We're a highly focused soft drinks business. Our brand portfolio includes Vimto , which is sold in over 70 countries, Levi Roots, Weight Watchers, Sunkist and Panda, which are sold in the UK. We have a leading market position in both the still and carbonate drinks categories and also in the soft drinks on dispense market.





http://www.nicholsplc.co.uk/

2012 Pre-close announcement

Monday 7th January 2013

In the final list of shares mag for UK stock market awards 2013, in the Best food and beverage plc. Along with Barr (AG) Carr's milling industries,Diageo and Finsbury foods.The awards will also seek to answer who is truly creating shareholder value ?
The winners in each sector will be judged on their ability to allocate capital in the most effective manor possible. They will be scored on how well they balance risk with reward and ranked by their track record at generating the earnings or dividend growth that inturn yields the optimal total shareholder return

Results 18 Feb 2013.

Been tempted to sell , hope for a good update on the 7th.

Nichols PLC - Pre-Close Trading Statement
07 January 2013



Nichols plc

Pre-Close Trading Statement

Nichols plc ("the Group"), today issues the following pre-close trading update

The Group has continued its positive trading momentum in the second half of 2012 with total sales for the year ended 31 December 2012 increasing by 9% to £108m.



This performance is ahead of the UK soft drinks market and has been achieved against last year's strong comparatives (18% uplift on 2010), a challenging UK economy and record wet weather.



The UK market, as measured by A.C. Nielsen, increased in value by 3.2% for the year to 8 December 2012 with underlying volume down 0.6%.

Despite this challenging market we are pleased to report that our UK business has increased sales by 10% against the prior year with our export sales also increasing by 8%

Despite another year of significant cost inflation and high levels of promotional activity, we expect, as a minimum, to maintain our operating margins. This has been achieved by a combination of good cost control and ongoing productivity improvements.

The Group's balance sheet remains strong and has continued to generate positive cash in line with our expectations.

In summary, 2012 has seen a strong trading performance and we expect Group profit and earnings per share (EPS) to be significantly ahead of last year and ahead of market expectations.

The Group's Preliminary results will be announced on 7 March 2013.


John Nichols

Non-Executive Chairman

Great update.

DC - can you edit out some of the superfluous lines of spaces etc.

Nichols beats expectations
Mon 07 Jan 2013

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Soft drinks maker Nichols, which owns the Vimto brand, said its full year figures would beat expectations, pushing its shares up in morning trading.

The firm said total sales for the year ended 31st December had increased by 9% to £108m, with export sales increasing by 8%.

It expects group profit and earnings per share to be significantly ahead of 2011 and ahead of market expectations.

"Despite another year of significant cost inflation and high levels of promotional activity, we expect, as a minimum, to maintain our operating margins," said Chairman John Nichols.

"This has been achieved by a combination of good cost control and ongoing productivity improvements."

It highlighted that the UK market, as measured by A.C. Nielsen, increased in value by 3.2% for the year to 8th December 2012 with underlying volume down 0.6%.

A superb chart from early 2009 DC.

Sorry about the rushed update this morning skinny , hung on to see the update before leaving for work.

Dc - you can post how you like - please don't apologise to me - it just makes it easier to read without all the white space.

Anyway - another good pick by yourself.

climbed hard since the end of Aug.

A buy in this weeks shares mag - Nichols still has plenty of fizz.

A bullish outlook statement alongside March's final,.ahead of what should prove a bullish out look statement. Supported by sustained investment behind brands including Vimto and robust export growth, Shares believes the earnings forecast upgrade cycle should continue
into 2013.

Last month’s (7 Jan) better-than-expected pre-close update confirmed calendar 2012 as another strong year for Nichols, whose other brands include Sunkist and Panda as well as more recent launches such as Weight Watchers and Levi Roots.

Nichols continues to outperform the UK soft drinks market, while the £317.4 million cap’s exports to international markets such as the Middle East and Africa, where consumers are increasingly able to afford branded beverages, offer one forecast upgrade catalyst. Others include the possibility of further licensing agreements in the UK, as well as earnings-enhancing acquisitions underpinned by a burgeoning cash pile.

Following last month’s bullish missive, Investec Securities’ Nicola Mallard increased her taxable profits estimate from £19.9 million to £20.3 million and nudged estimated earnings per shares (EPS) up from 39.5p to 40.3p. This year, the analyst sees profits and EPS putting on 7% to £21.7 million and 43.2p respectively.

Although a 2013 price/earnings (PE) ratio of 20 times is demanding, the premium rating is justified by Nichols’ sector-leading returns, overseas growth scope and the outside chance of a bid as the soft drinks industry consolidates.

http://www.barchart.com/opinions/stocks/NICL.LS

On Wednesday, Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) closed at 871.75, 2.05% below its 52-week high of 890.00, set on Nov 15, 2012.

Consensus recommendation
As of Feb 25, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 4 polled investment analysts covering Nichols plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts deteriorated on Dec 02, 2011. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to purchase equity in Nichols plc.
.

http://markets.ft.com/research/Markets/Tearsheets/Forecasts?s=NICL:LSE

The naked trader 27 Feb -


Nichols (LON:NICL) where I now sit on a fabulous profit is up again after telling the market it is ahead of expectations - it has tons of cash so I'd expect them to announce some kind of big dividend with results in March.

As of Mar 02, 2013, the consensus forecast amongst 4 polled investment analysts covering Nichols plc advises that the company will outperform the market. This has been the consensus forecast since the sentiment of investment analysts deteriorated on Dec 02, 2011. The previous consensus forecast advised investors to purchase equity in Nichols plc.

On Monday, Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) closed at 885.00, 0.56% below its 52-week high of 890.00, set on Nov 15, 2012.

Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 896.14. Over this period, the share price is up 41.81%.

Final results 7 March

Nichols: Canaccord Genuity raises target price from 820p to 1000p and upgrades to buy. Panmure Gordon increases target price from 830p to 900p, while reiterating its hold recommendation.

Preliminary Results

Highlights:

· Group sales up 9% to £107.8m (2011: £98.9m)

· Profit before tax up 13% to £20.5m (2011: £18.1m)

· Earnings per share up 14% to 41.4p (2011: 36.3p)

· Proposed final dividend of 11.7p, total dividend for the year up 13% to 17.3p (2011:15.3p)

· Sales in the UK grew 9%, significantly ahead of the market growth rate

· International sales up 8% year on year




http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4550497