings per share stiffened 19.1% to 85.8p, well above consensus expectations of less than 82p, with a final dividend increased by 10.0% to 13.01p, giving a full year payout of 19.50p on top of the cash return.

During the period, Dignity invested £24.7m in 12 smaller acquisitions acquisitions of funeral businesses, after the larger purchase of Yew Holdings in 2013, which performed very strongly and exceeded management expectations.

Chief executive Mike McCollum said the company would continue on its stately strategic course, targeting 10% EPS growth over the medium term, but he noted that the first quarter 2015 result should be significantly higher than the same period in the prior year as deaths in the first eight weeks of the year were roughly 23% higher than the abnormally low number prior year.

As seen in previous years, this is likely to normalise over the remainder of the year and mean expectations for 2015 therefore remain "positive and unchanged".

Broker Panmure Gordon said the results exceeded our expectations and the "outlook remains excellent" in light of the continuing EPS growth target.

"Strong earnings and cash flows, sustainable growth rates and low risks make this a highly attractive company."

5 Mar Beaufort... N/A Buy
5 Mar Numis 1,950.00 Hold
4 Mar Panmure Gordon 2,200.00 Buy
3 Feb Investec 1,840.00 Buy

Naked trader - Good old Dignity (LON:DTY) continues well and shouldn't be long before it hits 2000. reported. Already doubled on these and over the years no surprise if it doubled again, there's a lot of money in death!

Flying today.

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 2,077. Over this period, the share price is up 34.21%.

Trading statement Mon 11 May

First quarter trading update

Questor-share-tip-Dignity-profits-rise-on-high-death

Ex dividend 28 May 2015 Dignity PLC (13 P)

June 16: Investec: Hold - TP: 2060p

Acquisition

July 10: Berenberg Bank: Hold - TP; Up from 1850p to 2260p Reiteration

Dignity PLC (DTY:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 2,307. Over this period, the share price is up 57.16%.

Osborne's cuts are showing success!

Completion of acquisition of 36 funeral locations
RNS
RNS Number : 8553S
Dignity PLC
13 July 2015









For immediate release 13 July 2015



Dignity plc



Completion of acquisition of 36 funeral locations from Laurel Funerals





Dignity plc, the UK's only listed provider of funeral related services, is pleased to announce that the acquisition of 36 of the 83 locations currently operated by Laurel Funerals for total consideration of £38 million, announced on 16 June 2015, has now completed.

Number of deaths up by 13.2% from 280,000 (June 2014) to 317,000 (June 2015

Interim results

July 29: Investec: Hold - Raises TP from 2060p to 2390p

July 29:

Panmure Gordon: retains Buy - TP: raised from 2225p to 2610p

Dignity first-half profit boosted by rise in bereavements

Wed, 29 July 2015



Dignity first-half profit boosted by rise in bereavements



(ShareCast News) - Funeral services provider Dignity posted a 44% jump in underlying first-half pre-tax profit on higher demand for its offerings, following a 13% increase in the number of deaths for the 26-week period ended 26 June.
Pre-tax profit came in at £46.5m from £32.3m in the same period last year, on revenue of £158.7m, up 19.2% from £133.1m.

The company said the number of deaths was 13% higher in the first half of 2015 compared with the same time last year. As a direct consequence, underlying operating profits were up 31% at £59.7m.

Dignity said it will pay an interim dividend of 7.14p per share, up 10% from last year.

The group said it has acquired 46 funeral locations and opened one satellite location since the start of the year, representing an aggregate investment of £47.2m. This includes the acquisition of 36 locations from Laurel Funerals for a consideration of £38m, which completed on 13 July.

As a result of the high number of deaths in the first half, Dignity expects results for the full-year to be ahead of its expectations.

Chief executive Mike McCollum said: "This has been a very strong half year for the group. Client service standards remain excellent and I am delighted with our performance. We have invested £47.2m in acquisitions so far this year from cash on our balance sheet which should help to create further value for our shareholders in the future."

At 1023 BST, the group's shares were up 3.6% at 2,455p.

Naked TrI think Dignity (LON:DTY) probably gets my vote for my fave share of the year so far up from 1700 to near 2400 giving me in reality profits of over £30,000 as I built up a substantial stake. I now just keep a trailing stop on it 250 points away from the action. It's continued to rise or hold steady in down markets.ader today -

Trading statement Monday 9 Nov.

Third quarter trading update

9 Nov Investec 2,400.00 Hold
9 Nov Peel Hunt 2,000.00 Hold
9 Nov Panmure Gordon 2,610.00 Buy

-One-of-the-UKs-best-performing-shares-might-just-surprise-you.



So, if investors had backed the £2.30 IPO price in 2004 they would have received £3.47 per share in cash, and would now hold shares that are worth £25.10. That is a total return of more than 1000pc, or around 23pc a year.

Notification of Preliminary Results
RNS
RNS Number : 8351N
Dignity PLC
02 February 2016







For Immediate Release
2 February 2016






Dignity plc



Notification of Preliminary Results



Dignity plc is pleased to advise that Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks ended 25 December 2015 will be announced on 2 March 2016.



An analyst briefing will be held that day at 9.00 a.m. at Buchanan Communications, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN.

Getting back to near highs again.

Preliminary results

2 Mar Investec 2,550.00 Hold
2 Mar Peel Hunt 2,000.00 Hold
2 Mar Panmure Gordon 2,750.00 Buy

Wed, 02 March 2016



Dignity grows as death rate rises



(ShareCast News) - An unforeseen jump in the death rate made for a year of growth at listed funeral business Dignity, as the company published its preliminary results on Wednesday.
The FTSE 250 firm saw revenues rise 14% during the year to 25 December, to £305.3m from £268.9m.

Underlying operating profit was up 16% to £98.7m, and underlying profit before tax was up 23% to £72.2m. Dignity generated £125.2m cash from operations, a 20% increase over 2014.

On a statutory basis, the company's operating profit totalled £95.5m, a 15% increase. Its profit before tax was £69m, a turnaround from 2014's loss of £67.7m.

Dignity's underlying earnings per share rose 34% during 2015 to 114.8p, and its basic earnings per share were 115.2p, compared with a basic loss per share of 104p last year.

The board recommended a final dividend of 14.31p, up 10% on 2014, which would add to the interim dividend of 7.14p already paid.

"Our staff have performed tremendously in a year when we had to look after a lot more families than originally anticipated," said chief executive Mike McCollum.

"Our standards remained high, as reflected in the outstanding responses from our client surveys. Our financial performance was very strong as a result, helped by our continued focus on maintaining good cost controls alongside excellent client service and investment in the business," he added.

The company benefited from a growing market in 2015, with 588,000 deaths registered during the period, up 7% on 2014's 550,000 - a rate of change not seen for more than 60 years.

Dignity said there was strong operating performance from all three operating divisions, with client satisfaction remaining high. 99% of families said the company met or exceeded expectations, and 98% said they would recommend Dignity.

The company also said the 36 funeral locationa acquired from Laurel Funerals in July 2015 had been integrated well, and were performing in line with expectations.

Looking ahead, Dignity expected the number of deaths in 2016 to revert to the level seen in 2014, and its financial outlook was consistent with the group view throughout 2015.

Naked Trader today - Dignity has started to rise from the dead and is pushing up into highs.

Number of deaths in England and Wales hits 12-year high

Trading statement Monday.

First quarter trading update

9 May Panmure Gordon 2,750.00 Buy

Ex divi 19 May 2016 Dignity PLC (14.3 P)

Proposed acquisition of five crematoria locations

RNS


RNS Number : 7027Z

Dignity PLC

31 May 2016




For immediate release 31 May 2016



Dignity plc



Proposed acquisition of five crematoria locations from Funeral Services Limited



Introduction



Dignity plc (Dignity or the Group), the UK's only listed provider of funeral related services, is pleased to announce that it has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire five crematoria currently operated by Funeral Services Limited (trading as Co-op Funeralcare) for total consideration of £43 million (the Acquisition), to be satisfied in cash upon completion.



These crematoria are located in markets not served by existing Dignity crematoria. Of the crematoria acquired, three locations are freehold (Glasgow, Sheffield and Lichfield), with the other two leased from and managed on behalf of Local Authorities (Shropshire and Stockport). Completion of the acquisition of the freehold locations is conditional upon the transfer of trade and assets of the relevant locations to a new entity, which is expected to complete on or around 5 July 2016. Completion of the acquisition of the leasehold locations is conditional upon consent of the relevant Local Authority and transfer of the trade and assets of the location to a new entity. Consequently, one leasehold location is anticipated to complete on or around 25 July 2016, with the other leasehold location due to complete on or around 1 August 2016.



The Acquisition constitutes a Class 2 transaction for the purposes of the UK Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules. The Acquisition, including external transaction costs, is being funded from cash resources already held by the Group.



Overview of the Acquisition



The locations being acquired generated earnings before deducting interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation of £2.9 million in the year ended 3 January 2016. The unaudited gross assets of the locations being acquired as at 3 January 2016 were approximately £10.9 million.



Opportunity and Rationale



Dignity currently operates 39 crematoria throughout the UK. Since flotation, Dignity has successfully acquired and integrated several crematoria locations into the Group. The locations being acquired provide the opportunity to expand the Group's geographical footprint into markets that are currently not served by the Group's existing locations and will therefore complement its existing locations.



Dignity anticipates that the integration of the Acquisition will involve limited reorganisation costs and minimal increase in overheads.



Allowing for the integration, the Group anticipates the annualised EBITDA from the Acquisition in 2017 to be broadly flat on the actual financial performance achieved in the 12 months to 3 January 2016. No cost savings have been assumed. The Group anticipates that the Acquisition will be earnings accretive in financial year ending December 2017.



Funeral acquisition facility



The Group also announces that, whilst not required to fund the Acquisition, it has extended the availability period of its £26.25 million debt facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland plc until 31 December 2016. This has allowed the Group to use its existing cash resources to fund this transaction, whilst maintaining appropriate resources for future corporate development activities that may arise.



Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity, commented on the Acquisition:



"This acquisition will allow us to extend our crematoria network into new geographical areas. It represents a good investment for Dignity, using cash already held by the Group, and supports our continued growth."





A conference call for analysts will be held at 10.30am on 31 May 2016. Please contact Buchanan if you have not received dial in details and wish to attend the call.



Further announcements will be made in due course.

Completion of acquisition of three crematoria

RNS


RNS Number : 4175C

Dignity PLC

28 June 2016








For immediate release 28 June 2016



Dignity plc



Completion of acquisition of three freehold crematoria locations from Funeral Services Limited



Further to the announcement on 31 May 2016, Dignity plc (Dignity or the Group), the UK's only listed provider of funeral related services, is pleased to confirm the completion of the acquisition of the three freehold crematoria locations from Funeral Services Limited (trading as Co-op Funeralcare).



A further two sites remain on track for completion at a later stage as previously indicated, pending consent of the relevant Local Authority and transfer of the trade and assets of the location to a new entity. All five crematoria are located in markets not served by existing Dignity crematoria.

Naked trader today - Interesting to see the shares which either didn't fall much at all or came right back to where they were this shows strength.

They include shares like the lovely Dignity (after all people aren't going to stop dying are they?)

1 Jul Berenberg 2,825.00 Buy

Interim results

27 Jul Investec 2,795.00 Hold
27 Jul Peel Hunt 2,400.00 Hold
27 Jul Panmure Gordon 2,750.00 Hold

Proactive investor -

Friday 4 Nov -Trading statements: Dignity PLC (LON:DTY)




Among the dribble of results and trading statements will be an update from the listed undertakers Dignity PLC (LON:DTY).
Broker Peel Hunt expects the company to return to growth after seeing earnings before interest and tax fall by 7% in the first-half

Third quarter trading update

7 Nov
Panmure Gordon
2,750.00
Hold
7 Nov
Investec
2,795.00
Hold
7 Nov
Peel Hunt
2,400.00
Hold

3 Mar
Berenberg
2,950.00
Buy

Preliminary results

Key points
·              Financial performance better than expected at the start of the year, as guided in November 2016;
·              Deaths broadly flat at 590,000 (2015: 588,000) and higher than originally anticipated;
·              Funeral market share decline is larger than seen before, which follows better market share than anticipated in 2015;
·              Focus remains on customer service, which continues to be high, with 98 per cent of clients saying they would recommend us;
·              Portfolio expanded through the acquisition of a total of 16 funeral locations and five crematoria in the period;
·              Total acquisition activity investment of £56 million (net of cash acquired) funded from existing cash resources;
·              Satellite location programme ongoing with 11 locations opened in the year;
·              Since the last trading update, the Group has obtained planning permission for a third new crematorium. They are all due to open in 2018/ 2019;
·              Another good year of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with active pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 404,000 (2015: 374,000), helped by trust and insurance based sales;
·              Starting to see potential opportunities from the use of digital technologies; and
·              The Group has acquired three funeral locations and one small crematorium since the balance sheet date.

Notification of Q1 Trading Update
RNS
RNS Number : 4547D
Dignity PLC
27 April 2017
 
For Immediate Release
27 April 2017
 
 
Dignity plc
 
Notification of Q1 Trading Update
 
 
Dignity plc, the UK's only listed provider of funeral services, will announce its first quarter trading update for 2017 on Monday 15 May 2017.
 
A conference call for analysts and investors will be held at 9am (BST).
 
To participate in the conference call, please contact:
Dignity@buchanan.uk.com 

First quarter trading update

15 May
Peel Hunt
2,400.00
Hold

4 Aug
Numis
2,750.00
Hold
3 Aug
Berenberg
2,950.00
Buy

Third quarter trading update

Profit warning.

Could see this coming months ago.

Yep=since mid 2017 Dirs have been selling . . .you'd think they'd have to make an RNS ann. -OR- did I miss it?
Clearly their sp is too high ( poor yield, for what is a regular cash generating business. ).... and £20+ was just silly.

Bought a few today.

Anyone else take a punt earlier on this Dog Stock?

Where's that fish.....

Preliminary Results

Key points

· Financial performance in line with market expectations;

· Deaths flat at 590,000 (2016: 590,000);

· Focus remains on customer service, which continues to be high, with 98 per cent of clients saying they would recommend us;

· Portfolio expanded through acquisition of 24 funeral locations and one small crematorium in the period;

· Total acquisition activity investment of £28.3 million (net of cash acquired); and

· Another good year of pre-arranged funeral plan sales, with active pre-arranged funeral plans increasing to 450,000 (2016: 404,000), helped by trust and insurance based sales.

Update on 2018 initiatives

Following our announcement on 19 January that we were reducing some of our funeral prices and holding others in response to changing market conditions, we have engaged L.E.K. Consulting ('L.E.K.') to work with us in developing our plan for the funeral business. We will be focusing on three fronts:

(1) Understanding the relationship between price, service and volume to develop a broader proposition for customers across a number of market segments;

(2) Developing a more streamlined network operating model that can consistently deliver these propositions at a lower cost; and

(3) Developing a modern, efficient, central operating model to support the reconfigured network.

Initial analysis of the mix of funerals in the first seven weeks since the price of the simple funeral was reduced indicates that a step change in simple funerals conducted has occurred, as expected, albeit at this stage at a run rate of approximately 15 per cent of all funerals and therefore below the 20 per cent assumed in the January trading update. However, it is too early to conclude on whether the mix has now stabilised.

In addition, the Group is actively developing other trials of price and service combinations that will launch during the second quarter of 2018. These trials will be large enough to give the Group significant data to analyse and comment on in August when it releases its interim results and updates the market on the operational review conducted with L.E.K. Any early indications from these trials will be detailed in the Group's first quarter trading update due for release on 14 May 2018. Given their potential to be commercially sensitive, no further detail on these trials will be provided at this time.

L.E.K. have collated detailed information from the Group's various information sources, which is being analysed and reviewed. They are making good progress in helping us to evaluate our revenue, network and central models.

Work has continued to develop the Group's digital strategy. As at January 2018, our funeral website had the highest domain authority of any funeral related website in the UK and work continues in the development and optimisation of both our corporate and individual location's web presence. Alongside continued investment in 'pay per click' advertising, this combination of activities should help the increasing number of people using the internet as their reference source, find our new lower prices and the help and support they need from us. Allied to this, we have developed new systems to help our staff deal with online and telephone price enquiries more efficiently and professionally. This investment, combined with a broader range of services and price points will enable us to be more competitive.

Our Simplicity Cremation business is operating at a run rate of approximately 1,000 cremations per year. We have launched the Simplicity pre-arranged funeral plan and the imminent extension of this service to include the ability to attend one of our crematoria should help this business continue to grow.

Our crematoria business continues to perform well and provides a robust underpinning to the Group's financial performance. Of the three new crematoria currently under construction, the first should open in the second quarter of 2018. The cash flow generated by this division helps to give the Group the flexibility to take the aggressive action required on our funeral business whilst still having significant headroom and the resources necessary to service our debt and investment obligations.

Our pre-arranged business continues to add to the number of active plan holders, which currently stands at 450,000. The purpose of this business is to deliver future funerals and a steady stream of cash flows for the Group. We expect 30 per cent of all our funerals in 2018 to come from these arrangements and received an average of £1,650 per funeral in 2017.

Outlook for 2018 and beyond

The business model for the Group's funeral business is changing as the Board focuses on protecting market share by introducing new service offerings and price points. As indicated in January, the Board believes that whilst the combination of action being taken will lead to substantially lower profits in 2018, it should create a new platform to allow many years of further stable growth.

The Office for National Statistics anticipates approximately 580,000 deaths in 2018, a small decrease of 10,000 on the actual deaths in 2017. However, the number of deaths in the first two months of 2018 are approximately seven per cent higher than the prior year.

Mike McCollum, Chief Executive of Dignity plc commented:

"We are the only business with a national network of funeral and crematoria locations, giving us a unique position in the evolving funeral market. Following the trading update in January 2018, we have now begun a new chapter for Dignity and for the funeral business in particular. It does not change our focus on excellent client service, which remains core to how we operate. We will also continue to demonstrate industry leadership by seeking the regulated market that will be good for clients and society and which plays to our strengths as a compliant and well managed business."

"However, the number of deaths in the first two months of 2018 are approximately seven per cent higher than the prior year."

That is not a good stat.

NHS?

Going well this week. Director stepped in yesterday.

Luvvly Jubbly

:)