I know it's not the sexiest of sectors, but do any of the technical chartists here think this represents a testing of a significant resistance?
The MDAs seem to offer support. It looks to me like if it could break that line, then a potential line of resistance at about 336 there will be serious upside to follow.
Can this go places?

Red:25 DMA
Green:50 DMA

Ex-Dividend
28 Nov 12St Ives PLC [SIV] (4 p)

Interim Management Statement
PRNW


27 November 2012

St Ives plc - Interim Management Statement

St Ives, the UK's leading marketing services and print group, is today
publishing its Interim Management Statement covering the period from 28 July
2012 to date.

We have made a good start to the current financial year with revenue for the
fourteen week period ended 2 November 2012 broadly flat compared to the
equivalent period last year, reflecting the benefit of growth across our
Marketing Services businesses, offset by the revenue impact of our decision to
exit commoditised print markets. As a result, margins are improved and
underlying operating profit is ahead of the equivalent period for the prior
year.

We continue to make good progress with our strategy to reposition the business
and offer an extended range of services and added value customer solutions from
across the Group's capabilities.

Print

Trading conditions remain challenging but despite the anticipated fall in
revenue, we have managed to improve margins and therefore maintain underlying
operating profit. Within our Direct Response business, the closure of the Leeds
facility will complete on schedule and the work will be transferred to our
remaining site in Bradford. Our Point of Sale business continues to perform
well and we have successfully renegotiated a number of our larger contracts.
Service Graphics, our Exhibition and Events business, has performed well in the
period and is benefitting from the reputation for the quality and reliability
of the services that we provided during the London Olympics. Whilst our Books
business continues to be impacted by changing order patterns, our reputation
for service and reliability ensures we produce the majority of the bestselling
titles.

Marketing Services

With a contribution from all of the Marketing Services businesses in the
period, revenue and underlying operating profit are significantly ahead of the
equivalent period for last year. All of the acquisitions have integrated well
and we are winning business at an individual business level and through
combining our capabilities on specific customer propositions. We will continue
to invest in this area of our business, and to seek further selective
acquisitions that extend our ability to offer a comprehensive and
differentiated proposition to our target markets.

Outlook

The actions we have taken to reposition the Group have enabled us to make
progress in spite of headwinds in the UK economy. The new financial year has
started well, the balance sheet remains strong and we remain confident that
further progress will be made as we continue to execute our strategy.

St Ives confident despite headwinds
Tue 27 Nov 2012

SIV - St Ives

Latest Prices
Name Price %
St Ives 105.75p +2.67%

FTSE All-Share 3,037 +0.48%
FTSE Small Cap 3,247 +0.05%
Support Services 5,159 +0.26%

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Marketing services and print group St Ives said it made a good start to the current financial year with revenue for the fourteen weeks to November broadly flat compared to the year before.

Margins improved and underlying operating profit rose compared to last year.

The group, which bought three new marketing services earlier this year as part of its move away from print, said growth across its marketing services businesses from end of July to date was offset by the revenue impact of its decision to exit print markets.

St Ives said trading conditions in print remain challenging but despite the anticipated fall in revenue, it has improved margins and maintained underlying operating profit.

In marketing services revenue and underlying operating profit were significantly ahead of the equivalent period for last year and all of its acquisitions have integrated well.

"The actions we have taken to reposition the group have enabled us to make progress in spite of headwinds in the UK economy," the group said in a statement.

"The new financial year has started well, the balance sheet remains strong and we remain confident that further progress will be made as we continue to execute our strategy."

Ex-dividend Wednesday 28 Nov 4.0p

Sold my holding, starting to slip. Made a good profit here

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Looking positive again.,.

It certainly is. Next leg up underway. Still plenty left in the tank.

Nice find chaps.

The 4½ year weekly chart looks interesting - I know absolutely nothing about the company btw.

Skinny - is that a bowl or a very flat cup and handle? Whatever, it looks like we now have a four year high and a breakout. Even at this exalted level, the shares are still very lowly rated. 160 next stop.

Whatever it is, it looks promising.

Up another 3.6% yesterday - I'm not in these as yet!!!

Your chance could be coming. Looks like the current rise is running out of steam. A pull back should establish a new trading range until the next company update and then I reckon they will move ahead again.

Half Yearly Report

Group Financial Highlights

· Underlying* Group revenue of £161.7m (2012: £166.4m)

· Marketing Services revenue up 36.4% to £31.1m (2012: £22.8m)

· Underlying* profit before tax up 10.1% to £12.2m (2012: £11.1m)

· Basic underlying* earnings per share up 8.8% to 7.67p (2012: 7.05p)

· Interim dividend raised by 14.3% to 2.0p per share (2012: 1.75p per share)

· Strong balance sheet with net debt at 1 February 2013 of £7.0m

(27 July 2012: £13.4 m)



All figures for revenue, profit and earnings per share are based on continuing operations.
* Before non-underlying items which comprise restructuring costs, operating results of non-continuing sites, acquisition costs, contingent consideration required to be treated as remuneration, net profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment, amortisation of acquired intangibles and other one-off items.

Operational Highlights

· Continued success in implementing the strategic repositioning of the Group
· Marketing Services segment generated 31% of underlying Group operating profit
· Proposed acquisition of Amaze will further enhance Marketing Services offering
· Print segment major restructuring now complete, overall level of profitability maintained
· Our market leading Books business benefited from investment in new digital printing equipment
· New contracts won across the Group during the period, including Innocent Drinks, Johnston Press, JD Williams and Pizza Hut
· Over fifty clients now trade with more than one business within the Group

Looking to break out again, but today's doom and gloom market has knocked it back temporarily. If we can hold on to this level, the next decent day in the market will see it through 140.

sp 153p on the rise again.

Revenues down a bit. Might be in if it goes any lower.

Disappointing response from the market. Anyone would think that today's announcement was a profit warning. Buying opportunity?

My view too.

LISTEN: St. Ives (SIV) - Preliminary results for the 53 weeks ended 2 August 2013

Click here

Two substantial Director buys on Wednesday which I missed. Shows confidence. There's only one reason for buying shares. Looks as though I will have to hold on to mine for a while longer.

IMS today - ex dividend tomorrow 4.50p