Noticed that this sausage skin maker reported yesterday. Good results, low debt and dividend yield of 8%. Looks tasty to me so I bought some more shares yesterday. Anyone else investing in this company? I heard rumours about a group called Acomita building a stake - anyone know what's happened to them?
TIA

"Devro keeps an eye on Acomita"

http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/business.cfm?id=308472003

Thanks for that Grouper, it's not easy to find information on these small caps in the FT which is why I've decided to try some of these internet BBs. I own a few shares in this company and get the feeling that they're now on the right track so I increased my holding about a week before results. I now have an average price of 66p per share so I'm hoping that I'll break even some time this year.

15 March 2003

Devro

Devro shares went from hot to dog after a profit warning in 1998, and has not switched back. The sausage skin-maker is back on even keel, having reduced debt. Competition also appears to have eased and trading started well this year. Acomita, a Swiss outfit with 14 per cent, could be a value investor, or a potential bidder. No harm in holding Devro shares.



http://money.independent.co.uk/personal_finance/invest_save/story.jsp?story=387152

From the Sunday Times.

March 16, 2003

Sharewatch: Swiss stalk Devro



Devro: Famous for making collagen and sausage skins, the share price of this Scots company has fallen from 93p to 41p in the past year. Its market value has slumped to 89m.

But a mixture of interest from a Swiss investment vehicle called Acomita, a slight rise in pre-exceptional profits announced last week and a near-halving of debts, helped Devro’s share price rise to 55.5p on Friday.

Devro said it does not know who is behind Acomita, which owns nearly 14% of the company. Graeme Alexander, chief executive of Devro, said it had invited Acomita to introduce itself — to no avail.

Since Acomita appeared on the share register in January, there has been speculation it might be a vehicle for a potential bid from another food manufacturer. Acomita appears to scent a bargain.

Profits before tax and exceptional items at Devro for 2002 were 15.5m, up from 15.2m the year before. Devro has also cut its debt from 60m to 35.2m.

Shares are rising steadily and Signal Seeker (TA program) just identified a double bottom and price target of 68-72p.

Signal Seeker
Technical Event Lookup
View Guide
Technical Events for Devro Int'l plc (DVO on London)


Event Date Complex Pattern Event Possible Target Price Range
14 Mar 2003 Double Bottom 55.50p 68.00p - 72.00p

I'm going to buy some more of these with my wages on Friday, just hope they stay below 60p until then.

Anyone 4 Sausages??!!??

on a breakout!!! keeps on rising.

unsubstantiated , but gossip of 140 bid on these this afternoon

Very solid results last week and price has responded accordingly.Manufacturer of collagen casings used primarily in food industry, but may have applications in other markets. Went through a bad patch a few years ago, but switch of some manufacture to Czech Republic has left a decent quality business with steady growth prospects. Excellent operational cash flow generator and increased dividend a sign of confidence. I bought for the first time last November (123p) and expect to hold within ISA for a number of years. Consider them likely to more than pay for their keep for the patient, but always DYOR

Devro DVO was churned out on my screener this morning with both fundies and TA looking rather solid at the moment.

Ive hopefully caught it with MACD turning positive to back up the Flag chart pattern on the SP chart.

Confident statement at AGM today reinforces my view that this is a quality business for the medium term, but always DYOR.

Excellent interim figures today - despite effect of increased sales on working capital, plus substantial cap ex on new plant/equipment, they have reduced debt significantly. Market looks good for the foreseeable future and benefits of that cap ex to come. Hefty increase in dividend a sign of confidence. Only negative for me is the size of the pension deficit. IMO a very good share for long term ISA but always DYOR.

Spendid progress since the 73p low of July 2008
Why did we not have more investment courage in that dark period

Wee Punt Long (SB) @ 234.2 tight stop.

First class set of results today - and they have addressed the pension scheme deficit referred to in post 14. A real quality business with good growth prospects. China remains an untapped market - although whether they would be able to cope without large injection of new capital is questionable. I have added more recently and they are locked away in my ISA, but always dyor.

Agreed partridge, a tuck away for me.

re;china - you would have noticed the director relocation, clearly made with the intent to gain a proper foothold in that market - I'm guessing via a Joint Venture or licensing deal, rather than an acquisition.

Obviously a massive positive for this share

Indeed, Joe. As in other areas previously, the management look to be assessing the options very carefully before making what will hopefully be the right decision (and track record suggests they will).

Decent IMS this week and brave decision to invest heavily so far on course. Sales in UK/Australia slightly lower against comparative period, but rest of world (approx 75% by my reckoning) growing nicely. Unexciting, but nothing wrong with that and imo a solid hold for the medium term. Currently quite heavy into sausages as I have quite high weighting in DVO and GRG! Always dyor.