..A leading supplier of recycled packaging in Europe

With a turnover in 2011/12 of £2.0 billion and employing more than 20,000 people, DS Smith Plc is an international supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods.

On 30 June 2012 DS Smith acquired SCA Packaging. On a combined basis, the group is now the second largest manufacturer of corrugated products in Europe. We are also a leading worldwide supplier of bag-in-box packaging and a leading European supplier of plastic returnable transit packaging. The combined Group now has revenues of approximately £4 billion (based on a combination of historically reported figures and a 12 month contribution from both businesses).

DS Smith is a FTSE 250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange and headquartered in Maidenhead.

http://www.dssmith.com/

Broker Forecast - Canaccord Genuity issues a broker note on Smith (DS) PLC
Canaccord Genuity today upgrades its investment rating on Smith (DS) PLC (LON:SMDS) to buy (from hold) and left its price target at 430p. Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

DS Smith Plc - trading statement
RNS
RNS Number : 4677R
Smith (DS) PLC
09 March 2016

9 March 2016



DS Smith Plc - trading statement



DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today issues a trading update in respect of the four month period since 1 November 2015.



Trading update

In the second half of the year to date, the business has continued to progress in line with our expectations. Volume growth has been good, particularly in Western Europe and South Eastern Europe, where as expected, customers have reacted positively to our business offering including access to our design and innovation capability. Growth from pan-European customers continues to benefit from our increased scale and coverage and reflects our continued investment in quality, service and innovation.



Our return on sales and return on average capital employed have both shown further improvement versus the comparable prior year period, reflecting the benefit of operating leverage and the strength of our business model.



Strengthening our business

On 23 January 2016, we completed the acquisition of Milas Ambalaj, a high quality producer of specialist corrugated packaging and displays in Istanbul, Turkey. Integration is progressing as planned and we are pleased with the initial customer reaction. The businesses acquired in the first half of the year, in Iberia and South Eastern Europe, also continue to deliver in line with our expectations.



Outlook

Our outlook remains positive as volumes and financial returns continue to grow, despite ongoing challenging market conditions. The Board continues to anticipate performance in line with our medium term financial targets and views the remainder of the year with confidence.



Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said:

"We are pleased with progress in the year to date as we continue to grow organically and integrate the businesses acquired over the past year, with a positive customer reaction. We aim to continue to develop our high quality packaging offering while extending our geographic reach. The performance of the business, together with the customer and market opportunities for growth, gives us confidence for the future."

Broker Forecast - Goodbody issues a broker note on Smith (DS) PLC
Goodbody today upgrades its investment rating on Smith (DS) PLC (LON:SMDS) to hold (from sell). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

Trading Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 4315W

Smith (DS) PLC

27 April 2016




27 April 2016

DS Smith Plc - pre-close trading statement

Another year of good progress



DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today issues a pre-close trading statement for the year ending 30 April 2016.



Group performance remains in line with our expectations. The trends described in our trading statement of 9 March 2016 have continued, with good volume growth across the business, and returns on sales and on average capital employed improved versus the comparable period. Growth from our large pan-European customers has been particularly strong, and has also been driven by our solutions for the fast growing e-commerce channel.



In line with our strategy, we are continuing to expand our geographic footprint and customer offering. We have invested around €600 million in acquisitions in this financial year, which are performing fully in line with our expectations. Most recently we have acquired TRM Packaging, a producer of specialist corrugated packaging and retail ready packaging, based in the North West of England, which will enhance our capabilities in this region.



Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said:

"Packaging, and the supply chain in which it plays a part, is of great importance to our customers as they adapt for the evolving multi-channel retail environment. Over the year we have grown organically and by acquisition while at the same time improving our margin, and we remain excited about the opportunities for the business."



Forthcoming dates


Results for the full year to 30 April 2016

23 June 2016

Proactive investor - Thursday will also see final results from packaging company DS Smith (LON:SMDS), investors will be keen for an update on China expansion plans.

Full year results

Highlights

· Continued outperformance of the market

o Strong organic corrugated box volume growth of +3.1%

o Growth in all regions

o Excellent growth from pan-European customers and e-commerce

· Substantial investment to further strengthen the business

o Five acquisitions completed in the year, performing ahead of expectations

o Capital invested in-line with strategic priorities

· Continued delivery against our medium-term targets

o Sustainable financial returns

o Significant margin progression and record ROACE

· Further geographic expansion

o New or expanded presence in 13 countries

o Proposed acquisition of Gopaca in Portugal

o Acquisition of Creo - specialist Point of Sale / display

ShareCast News) - One of Britain's leading captains of industry is to warn the new Brexit minister that he may be forced to relocate his £4 billion UK-based manufacturing group to the Continent if the government does not keep the country within the European single market. In one of the first explicit examples of what Brexit means for British manufacturers, DS Smith, the provider of specialist packaging for Amazon and fast-moving consumer goods groups such as Unilever, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and the Cadbury group Mondelez, has already diverted tens of millions of pounds of investment out of the UK to a new plant near Frankfurt. - The Times

Broker Forecast - Goldman Sachs issues a broker note on Smith (DS) PLC

Goldman Sachs today reaffirms its neutral investment rating on Smith (DS) PLC (LON:SMDS) and raised its price target to 400p (from 390p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

08:10 02/09/2016
Broker Forecast - Berenberg issues a broker note on Smith (DS) PLC

Berenberg today reaffirms its hold investment rating on Smith (DS) PLC (LON:SMDS) and raised its price target to 400p (from 375p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

DS Smith Plc - AGM trading statement

RNS


RNS Number : 0112J

Smith (DS) PLC

06 September 2016




6 September 2016



DS Smith Plc - AGM trading statement



DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today issues a trading update in respect of the period since 1 May 2016. DS Smith will hold its Annual General Meeting at 12 noon today.



Trading update

The business has made good progress since the start of the year and performance has been in line with our expectations. Volume growth remains good, particularly from pan-European customers who continue to benefit from our increased scale and coverage, and reflecting our continued investment in quality, service and innovation.

Our return on sales and return on average capital employed have both shown further improvement versus the comparable prior year period, reflecting the benefit of operating leverage and the strength of our business model.



Strengthening our business

Since the start of the year, we have continued to invest organically and acquire businesses in attractive geographies and market segments, including e-commerce and display, building on the 5 acquisitions completed in 2015/16. The proposed acquisition of Gopaca, a well invested corrugated packaging business in Portugal, will expand our position in Iberia and complement the operations we have in this important region. The transaction, announced in June, is expected to complete during the first half of our financial year.



As in-store marketing spend continues to increase, we have invested significantly in display products and services. In addition to our organic investment, in June 2016 we acquired Creo, based in the south east of the UK and we recently completed the acquisition of Deku-Pack, located in Denmark. Both businesses are focussed on FMCG, retail and media markets and significantly build on our capability in this important and growing market segment.



Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said:

"We are pleased with our start to the year and the momentum within the business, as we continue to grow organically and by acquisition. Notwithstanding the increased political and economic uncertainty within Europe, our outlook remains positive. Packaging has ever increasing relevance in a dynamic retail and consumer environment and our recent acquisitions, together with the customer and market opportunities for growth, give us confidence for the future."

6 Sep Goodbody N/A Hold
6 Sep Jefferies... 440.00 Hold
6 Sep Numis 460.00 Hold
2 Sep Goldman Sachs 400.00 Neutral
2 Sep Berenberg 400.00 Hold

Ex dividend Thurs 29 Sept - Smith (DS) PLC [SMDS] (8.8 p)

DS Smith Plc half-year pre-close trading statement
RNS
RNS Number : 5643N
Smith (DS) PLC
27 October 2016
 
27 October 2016
 
DS Smith Plc - Half-year pre-close trading statement
 
DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today issues a pre-close trading update in respect of the half-year ending 31 October 2016.
The business has again made good progress and performance remains in line with our expectations. Volume growth continues to be supported by strong ongoing growth with our large pan European customers. Our return on sales and return on capital employed are expected to show progression over the comparative period last year despite the initially dilutive effect of recent acquisitions.
As in previous periods, we have invested in both organic and inorganic opportunities in the half-year and are pleased with the initial performance of the recently acquired display businesses, Creo and Deku-Pack, which form an important part of our strategy for this growth market segment. 
Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said:
"The business continues to demonstrate good momentum with growth in line with our expectations, despite the considerable political and economic uncertainty. Alongside our ongoing delivery, we are also investing in our growth markets, particularly in packaging that helps our customers serve consumers across a broader range of retail channels.  These opportunities, together with our broader geographical footprint, give us continued confidence in our future."

12:40 27/10/2016
Broker Forecast - Numis issues a broker note on Smith (DS) PLC
Numis today upgrades its investment rating on Smith (DS) PLC (LON:SMDS) to add (from hold) and left its price target at 460p. Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

Half year results


Highlights
·     Organic volume growth of 2.9%
o  All regions in growth
o  Continued growth of pan-European FMCG and e-commerce customers
·     Delivering against all financial KPIs
o  Return on sales(4) increase of 10bps to 9.6%
o  ROACE(5) improvement of 10bps to 15.1%
o  Net debt / EBITDA(6) 1.9x
·     Strong profit growth
o  Adjusted operating profit +9%
o  Profit before tax +32%
·     Strengthening the business portfolio
o  Expanding pan-European point of sale and display capability
§ Acquired and integrated businesses in the UK and Denmark
§ Opened new plant in Erlensee, Germany
§ Acquisition of P&I, a specialist corrugated display business in Portugal
o  Completion of acquisition of Gopaca, corrugated packaging, in Portugal
o  Proposed acquisition of Parish Manufacturing Inc., a US bag-in-box plastics business

9 Dec
Barclays...
508.00
Overweight

DS Smith PLC (SMDS:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 434.90. Over this period, the share price is up 15.92%.

have been in these since 2011 and happily so. Nice thing with these are that trend keeps going up but about 1x p/m they get a hit only to recover 2 days later

have been in these since 2011 and happily so. Nice thing with these are that trend keeps going up but about 1x p/m they get a hit only to recover 2 days later

7 Mar
Goldman Sachs
430.00
Neutral

Trading Statement
RNS
RNS Number : 9318Y
Smith (DS) PLC
09 March 2017
 
9 March 2017
 
DS Smith Plc - trading statement
 
DS Smith Plc, the leading supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, today issues a trading update in respect of the period since 1 November 2016.
 
Trading
The business has performed in line with our expectations, continuing to build on the progress made in the first half of the year with sustained good volume growth. As before, this growth has been particularly strong from e-commerce businesses, which is an area of considerable focus for us. Pan-European customer volumes continue to grow ahead of the Group average rate as customers recognise the benefit of a co-ordinated multi-national solution to their packaging requirements. 
Strengthening our business
In the first half of the year, we acquired two businesses, Creo (in the UK) and Deku-Pack (in Denmark) for a total of £37 million. Since 1 November 2016 we have continued to invest and acquire businesses in attractive geographies and growth market segments. As previously announced, we have completed the acquisitions of P&I Display and Gopaca in Portugal, expanding our position in the important Iberian market and building on our pan-European point of sale capability. We have also completed the acquisition of Parish Manufacturing, a US manufacturer of flexible plastics packaging.
 
Outlook
Our outlook remains positive, despite ongoing challenging economic conditions. Volumes continue to grow well and the Board continues to anticipate performance in line with our medium term financial targets and views the future with confidence.
 
Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said:
"We are pleased with the sustained, consistent progress of the business, both organically and from the contribution from acquired businesses.  Customer and consumer trends continue to drive the requirement for sophisticated, innovative packaging, and we have the scale and expertise to invest behind these trends and consistently drive growth. Accordingly, we remain confident for the future."