Marchpole is one of those stocks which have had a really bad time. Boardroom battles, losses, price collapse, profit warnings up the ying yang.

Now all of those things seem to be sorted out, new management are getting to grips, new contracts and the price is on the up. So much so that Monday ought to see a 50/200 day MA golden cross.

DYOR of course, but I think I will be putting a few of these away at the open.

Socco

There's an 'L' trade of 1,000,000, don't know if this is a buy or sell. Anyone else know?

Its a late notification...I think the trading time was something like 12.40 from yesterday. Where mph is at the moment I can only think that there are big buyers....doesnt appear to be much reason to sell...personally holding for 60p by March/April

Dividend statement giving key dates was released this morning. A reminder that things are going well with Marchpole.

And after a few days of consolidation, MPH is moving up this morning. News must come out soon of an aquisition, and the weekend press could well be speculating about this.

Some bigger buys going through today. 100,000, 250,000 and a 100,000 rollover. This could start moving up again after the recent consolidation while the cracking results were digested.

Boateng on the news last night. He's designed the new Coutt's Bank credit card in a rather nice purple. The news said it looks very similar to a Nectar Card. I know which one I would rather have! lol.

P

Busy x'mas shopping only 30 days left.Would be busy buying MPH in the sales if not fully invested.Bargain if you ask me.

Well lex, I added some more yesterday at 31.3p

capa

Could add some more at 30 if you want!

Today's price presents a great buying opportunity. Just have a look at this statement. Interims were excellent. Company said "its continuing success will be reflected in results for the full year".


09/11/04
Marchpole sees continuing success at FY after strong H1 UPDATE
AFX

LONDON (AFX) - Marchpole Holdings PLC, which designs, produces and sells clothing and accessories for six world class brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Boateng and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, said its continuing success will be reflected in results for the full year.

The comments came alongside strong figures for the six months ended Oct 2 2004 which showed profit before tax up 216 pct to 2.5 mln stg from 0.8 mln on turnover up 97 pct to 15.7 mln stg from 8.0 mln.

Operating profit was up 194 pct to 2.6 mln stg.

The board also declared an interim dividend of 0.25 pence, compared with nil a year earlier.

YSL and Boateng combined Spring Summer 2005 order books are up 11 pct to 11.0 mln stg from 9.9 mln at same time last year. The JCC Spring Summer 2005 sales order book is at 2.5 mln stg.

Chief executive Greg Tufnell said the strong set of half year results; the successful launch and integration of Jean Charles de Castelbajac and the opening of the flagship store in Paris and the new licence agreement with Emanuel Ungaro show that Marchpole is succeeding in its strategy of developing current brands while extending the portfolio through acquisitions and licensing agreements.

The group's overall Autumn Winter 2004 order book currently stands at over 16.6 mln stg of which 86 pct has already been delivered to customers to date.

Excluding JCC there is a like for like improvement in the Autumn Winter 2004 order books of 28 pct for the YSL and Boateng brands compared to this time last year.

With these results, including the first season of JCC, and the new licence with Emanuel Ungaro in September the group is fulfilling its strategy of developing new brands and expanding the business -- a strategy which it intends to continue. The board said it is also currently in discussion with third parties to advance new opportunities both in terms of licensing and brand acquisitions.

It's worth noting that we are now back to the price that accompanied the RNS that announced Man Financial had bought a notifiable interest. Who would you trust to get it right!

Marchpole Holdings PLC
28 September 2004

MARCHPOLE HOLDINGS PLC
Holding in the Company

The Company was notified on 24 September 2004 that Man Financial Limited, a
member of Man Group PLC, is the beneficial holder of 5,395,000 ordinary shares
of 1p each in the Company, representing 4.07 per cent. of the issued share
capital of the Company.


Historical Prices :
Date Open High Low Close Volume Adj Close*

1-Oct-04 32.25 32.25 31.25 31.50 1,038,420 31.50
30-Sep-04 32.25 32.25 31.00 32.41 762,923 32.41
29-Sep-04 31.50 33.00 31.50 32.50 2,214,900 32.50
28-Sep-04 29.75 31.50 29.50 31.50 1,444,540 31.50
27-Sep-04 29.75 30.00 29.75 29.75 850,797 29.75
24-Sep-04 30.75 30.75 30.00 29.75 520,491 29.75
23-Sep-04 29.50 30.75 29.50 30.50 2,612,980 30.50

Oh dear, the market doesn't like the latest RNS regarding Boateng's alleged breach of contract litigation. Views anyone?

P

I would suspect that Boateng has started distributing his O to Z range again, hence the problem.


Boateng

We announced during October 2002 that a licence agreement had been signed to
produce and sell a new diffusion range designed by Ozwald Boateng. As part of
this agreement Ozwald Boateng has agreed to 'cease distribution of his O to Z
range' from August 2003 onwards. This licence runs for seven years and is for
the UK market with the opportunity to extend internationally. During the months
since the licence was signed the first collection has been designed and sold and
the order book stands at 0.5 million with sixty top tier retailers - an
excellent first season's performance. The second (Spring/Summer 2004)
collection is nearing completion and we are optimistic for a strong sales
response.

Boateng is only a tiny part of the business.

Boateng

Since the launch of the first collection for Boateng for Autumn Winter 2003,
significant progress has been made to define the offering and understand our
target customers' requirements. The collection for Autumn Winter 2004 builds on
the identity of the Boateng brand and shows its strengths in the tailoring
offer. The Autumn Winter 2004 order book currently stands at 0.7 million, an
increase of over 34% on the same time last year for the Autumn Winter 2003
collection.

Marchpole first half profit trebles
Date: 09 November 2004

LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in Marchpole Holdings, which makes and distributes designer clothes rose over 5% after it said first half pre-tax profit increased three fold while sales more than doubled.

The group, which makes Yves Saint Laurent and Boateng ranges, said pre-tax profit surged to 2.5m from 804,000 for the six months to Oct 2 on turnover of 15,668 from 7,963 before. Operating profit climbed 194% to 2.6m.

"We are very pleased with Marchpole's performance and expect this continuing success to be reflected in the full year results," said chief executive Greg Tufnell.

Looking ahead the Autumn Winter 2004 order book currently stands at over 16.6m of which 86% has already been delivered to customers to date.

The board also declared an interim dividend of 0.25p, compared with nil
a year earlier.

Look at the buyers flooding back in!

Thanks grevis2, it is a small part.

P

Thanks, your welcome!

I suppose it is a good sign of strong management that they want to protect each and every deal hopefully for the benefit of shareholders?

P

Parsonsmead: Boateng will climb down. He won't let this get to court. He went bust once, that will be enough to unnerve him. Besides, MPH manufacture and distribute the product and that will continue. I would suggest that Boateng has tried to do a deal with someone else for another product line that is in breach of the agreement signed with MPH.

We also need to recognise that turnover is set to increase further thanks to the new licence agreement signed with Emanuel Ungaro in September:

"With these results, including the first season of JCC, and the new licence with Emanuel Ungaro in September the group is fulfilling its strategy of developing new brands and expanding the business -- a strategy which it intends to continue."