This company just seems to increase profits every year, no wonder. I was out shopping with my wife weekend,and just by chance,looked in the shop as we went by,it was packed. It made me look it up when i got home,and buy a few shares.
They do have a big spread but every now and then,close it right up. DYOR

French Connection Seems to have a lot going for it at the moment.

Retailers outperforming and company recovering

Investtech the Pro TA providers to Banks and Institutions like it.......



Positive Candidate -Medium term, Sep 16, 2010 Analysis Explanation

FRENCH CONNECTION GROUP is within a rising trend, which indicates a continued growth. Has given positive signal from a inverse head and shoulders formation by a break up through the resistance at 45.64. Further rise to 86.62 or more is signaled. The stock has broken up through the resistance at pence 47.00. This predicts a further rise. In case of negative reactions, there will now be support at pence 47.00. Positive volume balance, i.e. high volume in days of rising prices and low volume in days of falling prices, strengthens the stock in the short term. The RSI curve shows a rising trend, which supports the positive trend. The stock is overall assessed as technically positive for the medium long term.



Period Vol.bal. Volatility Liquidity +/- %
1 day - 3.02% 133.04 +5.85%
5 days 85.63 9.66% 34.31 +11.17%
22 days 58.13 26.55% 10.57 +1.53%
66 days 32.09 52.83% 19.52 +18.45%

Hoping for a good day here.

Great to see shorters from early August closing out here adding to the BUY stimulus.

just note the steep decline............



More of them to close aswell I reckon.

Investors Inteligence tip this morning.......

We open a short-term long in French Connection, on its recent uptrend reassertion.

French Connection is expected to cheer investors with its full year results on Friday after it emerged relatively unscathed from freezing December.

The fashion retailer last month said pre-tax profits will be least 6.8m in the year to 31 January, compared to 1.6m the previous year and well ahead of previous estimates of between 2.6m and 5.1m

http://business.scotsman.com/business/Marketwatch-Appetite-for-Isas-set.6733002.jp?articlepage=2

------------------------------------------------------------

Great article on FCCN in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/mar/13/french-connection-baffling-adverts

don't agree .... the only retailers that have not been walloped are at the luxury end - e.g. mulberry and burberry (that one luxury - yuk!)

Your missing the US side of the business Cyners. Take a look here and then compare the valuation here to say Next .

Couldnt have put it better myself.........

seen the rating MUL are on too?

A pe of about 60 falling to 40. Good growth but I think FCCN could easily outstrip their growth rate. This from the interims:

"It is particularly exciting to announce our new licensing agreement with Li &
Fung, the leading consumer goods supply chain management business. Li & Fung's
subsidiary, LF USA, have entered into a licence for the use of the "UK Style by
French Connection" name. This is an exciting young fashion range at attractive
price points and will be sold through Sears, a leading retailer in North
America. We are very happy to be working with two world class companies on this
venture. The arrangement will deliver additional licence income of at least
GBP1.5 million in the year ending 31 January 2012 with potential for significant
growth thereafter. This development underscores the strength of the French
Connection brand and the opportunities that exist for us in global markets."

It's 'at least' 1.5m but looking at what what they said they've been cautious on the exchange rate. And if there's 'potential for significant growth' there after then that's exciting for profits as it's license revenue and nearly all profit.

So if you take the 'at least' 6.8m pbt this year, add 2m from L&F in license fees, add another 2m in savings from the sale of Nichole Farahi plus savings from the loss-making FCCN stores that are closing, then add on the growth in wholsale and menswear it looks to me that profit is set to grow well over 50% this year and with a good wind they could double imo.

That's way better than Mulberry are mangaging.

Assuming something like 40m net cash at year end then shares are around 85p with the cash stripped out and eps of 9-10p eps looks very possible this year.

50-70% profit growth on a fwd PE of 9-10 on a stripped out cash PE basis looks very cheap to me and a million miles cheaper than MUL.

All just my opinion of course - there's a well known strong brand here too so it isn't like it's a new boy trying to establish itself.

Still a lovely big bowl on that chart back to 250p too :-)

i wouldn't buy NXT either! .... buy a mid-range high street retailer with a pe of 60 falling to 40? .... not likely!! .... and i would buy MUL either, even if it does buck the trend

Exactly FCCN is way undervalued.

i'll put on watch, but doubt i'll be tempted unless it's to sell before the results ...... bought back into TW. this morning which has not been too dumb

==========

FCCN
4p spread?
is that the norm?

minimal volume

can't see that this is even a good trading stock

4p spread???. no chance.

Historical article which shows the potential of FCCN....

French Connection lifted as shake-up pays offBy Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:18 PM on 4th February 2011

Fashion chain French Connection said on Friday that it expects annual profits to beat expectations despite the challenging trading conditions.
The retailer said pre-tax profits for the year would be at least 6.8million, marking a significant improvement compared to previous estimates for profits between 2.6million and 5.1million. (UPDATED again))

The upbeat update sent shares soaring 22 per cent, up 14.8p to 83.7p, as analysts upgraded their forecasts for this year and the next one.

Recovery: French connection expects annual profits to be higher than previous forecasts
The improved performance follows the companys decision to launch a restructuring drive after it posted bottom-line losses of 24.9million last year.

The shake-up saw the company sell its loss-making Nicole Farhi brand and shut down its Japanese business as well as some stores in North America and Europe.

More...French Connection share price {thisismoney.co.uk}
Stock market predictions: What next? {thisismoney.co.uk}
Key brands help Dairy Crest to deliver strong third-quarter sales

Chief operating officer Neil Williams said: We are very happy with the restructuring we have done and that will allow us to concentrate on our core business.

He added: It's too early to say how 2011 will go but we feel that if we can produce some really good product there will be demand for it.

The surge in profits is down to wholesale outlets and licensing, while the groups own stores, which account for about 55 per cent of revenues, have fared in line with previous guidance in November, when sales fell by almost 8 per cent.

The company has also been boosted from a series of profitable licensing agreements, including a $10million (6.2million) deal with Hong Kong-based exporter Li & Fung that will see clothes and other goods carrying the slogan 'UK Style by French Connection' sold in Sears stores for the next four years.

The update prompted analyst Andrew Wade, of Numis Securities, to up his profits forecast for the year to January 2012 to 8.2million from 7.5million.

He said: Despite our expectation that 2011 could be a challenging year for the sector we believe the momentum being built up at French Connection, boosted by the 1.5million benefit of the Li & Fung deal, should see the business continue to make good progress.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1353711/French-Connection-lifted-shake-pays-off.html#ixzz1GaQEW8bB

FCCN STRONG BUY Todays Opinion.

http://www.barchart.com/quotes/futures/FCCN.LS

not mine!

Tharashed concensus estimates, more to come.

latest updated predections from Hemscott premium..... Concensus was for #ADVFN $FCCN http://t.co/dmpU8dD

currently +2.5p on volume of just 14,000 ...... i'll say it yet again - this stock is not for trading, not least because market clearly far too thin and the spread regularly ridiculously wide

Commenting on this announcement, Stephen Marks, Chairman and Chief Executive of French Connection said:



"I am delighted with the significantly improved performance for our latest financial year. We have achieved a considerably higher profit from the core continuing operations, notwithstanding a period of major change for the Group and challenging market conditions. I am looking forward to growing the business further from the solid foundations generated by our recent reorganisation and I believe there are many opportunities for the Group to create further value for shareholders in the future."



"The proposed increase in final dividend reflects the Group's profitability and cash generation and the Board's confidence in the future. It is the Board's intention to increase the dividend in the future in line with increases in profit."



"The French Connection brand is recognised all around the world and generates over 400 million of sales at retail for us and our partners. With our business back on track we are focused on creating great products that stand apart from the rest and reflect the enormous fashion heritage inherent within the French Connection brand."



"The current economic environment is clearly difficult and it appears likely that it will remain so in the coming year. However, I am confident that we have the people, infrastructure, drive and brand strength to build further on the growth we have achieved."

FCCN storming away going on for 8% increase on results.

Steep drop in stock on loan (shorters) in past few days....

and live sp 124.5/128.5!!

Yep but uits been a lot tighter than that . less than 1p at one stage today.

Article in the Mirror re Kate Middleton wearing FCCN

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/03/13/royal-wedding-dresses-that-show-kate-middleton-is-a-true-queen-in-waiting-115875-22985042/

Got to be good for their UK Style in the US imo.

BRIEF-French Connection sees analysts nudging up forecasts
16 Mar 2011 - 07:58

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - French Connection Group PLC :

* COO says expects analysts to nudge up 2011/12 profit forecast, house broker

was on 8.3 million STG

* COO says uk/europe retail like-for-like sales have continued down around 6

percent

* COO says looking to expand with partners in mideast, east Europe, and to add

wholesale accounts in uk/europe

March 23 (Reuters) - French Connection Group PLC: Finncap raises French Connection target price to 125p from 90p FCCN.L

sorry sticky, but big deal!! .... that is below the level at which you were recommending a few days ago

FCCN

SCSW spelling it out for punters today re international brand, rocketing wholesale etc.

From SCSW today, nicked this from across the road


Re wholesale:

"Sales to John Lewis and internet based e-tailers such as ASOS increased substantially during the year and continue to show growth. Spring/Summer orders delivered in January were up c.15%. Winter 2011 forward orders are also running well ahead and the general expectation is that UK wholesale is going to record another year of double-digit growth"

Wholsale margins are way higher than retail.

i know i am renownedly thick, but i always thought FCCN was a retailer! ..... as such i wouldn't go near it as uk high street mid-price fashion is dire - just look in your own town,; you don't need to be a genius

Retail is a place to avoid this year.

Avoid.

No!

I like these. 50% upside soon!

The cash position and the Director ownership means it's a no brainer to take it private even at 60p. That gives us a 50% upside and the Drectors access to all the cash they need plus £8m profit this year. Nice!

I'm surprise the corporate advisors aren't knocking on the Boardroom door now!

.

.

i'll say yet again - anyone buying into uk high street middle-market fashion over the last 12/24 months needs a brain surgeon and certainly deserves to have been burnt

.

Avoid..

chart suggests a fall to 15p.

common sense says you should avoid as indeed you should have done many moons ago

.

Cynic, sure Retail has had its day, but there are still shops and shoppers, women in particular will "love" something they've tried on (and fits?), so FCCN has moderately steady sales (OF course a Killer-Collection would help).

So, my q. is this: if FCCN isn't about to go Bankrupt, there has to be a point where the stock is a "buy" - and I'm wondering if the Market won't think the same and pre-empt my purchase when it falls to 15p, currently 21p, so I'm in no hurry. Esp as the Olympics will have many Women glued to the telly, rather than strutting about in their new outfits.

EDIT(2Aug2012):- Cynic,[Post#44]: I understand you - that's why I'm in no hurry. (If at all).

which bit of of profit and warning do you not comprehend? ....... which bit of press does NOT tell you of a bloodbath on the high street, and now affecting even the likes of mulberry which has avoided the storm up to now? ....... which bit of continuing rain and cold weather have you missed?

Interim results

Highlights

· Revenue of £96.0 million (2011: £102.8 million)
· Loss before tax of £(6.3) million (2011: profit of £0.7 million)
· Closing net cash of £21.2 million (2011: £30.9 million)
· Broad-ranging initiatives underway to improve the retail business

Commenting on this announcement, Stephen Marks, Chairman and Chief Executive of French Connection said:

"The last six months have continued to be very difficult for French Connection's UK/Europe retail business which has had an impact on the Group results for the period.

We have completed our extensive review of the retail business and have implemented a set of detailed initiatives across a broad number of fronts designed to improve the performance of the retail division and the business in general. The operational focus of the initiatives is on improving our store operations, developing our product offering and improving merchandise management. In addition we have strengthened our senior management team and will continue to target the disposal of loss making stores. We are confident that these actions will produce a growing positive impact on our trading performance over the next two financial years.

We recognise that the route to sustained recovery is likely to take some time but we are committed to building on French Connection's core strengths; our highly recognised and well-regarded brand, our long history of producing desirable, fashion forward products, our proven sourcing ability and the commitment and passion of our staff."

Stay clear weak buy.

Had almost forgotten this stock still existed, some recovery this year. Any one following who can shed some light?

Possibly late at the party with this one. Wee punt in @ 92.0 target 110.0 stop @ 82.0

AGM and Interim results 15th.

Stopped out at the open @ 79.0 - 13.

Back on watch list.