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/

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.
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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

Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 905.50. Over this period, the share price is up 39.74%.

Nichols: Investec raises target price from 800p to 890p and retains a hold recommendation.

A buy in this weeks IC - Weight watchers add fizz to Nichols.

Nichols share price hit new highs after another outstanding set of results. Home sales grew 9% against a 3% increase in UK soft drinks turnover overall, thanks to a double -digit rise in the number of outlets selling Vimto, along with successful new product launches. The top new performer was a line of no-calorie drinks for diet -brand weight watchers. Exports were another favourable factor, with sales up 22% in Africa and an impressive 24% in Europe. Overall, exports were 8% higher but were held back by flat income in the Middle East, partly due to the unfavourable timing of Ramadan. Good cost controls meant the fall in gross margins because of rising prices of raw materials -such as plastic , aluminium and sweeteners- was reversed at operating level. Broker Canaccord Genuity expects underlying pre-tax profits of £22.5m and EPS of 45.4p this year (from £22.5m and EPS of 40.9p in 2012)
One key to the years results will be how quicklyagreements to distribute products in North Africa via a large French distributor and in equatorial Africa via the Coca-Cola network ramp up. After another increase in net cash, acquisitions could be on the cards. On a prospective PE ratio of around 20 , nichol's don't appear cheap.But the rating is more than justified by the company's move into the UK's healthy drinks market - while export opportunities continue to abound.

Winner of the Best Food and Beverage PLC in the UK Stock Market awards 2013 in Shares mag this week.



As of Mar 15, 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.

Ex-dividend Wednesday 27 March 11.7p

On Tuesday, Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) closed at 899.00, 0.72% below its 52-week high of 905.50, set on Mar 07, 2013.

Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) set a new 52-week high during Thursday's trading session when it reached 907.00. Over this period, the share price is up 38.69%

Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 920.00. Over this period, the share price is up 37.52%.

2012 Final dividend payment

Friday 3rd May 2013

Nichols PLC (NICL:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 940.00. Over this period, the share price is up 37.88%.

The naked trader today - Nichols (LON:NICL)where I now sit on a fabulous profit is up again and seems to have cleared 900 - a tenner next? It just keeps going, please keep drinking that Vimto!

A buy in this weeks IC - The company has good cost control, which means it can protect margins against higher raw material costs and this year distribution agreements in Africa will be key to success. With net cash in the bank, there are rumours that acquisitions could be on the horizon, too. Admittedly, the shares are trading on a punchy 22 times earnings, but that's a price worth paying for Nichols growth prospects and rising dividend.