Grafton Group plc is an independent, profit-orientated growth company, operating in the UK and Ireland whose main activities are builders and plumbers merchanting, DIY retailing and mortar manufacturing. The Group aims to achieve above average returns for its shareholders. Grafton's strategy is to build on strong positions in businesses serving the UK and Irish construction sectors, to develop in related markets, and to grow in businesses with which it is familiar. In the UK, Grafton's merchanting operations are the fourth largest in the market. These comprise 147 plumbers merchanting branches trading under the Plumbase brand, and 163 builders merchanting branches trading principally under the Buildbase and Jackson brands. In Northern Ireland, Macnaughton Blair is one of the leading builders merchants trading from 12 locations. EuroMix is the UK market leader in dry mortar with 8 plants. In the Republic of Ireland, the Group is the largest builders and plumbers merchanting business trading from 31 branches nationally under the Chadwicks brand and from 25 branches nationally under the Heiton Buckley brand. The Group is the clear leader in Irish DIY retailing with 20 Woodie's and 15 Atlantic Homecare stores nationally and, amongst other activities, has manufacturing plants in plastics and concrete products, including EuroMix dry mortar.
Grafton Group plc is predominantly a UK and Ireland-based building materials group with 591 branches and a turnover of over £2 billion.


http://www.graftonplc.com/

IC - Grafton gathers momentum.

Grafton chief executive Gavin Slark reckons there is much more growth to come, suggesting the group has the capability to increase operating margins to 7%. Grafton is finally starting to see the benefits of a revival in the housing sector, as well as growing consumer spending on maintenance and repairs.

26 Mar Investec 860.00 Buy

Grafton Group PLC (GFTU:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 868.00. Over this period, the share price is up 38.92%.

Interim management statement

Yawing a bit but fairly good IMS and Directors stumping up in the past couple of days.

Upgrade - 22 May Jefferies... 960.00 Buy

Irish broker Cantor's note yesterday;

 We remain happy to add to positions in core portfolio stock
Grafton Group and see current levels as an attractive entry point
 The group has had a positive start to the year highlighted by its
IMS last week
Comment: The recent trading update highlighted an uptick in operating
profit with management expecting to see the full benefits from margin
expansion initiatives coming through in the second half of the year. Its
store implant strategy should continue to support gains while opportunities
remain to grow its Selco brand across locations and store size. The
balance sheet remains strong and should support bolt on acquisitions
should suitable candidates be identified. We are happy to add to positions
in Grafton, given the continued growth in top line and progressive margin
expansion. We continue to believe the shares are attractive, trading on a
Price/Earnings to Growth ratio of 0.8x.

Grafton schedules update and interims
StockMarketWire.com
Grafton Group will issue a trading update on 9 July in advance of its results for the six months ended 30 June which will be issued on 27 August.

At 3:24pm: (LON:GFTU) Grafton Group PLC share price was +4p at 770p

Trading update

Half yearly report

Financial Highlights

· Revenue up 7% to £1.08 billion (10% in constant currency)

· Group operating profit up 21% to £61.2 million and operating profit margin increased to 5.6% from 5.0%

· Property profit contribution increased to £6.1 million from £1.6 million and Group operating profit margin before property profit increased to 5.1% from 4.8%

· Profit before taxation up 26% to £57.9 million and basic earnings per share up 31% to 20.2p

· 20% increase in dividend reflects strong results and financial position

· Strong cash generation from operations of £73.2 million (2014: £88.1 million)

· Investment of £42.9 million on acquisition and capital expenditure to support future growth

· Net debt declined to a near two decade low of £51.1 million from £75.3 million at 31 December 2014 representing gearing of 5%



Operating Highlights

· UK merchanting business delivered a good performance as positive economic backdrop supported increased activity in the residential RMI and new build markets

· Strong performance by Selco

· Significant contribution from UK acquisitions and new branches

· Continued progress in Irish businesses with strong profit growth in merchanting business as economy rebounds

27 Aug Davy Research N/A Outperform

28 Aug Numis 850.00 Add

Recovering very well, after brexit.

Trading update

10 Nov
Canaccord...
595.00
Hold

10 Nov
Davy Research
N/A
Outperform

10 Nov
Goodbody
N/A
Buy

11 Jul
Numis
850.00
Buy
11 Jul
Peel Hunt
765.00
Hold
11 Jul
Liberum Capital
770.00
Hold

Trading update

Acquisition of Leyland SDM
RNS
RNS Number : 2045F
Grafton Group PLC
19 February 2018

19 February 2018


Grafton Group plc
Acquisition of Leyland SDM for £82.4m

Grafton Group plc ("Grafton" or "the Group"), the merchanting and DIY Group with operations in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of LSDM Limited ("Leyland SDM"), London's largest independent specialist decorators' merchant.
The total consideration payable by the Group is £82.4 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis and will be funded from the Group's cash and debt facilities.
Leyland SDM is regarded as one of the most recognisable and trusted decorating and DIY brands in Central London selling paint, tools, ironmongery and accessories. It prides itself on high levels of customer service, maintaining long standing relationships and carrying a strong reputation with both trade professionals and DIY customers. Leyland SDM operates through a unique portfolio of stores which have been built up over the last 30 years during its period of family ownership. Its network of 21 convenience-led and predominantly high street stores, are situated in some of London's most prominent locations including King's Road Chelsea, High Street Kensington, Shaftesbury Avenue, Victoria, Clerkenwell, and Notting Hill. In the last two years, it has further expanded its footprint with four new stores opened in Battersea, Mile End, Clapham High Street and Putney as well as opening a new Distribution Centre at Wembley.
The Leyland SDM "small box" convenience trading format is a proven business model in Central London that complements the Group's larger Selco branches located in Greater London.
Leyland SDM's revenue and underlying EBITA was £47.8 million and £7.3 million respectively for the year ended 31 December 2017. Gross assets are estimated at circa £10.0 million at completion.
Commenting on the agreement, Gavin Slark, Chief Executive Officer of Grafton said today:
"The acquisition of Leyland SDM is a unique opportunity to acquire a leading brand with exceptional locations in Central London and expands our presence in a resilient segment of the merchanting market located at the heart of one of the world's leading cities".

8:40 20/02/2018
Broker Forecast - Berenberg issues a broker note on Grafton Group PLC
Berenberg today upgrades its investment rating on Grafton Group PLC (LON:GFTU) to buy (from hold) and raised its price target to 920p (from 800p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com Broker Forecasts data provided by www.sharesmagazine.co.uk

Finals Thurs 1 March 18