Kingston Communications is an established UK communications company. The Group's national business-to-business capabilities encompass the provision of fully integrated and managed network solutions, complemented by the delivery of voice, data and call handling services in the towns and cities served by the Kingston Communications network. This infrastructure comprises twenty-five metropolitan fibre networks and a long distance broadband network, which was initiated for service in May 2001. Kingston's new media activities include the DSL-based interactive television service, KIT, and satellite broadband content, storage and distribution arm, Kingston inmedia. The Group's East Yorkshire network operation has served business and residential customers since 1904.

Well thats it for me pre Xmas, off out.
Merry Xmas to all.
Greek.

Merry Xmas to you greekman (and the rest) :-)
Looks like a few others haver gone out as well...... 134 shares traded so far!

KC continue to expand. It looks a good buy considering the asset value level.
Time will tell.

Nice liitle write up by the Independent.

See link for full article...http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article2208340.ece

Kingston Communications

Our view: Buy

Share price: 79.5p (+1.5p)

Kingston Communications shares touched 1,579p during the dotcom boom in 2000. It is pretty safe to say that they will never get anywhere near that level again. However, in recent months the stock has enjoyed a modest rally as the Hull-based group has gone on the acquisition trail in an attempt to reduce its dependence on its traditional landline telephone business.

Are Hull City Council about to Bale.

Over the last few years/months several rumors have been doing the rounds.
But the latest comments made by certain councilors looks to me like the councils holdings are now tenuous.
It was reported in the Hull Daily Mail yesterday, that the council is split to whether they sell their 30.6% or not.
Two councilors appear to be pushing for a re think of the attachment with KC.
Both councilors, Colin Inglis and Terry Geraghty are both wanting a serious debate on the subject. Both these councilors have a lot of pull on the council and are (in my opinion) likely to get their way.
Hull City Council are and have been for a long while very short of money.
The council gained 255mill on the flotation of KC in 1999, so will they be tempted to completely sell off this golden goose.

I posted several months ago that the regeneration of the city center would go well over budget (doesn't everything council related). Since then there has been an abundance of evidence that the council are attempting to save money and cut services at every turn.
It is well know that HCC are incompetent and that they couldn't organize a raffle.
A couple of years ago they had their powers greatly reduced due to scoring so low on the council league tables, it was stated that they were, what the term would be now as unfit for purpose.
Last months the London Brokers, Seymour Pierce went on record stating that "The big issue is the councils shareholding. It has got a blocking share on things".

So will HCC jump ship and dump the shares on the market or make it clear that they are pro an offer, thus removing the potential of a block move.

My opinion (for what its worth) is that they will decide to make it known there is no longer a KC never goes culture in the council.

Small independent Telecom Companies such as KC are forever fighting to keep up with the big boys, and whilst I appreciate that in several areas they are improving services, and efficiency, they still face stiff competition against the conglomerates.

Don't often give set predictions, but I think that KC have only a couple of years left at best, and that even by end of this year, they will be no longer.

Looking at the last offer from Carlyle in 2005 at a rumored price of 85 a share, a sp offer price of 1 would not be out of the question, and could/would HCC be able to avoid the temptation.

They need the money, and as the saying goes. When Needs Must.

Greek.

All IMHO of course.

the above story takes us back about 18 months when KC were effectively or even actually offered 85p but HCC refused to accept .... and again I think that was a split decision ....... to my mind, with sp already hovering around 80p, there is no great reason to keep holding

Not thinking of exiting at 80p!!

you could be holding for a long time before t/o actually materialises

cynic, I am not looking for t/o specifically, more growth, and KCOM is growing.

More progress:

http://www.kcom.com/news/articles/news_14_03_07_1.shtml

A good SP rise on the day especially when the market as a whole has had a stinker.

Trading statement tomorrow (Friday 30 March) at 7.00 a.m.

Trading Statement Out.

Overall Group performance for 2006/07 is expected to be in line with
expectations.

If you look at the figures, expectations are very high. I also don't think that the SP is as yet reflecting these forecast results.

a serious Q ..... why do you think KCOM has an independent future? ..... if it does not, which is my view, then they have a serious problem in that HCC holds about 30% and scuppered the previous t/o offer of 85p through greed or stupidity or both

Hi Cynic,

I think KC have an independent future due to their continuing progress. Their profits are increasing yearly. They also do not appear to be struggling fundamentally, but saying that I do think they will be taken over as in the Comms Sector this appears to be the trend. I also agree that the holdings of HCC could be a problem, but for my previous reasons stated, I doubt if HCC will if the offer is tempting enough, stand in their way.
So in a nutshell, KC can stand on their own, but will they eventually have a choice.

telecom industry is consolidating rapidly .... even PXC, many times the size of KCOM, have thrown in the towel, to the great advantage of the shareholders

Nice little increase by Legal & General Group plc.

Number of shares / amount of stock acquired 3,197,658.

Results out. Look good in most area's.
Profits up, cash flow good. Cash in bank.
It appears the management team have finally got a grip.
Also the future looks good.
Will see what the market thinks.
Will this bring out the takeover movers. No doubt the rumor mill will start rolling again.

Also.....Council's intention to sell the 157,499,999
ordinary shares it holds in Kingston subject, inter alia, to market conditions.
The sale, if completed, would represent the entire stake the Council holds in
Kingston.

This will alter things. The council (who couldn't run a phone box) need the money. They are not bothered about the future. They want now.

if the above is accurate, then it just shows what a bunch of total arseholes are sitting in HCC .... they could have sold at 85 a year or so back but decided to be greedy

Different council since the last elections, but saying that I don't expect any difference. The only difference is in the council majority. I have been expecting a sellout for years. As cynic states, they could have sold out at a much higher price. This council have as much foresight as the last lot. Absolutely none.