Copied from Croda's web site, it gives a quick insight into the niche markets in which this company specialises ...... They also own Uniquema, which is how the latter fits in ......

Croda isnt a household name but household names have made us successful. Within our core speciality chemicals business we focus on personal care, health care, home care and plastics additive markets.

Uniqema (cynic adds - acquisition completed 1/9/06) provides base oleochemicals such as fatty acids, polymerised fatty acids, glycerine and soap to a global market. With years of experience and technical advancements, Uniqema is a global market leader.


Now you have the outline, here are the charts to follow ..... Croda has generally been a steady performer, and none the worse for it ...... the chart today, following the announcement of a sale of a part of the biz, sp has moved upwards with indications that it could be about to break upwards .... and i have backed my mouth with my money

bought into this on Guy Fawkes Night, and what a little sparkler it has developed into

Stunning first quarter figures this morning. Superb business.

Continues to outperform, but must admit to having banked a bit more profit. Still a core holding in ISA.

i am such a wuss! .... i start the thread extolling the virtues of the stock, but haven't held for ages! .... perhaps i should marry some money to the gob even now

Croda is a specialist chemicals company with an impressive track record. For the last three years the company has delivered, on average, annual eps growth of 33% and dividend growth of 43% per annum.

One of Croda's specialities is providing raw materials for the cosmetics industry. In the company's most recent trading statement, Croda reported a 13.7% increase in profits from this division. Cosmetics companies seem to have successfully convinced men that they also need the products only women ever used to buy. This presents real revenue growth opportunities for Croda.

The market demands investors stump up for shares in this huge success story. The company today trades on 18.4 times 2011's earnings and 16.9 times the 2012 consensus forecast.

Croda demonstrates how the market will reward success -- especially if it can be convinced the success will continue. Croda lacks exposure to the financial sector and only has indirect consumer risk. As such, the shares have been somewhat unaffected by the current panic.

Perhaps investors should not be surprised how well Croda shares have done. Unfortunately, at today's price it looks like Croda's biggest gains may have already been made. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, Treatt might be worth examining. Treatt is a similar business to Croda but trades on a lower P/E rating and pays a higher dividend

Stretching a point to compare CRDA (sales £1BN+) with TET (sales £75M) but I have held both in ISA for a number of years and hold each of them in high regard. Always dyor.

Stock added to Bullish Trending Charts over on Chart Attack thread.

Speciality chemicals group Croda International was another high riser after JP Morgan Cazenove upgraded the stock to 'overweight', lifting its target price from 2,220p to 2,600p.

Chemicals company Croda International was in demand as traders remained ambivalent about which direction stockmarkets are heading.

Croda, which makes speciality chemicals for beauty and healthcare products, perked up 58p to £21.83 on speculation its second-quarter figures, due on July 24th, will beat market expectations.

Martin Evans, an analyst at JP Morgan Cazenove, appeared to trigger the speculation after he said in a note that second-quarter results are likely to be "robust".

"Some year-on-year currency pressure from the adverse £/€ rate is likely ... but equally input costs we suspect have begun to trend lower which may provide a cushion in the second quarter," said Mr Evans.

Mr Evans who upgraded the Croda to "overweight" from "neutral" concluded: "The combination of newer products and relatively robust pricing initiatives should allow the high margins of around 30pc to be maintained - or even go slightly higher as costs remain under control and price rises benefit the overall return."

One for the Sipp. yup

Croda International has dropped 8% to 2,315p since last Monday, although the speciality chemicals firm has not issued any formal news to shareholders since July.

Simple profit-taking could be one reason for Croda's decline. Even with the recent fall, this share has gained 28% since the start of the year. Loyal investors will not be worrying too much either, as the price has advanced six-fold since late 2008 and 11-fold since early 2003.

July's half-year results showed both earnings and the dividend up 8%.

DC - "Loyal investors will not be worrying too much either" Really? Guess the ones who took the profits certainly wont be mate. :O) One to watch.

Still doing very well this year. :-))

DC - Can't knock it mate, been a marvelous ride. May have a dabble myself when it gets back over 50DMA, could be tomorrow,next week or a week on Tuesday:O)

Shortie - One for the Sipp Yup? Nope? errrr Ma,May, Maybe....?

On a more serious note slight hiccup no doubt, but would help if the company gave us a bit of clue don't you think?

Agree Chris, Its a good company, so should recover. Have a look at Fidessa (FDSA).
Off to Malta in the morning. No DC for a week. lol

Enjoy DC, have a good un:O)

Cheers Chris.

Chris Carson - I think your comment was aimed at me ratehr than Shortie.

Why would it not be for the SIPP? Pension plans are for longer term investments, stocks that pay a dividend etc. I think as a trader maybe you can't see beyond next Monday. It certainly is one for the SIPP and just because it's lost a few % doesn't make that statement wrong. Ta-da

chuckles - Apologies, your quite correct my comment was aimed at you oooops, who the fxxx is shortie, sorry mate. Sense of humour by-pass required? no offence intended:O)

Chris Carson - I never considered that you required a sense of humour by pass!

No offence taken old bean, nice to see you rsing to the bait, hehe :))