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!

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
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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