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

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