Its come along way since these were a pair of old boots,just bought today mid 280s,spent a few pounds in there of late,so why not!

I'm short skinny.

I was tempted to short yesterday after the recent run and before results today - but didn't!

I went long on the turn this morning and have just closed, but gut feeling is short longer term - but wtfdik.

Ex-divi next wed, 19th Dec (8p)

Interim Management Statement

Key Points for the 15-week Period
· Cycling: an initially weak market for Older-Kids' and Adult-Mainstream Cycles that improved in the final weeks of the period, partially offset by a strong increase in Premium Cycle and Cycle Repairs sales
· Car Maintenance: a strong performance with parts sales up 13.2% and 3Bs fitting penetration, via our unique wefit offer, up 11%pts to a record 39.5%. Mild and wet-weather conditions affected the demand for winter products
· Car Enhancement: improved marketing and stronger range execution supported growth in both Audio and Sat-Nav
· Travel Solutions: reduced sales of Child Car Seats, given our focus on cash returns
· Online Retail: a record 10.9% of Retail revenues reached as customers took advantage of Halfords' fulfilment offer
· Autocentres: another strong revenue performance as management continued to invest for the future

Financial Position

There has been no material change in the Group's financial position which remains sound.

Planning Assumptions

We do not anticipate a material improvement in short-term trading conditions. Given the Retail revenue performance in the period our plans would indicate Group Profit Before Tax for the year ended 29 March 2013 in the range of £68-72m, a modest upgrade to our prior assumptions. We will continue to exit old inventory as we invest for the next financial year.

That gap is getting closer.

Q4 Pre-Close Statement tomorrow.

Pre-Close Statement

Key Points for the 11-week Period
The prolonged winter period resulted in a year-on-year change in the sales mix in the period, benefitting Car Maintenance whilst having a marked dampening effect on our outdoor-focused categories, such as Cycling and Travel Solutions.

· Cycling: a delayed start to the season, though Premium Cycle sales were resilient and online parts, accessory and clothing sales increased by 26.5% ahead of the full-scale online launch this year
· Car Maintenance: a strong performance with 3Bs parts sales up 26.3% and fitting penetration up 10.6% pts to 39.4%, benefitting from the strategic wefit focus
· Car Enhancement: Sat Nav sales flat with growth in Audio not enough to offset the decline in Car Cleaning
· Travel Solutions: reduced demand for outdoor products were partly mitigated by winter-related accessory sales such as snow chains and shovels
· Online Retail: a 13.4% increase in sales reflected a 24.7% increase in Sat Nav revenues
· Autocentres: 12 centres opened in the period but fleet sales remain under pressure

FY13 Expectations
The Board anticipates Group Profit Before Tax for the year ended 29 March 2013 to remain in line with prior assumptions within the range of £68-72m. The Group's financial position is sound; as previously highlighted, we have focused on exiting old inventory as we invest for the new financial year.

N+1 Singer Buy 321.75 316.10 390.00 390.00 Reiterates

Investec Buy 319.05 385.00 385.00 Reiterates

Espirito Santo Execution Noble Buy 322.30 316.10 350.00 350.00 Retains

Looking for 330p good volume and RSI on the up.

And there is 330p

Ticking up quiet nicely.

Latest broker recommendation :-

Barclays Capital Overweight 349.55 375.00 375.00 Reiterates

Tick tick.

JP Morgan Cazenove Overweight 369.00 369.00 243.00 405.00 Upgrades

Just closed half @389 +60.

N+1 Singer Buy 396.80 390.00 440.00 Reiterates

Final Results

Key Points For The Year
· Group revenues up 1.0%
· Successful implementation of areas of strategic focus, particularly Car Maintenance and Online fulfilment
· Broadly-flat Retail gross margin and a decline in the Autocentres gross margin reflecting tyre mix
· Retail operating costs up 5.3% with investment in colleagues and strategic initiatives
· Decline in profit before tax and non-recurring items of 21.9%, in line with expectations
· 23 new Autocentres opened as investment for long-term growth continues
· Free cashflow of £71.8m and net debt down 20.5%
· Final dividend of 9.1 pence proposed

Getting Into Gear 2016
· Existing three-pillared strategic framework robust, recognising the many strengths of Halfords
· Autocentres strategy remains unchanged; growth of 20-30 new centres per year to continue
· Re-positioning of Retail business: focus on sales growth to support ongoing sustainable profitability
· The three-year Retail plan contains the following five elements:
- Service Revolution: a step change in customer service
- The H Factor: reasserting Halfords authoritative category propositions
- Stores Fit To Shop: upgrading the Halfords store estate
- 21st Century Infrastructure: developing necessary IT and supply-chain capabilities
- Click With The Digital Future: creating a service-led digital proposition
· The plan includes c.£100m of Retail capital investment over three years, underpinned by a significant increase in both operating costs and stock
· Group sales target of £1bn in FY16

Plop!

That's a big plop - sorry for holders of this one.

Deutsche Bank Sell 313.10 310.00 300.00 Downgrades

Exane BNP Paribas Neutral 313.10 380.00 340.00 Retains