Cambria was established in 2006 with a strategy to build a balanced motor retail group, through close cooperation with its manufacturer partners and the self funded acquisition and turnaround of under-performing businesses. This strategy has proved very successful.

Following the acquisition of County Motor Works in January 2013, the Group now comprises 27 dealerships, representing 42 franchises and 17 brands, in a balanced portfolio spanning the high luxury, premium and volume segments.

The Group operates dealerships across England with a geographical spread from the North West through the Midlands, down to Kent in the South East and across as far as Exeter in the South West, trading under local brand names, including, Dees, Doves, Grange, Invicta, Motorparks and Pure Triumph.

Cambria's brand portfolio currently comprises Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Chrysler Jeep, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Jaguar, Mazda, Nissan, Renault, Seat, Vauxhall, Volvo and Triumph.

Our success in turning around under-performing dealerships has enabled Cambria to build a strong balance sheet. As a result, the Group is now in a position to consider acquisitions which are earnings enhancing from the outset, strengthening Cambria's brand portfolio mix further and fulfilling our national ambitions to create five regional clusters, each with a turnover of £200 million.


http://www.cambriaautomobilesplc.com/our_brands

http://www.cambriaautomobilesplc.com/index.jsp

.

A broker update would of been handy today, may be in the morning.

ST of IC - So although the shares are closing in on my 90p target price, there should be more fuel left in the tank to drive this upgrade cycle further. Indeed, Matthew McEachran at broking house N+1 Singer raised his fair value estimate from 86p to 95p post news of yesterday's acquisition, and Mike Allen at Zeus Capital has a new 130p medium-term target.

Needless to say, on a bid-offer spread of 85p to 87p, valuing Cambria's equity at £87m, and offering 10 per cent potential upside to my new target price of 95p, I rate Cambria shares a buy.

AGM Trading Update

Prior to the Annual General Meeting being held today at 10.00am, the Board of Cambria is pleased to announce the following trading update.

The Group is successfully maintaining the momentum achieved in the last financial year and the trading performance in the first four months of the current financial year has been substantially ahead of the corresponding period in 2014/15. This performance has been achieved in a record new car market with 2015 delivering UK new car registrations of 2,633,503. The market has seen year-on-year growth in registrations in all but one of the last 46 months, although the rate of growth is slowing as the comparatives toughen.

Trading in the first four months of the financial year has been substantially ahead of the corresponding period in 2014/15 on both a total and a like-for-like basis.

New vehicle unit sales were up 4.0% (like-for-like down 1.2%), with gross profit per retail unit improving. Used vehicle sales also performed well, with unit sales 4.7% (like-for-like 2.9%) ahead of the same period in the prior year and gross profit per unit continuing to increase. This performance has significantly enhanced the profit derived from the used car segment of the business. Growth in the Group's aftersales operations has also continued, with profitability up by 3.1% (like-for-like in line) year-on-year.

The Swindon Land Rover business that was acquired on 30 April 2015 has continued to perform in line with expectations. This acquisition added the second Land Rover dealership to the Group, and the Board remains confident about its potential.

On 8 January 2016, the Board was pleased to announce the acquisition of its third Land Rover dealership in Welwyn Garden City. This business will be immediately earnings enhancing in the second half of the 2015/16 financial year.

The Board expects Cambria's Interim Results for the six months to 28 February 2016 to be significantly ahead of the corresponding period of 2014/15 and views the outlook for the remainder of the financial year with confidence. In this regard, the Group's trading performance is tracking in line with the recently revised market expectations for the full year.

-Ends-

Trading update and notice of interim results

Cambria, the franchised motor retailer, announces the following trading update for the period to 29 February 2016 ahead of its interim results.

Trading update

Trading in the first five months of the financial year has been substantially ahead of the corresponding period in 2014/15 on both a total and like-for-like basis.

New vehicle unit sales were up 3.8% (like-for-like down 1.2%) and gross profit per retail unit continued to improve year on year. Used vehicle sales also performed well, with unit sales 4.3% (like-for-like 2.3%) ahead of the same period in the prior year. Gross profit per unit continued to increase and this performance further enhances the profit derived from the used car segment of the business. Growth in the Group's aftersales operations has also continued, with profitability up by 4.1% year-on-year (like-for like flat).

The Swindon Land Rover business that was acquired on 30 April 2015 has continued to perform in line with expectations and the Group's Welwyn Garden City Land Rover dealership, which was acquired on 8 January 2016, is integrating to plan. This business, which is the Group's third Land Rover dealership, will be earnings enhancing in the second half of the 2015/16 financial year.

After the first week of the important March trading period, the new car order book is building well and the Board expects the Group to deliver another strong trading performance in this crucial month. The Board continues to look to the future with confidence.

Notice of results

Cambria will announce its interim results for the six months ended 29 February 2016 on Tuesday 10 May 2016.

-Ends-

Cheers skinny.

ST of IC today - In my book, Cambria’s shares are still worth buying on a bid-offer spread of 80p to 83p and I am comfortable with my 95p target price.

Unaudited Interim Results 2016

Cambria Automobiles plc (AIM: CAMB), the franchised motor retailer, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 29 February 2016, which again show revenue and profits substantially ahead of the comparable period in the prior year, and continued delivery of the Group's strategy.

Financial highlights:

· Revenue increased by 14.7% to £278.4m (H1 2015: £242.8m)
· Underlying Profit before tax up 40.1% at £4.6m (H1 2015: £3.3m)
· Underlying Earnings per share increased 42.5% to 3.69p (H1 2015: 2.59p)
· Underlying net profit margin up 22.8% to 1.67% (H1 2015: 1.36%)
· Positive operational cash flows maintained, with a cash position of £25.3m (H1 2015: £13.0m) and net cash of £0.3m (H1 2015 net debt: £0.9m)
· Strong balance sheet with net assets of £37.6m (H1 2015: £30.4m)
· Rolling twelve month Return on Equity* of 21.15% (H1 2015: 18.65%)
· Interim dividend increased by 33.3% to 0.2p (H1 2015: 0.15p)
· New £37.0m, 5 year banking facilities arranged providing additional funding capacity for growth

Operational highlights:

· New vehicle sales up 5.1% with a 15.4% increase in profit per unit
· Used vehicle sales up 4.4% with a 9.7% improvement in profit per unit and evolution of the Group's focus on return on investment
· Aftersales revenue increased by 8.6% with gross profit improvement of 5.8%
· Acquisition of Welwyn Garden City Land Rover for £10.8m, integration progressing well
· Disposal of Exeter Jaguar in line with strategy of the Group and Jaguar Land Rover
· Swindon Land Rover acquisition delivered a positive profit contribution in line with expectations

Post Period End:
· Opened third Aston Martin business, in Birmingham
· Disposal of Croydon Jaguar in line with the strategy of the Group and Jaguar Land Rover
· Trading in the key plate change month of March was strong, ahead of plan and substantially ahead of previous year

* underlying profit after tax as a proportion of Average Shareholder's funds

Cheers skinny. :-))


ST of IC today - I feel that my 95p target price is not unreasonable. It’s in line with N+1 Singer's target, but on a deep discount to Zeus Capital’s valuation range (117p on a discounted cash flow basis to a blue sky valuation of 158p).

On a bid-offer spread of 75p to 78p, valuing the company’s equity at £78m, I rate Cambria’s shares a buy

By Motley Fool | Tue, 10th May 2016 - 11:21

Shares in car dealership Cambria Automobiles (LSE:CAMB) surged more than 7% higher this morning, after the company published an impressive set of interim results and said that full-year profits will be ahead of market expectations.

Cambria's underlying pre-tax profit rocketed 40.1% higher to £4.6m during the first half of the year, thanks to a 14.7% rise in sales and to big increases in profit margins on new and used cars.

On the face of it, Cambria shares look cheap. Before today's results, earnings per share were expected to rise by 30% to 7.9p this year. This figure is now likely to be upgraded -- I'd estimate that perhaps 8.5p per share is likely. This puts Cambria on a modest forecast P/E of about 8.8.

However, you need to remember that Cambria is a cyclical stock. New car sales have been fuelled by very cheap credit and may now be close to a cyclical peak. Although this is a risk, to some extent it's offset by Cambria's strong aftersales business. Servicing and repairs carry a much higher profit margin than car sales, and generated 40% of the group's gross profit during the first half.

Overall, I think it's probably too soon to sell Cambria. Further gains are possible.

Director was quick to buy just after results announcement ..........

Director Deals - Cambria Automobiles PLC (CAMB)

Philip Swatman, Chairman, bought 10,000 shares in the company on the 10th May 2016 at a price of 75.00p. The Director now holds 260,000 shares.

Director Dealing

RNS


RNS Number : 1981B

Cambria Automobiles Plc

14 June 2016






14 June 2016



Cambria Automobiles plc

("Cambria" or the "Group")

AIM: CAMB



Director Dealing



The Group was informed today that Raigerfield Capital Limited, a family company controlled by Philip Swatman (Chairman) and his wife Rosemary Swatman, has today acquired a total of 15,000 ordinary shares of 10p each in the Group ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 69 pence per Ordinary Share.



Following the acquisition, Philip Swatman and persons related to him are now beneficially interested in 275,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.28% of the issued share capital and total voting rights of the Group.

Acquisition and Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 3335D

Cambria Automobiles Plc

06 July 2016




6 July 2016



Cambria Automobiles plc

("Cambria" or the "Group")

AIM: CAMB



Acquisition and Trading Update



Acquisition



Cambria, the franchised motor retailer, is pleased to announce that on 5 July 2016 it completed the acquisition of the trade and assets of the Jaguar and Land Rover franchise in South Woodford, North London from Pendragon Premier Limited, a subsidiary of Pendragon PLC, for a total cash consideration of £2.1 million. This business has a sales facility in South Woodford and an Aftersales facility in Hainault, Essex operating from leasehold premises. The territory has great potential for the Jaguar and Land Rover franchises and complements the Group's existing Jaguar and Land Rover footprint. The Group now operates 5 Jaguar and 4 Land Rover dealerships under the Grange trading name.



The consideration for the acquisition comprises £2.0 million of goodwill, £0.1 million for fixed assets, £0.1m for used vehicle stock, £0.2 million for parts stock with the remaining £0.3 million deduction in consideration for customer deposits transferred and apportionments. The acquisition is being funded from the Group's existing facilities.



The acquired dealerships' unaudited management accounts for Jaguar and Land Rover for the year ended 31 December 2015 show revenue of £44.4 million and Cambria estimates the adjusted profit before tax for the same period to be £0.7 million. It is anticipated that this acquisition will be earnings neutral for the Group in the remainder of the financial year to 31 August 2016, and will be earnings enhancing in the financial year to 31 August 2017.



Cambria has committed to Jaguar Land Rover that it will relocate the business to a new dealership facility that will be compliant with the JLR Arch Corporate Identity Concept. The lease on the current showroom facility has nine years remaining and therefore it will be necessary to sublet the facility for approximately six years while Cambria is not in occupation. The property advice received during diligence states that the passing rent on the showroom lease is over-rented when compared against the market rent and the Directors have therefore made a fair value assessment of the lease liability amounting to £1.0 million. This will be accounted for as an addition to the overall goodwill attributable to the transaction for the purposes of the Group's statutory accounts to 31 August 2016.



Following this transaction, the Group operates a total of 31 dealerships representing 46 franchises and 17 brands across the UK.



Trading Update



The Group continues to trade well and the strong trading performance reported to March has continued through to the end of June which leaves the Group significantly ahead of the prior year and trading in line with current market expectations for the year to 31 August 2016.



Mark Lavery, Chief Executive Officer of Cambria, said:



"We are pleased to have acquired this Jaguar and Land Rover franchise in North London, which complements and enhances the Group's existing Jaguar Land Rover businesses. The acquisition represents continued delivery of the strategy to develop our portfolio of premium and high luxury franchises in strategic locations by acquiring businesses that are earnings enhancing. The Board believes that the South Woodford territory provides significant potential and we are keen to maximise the opportunity as we build and relocate to a new dealership facility."

Pre-Close Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 8867I

Cambria Automobiles Plc

05 September 2016




5 September 2016



Cambria Automobiles plc

("Cambria" or the "Group")

AIM: CAMB



Pre-Close Trading Update, Board Appointment and Notice of Results



Cambria, the franchised motor retailer, announces the following trading update ahead of its preliminary results for the year to 31 August 2016.



Trading update



The Board is pleased to report that trading in the second half of the financial year continued strongly following a good first half. Trading in the first 11 months of the financial year was substantially ahead of the corresponding period in 2014/15 on both a total and like-for-like basis. The Board is confident of delivering results for the full year in line with the revised market expectations.



New vehicle unit sales were up 11.0% (like-for-like up 3.8%), with gross profit per retail unit increasing year on year in the total Group and in the like-for-like businesses.



Used vehicle sales also performed well, with unit sales 4.4% (like-for-like 2.6%) ahead of the same period in the prior year. Gross profit per unit continued to increase year on year and this improved performance has driven profit growth from the used car segment of the business. The Group's aftersales operations also continued to perform well, with profitability up by 3.7% year-on-year (like-for-like flat).



The Swindon Land Rover business that was acquired on 30 April 2015 has continued to perform in line with expectations and the Group's Welwyn Garden City Land Rover dealership, which was acquired on 8 January 2016, is integrating to plan. The Woodford Jaguar and Land Rover business acquired on 5 July 2016 is being integrated into the Group and the Board is confident that this will prove to be a successful acquisition with a positive contribution expected in the 2016/17 financial year. The Group's newly opened and third Aston Martin dealership located in Solihull is now fully operational and a forward order bank is building.



Heading into the important September trading period, the new car order book for the Group is building well and in line with our expectations. The Board expects the Group to deliver another strong trading performance in this crucial month.



Board Appointment



The Board is pleased to announce that with effect from 5 September 2016, Tim Duckers has joined the Board of Directors in an executive capacity as Managing Director of the motor division. Tim has over 20 years of Motor Retail operating experience, has been with the group since 2008 and has been integral to the group's growth over that period.



Notice of results



Cambria will announce its Preliminary results for the year ended 31 August 2016 on Tuesday 22 November 2016.



Mark Lavery, Chief Executive Officer of Cambria, said:



"The Group has performed well during the course of the financial year, delivering growth in the operating business and adding on earnings accretive acquisitions. The mix of franchises has been enriched in line with our growth strategy and the business is well placed to build on the momentum generated this year. The September order bank is building well and this puts us in a strong position heading into the important plate change month.



I am very pleased that Tim has accepted our offer for him to join the Board of Directors and look forward to him supporting myself and the team as we continue to grow the Group further along the next exciting phase of its development."



Enquiries:




Cambria Automobiles

Mark Lavery, Chief Executive

James Mullins, Finance Director

www.cambriaautomobilesplc.com



Tel: 01707 280 851


N+1 Singer - Nomad & Joint Broker

Alex Price / Jen Boorer



Tel: 020 7496 3000


Zeus Capital - Joint Broker

Adam Pollock



Tel: 020 7533 7727


FTI Consulting

Jonathon Brill / Alex Beagley / James Styles



Tel: 020 3727 1000


About Cambria - www.cambriaautomobilesplc.com



Cambria Automobiles ("Cambria") was established in March 2006 with the aim of creating a balanced independent UK motor retail group through a self-funded "buy and build" strategy, focused on turnaround opportunities.



Working in close cooperation with its manufacturer partners, the Group has built a balanced portfolio of 31 luxury, premium and volume dealerships, representing 46 franchises and 17 brands, with geographical representation spanning from the North West to the South East in Kent. These businesses are autonomous and trade under local brand names, including Dees, Doves, Grange, Invicta, Motorparks and Pure Triumph.



Cambria's brand portfolio currently comprises Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Dacia, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Mazda, Nissan, Renault, Seat, Triumph, Vauxhall and Volvo.



The management's success in turning around under-performing dealerships has allowed Cambria to build a strong balance sheet. As a result, the Group is in a position to acquire valuable premium operations, like the recently acquired Jaguar Land Rover business in North London, Land Rover dealership in Welwyn Garden City, Jaguar Land Rover business in Barnet and Land Rover business in Swindon, which are immediately earnings enhancing and directly in line with the Group's strategy to further enhance the brand portfolio.



The Group's medium term ambition is to create a £1 billion turnover business producing attractive returns on shareholder funds.

ST of IC today - So, ahead of Cambria’s full-year results on Tuesday, 22 November, and with 32 per cent upside to my target price of 95p, I rate the shares a buy at 72p.

AUDITED PRELIMINARY RESULTS 2015/16 AND NOTICE OF AGM

Strong results in Group's 10th year of trading, continued strategic progress


Operational Highlights

· New vehicle sales up 9.9% with a 13.2% increase in profit per unit
· Used vehicle sales up 5.2% with an 8.1% improvement in profit per unit and continued evolution of the Group's focus on "Velocity" to drive return on investment
· Aftersales Revenue increased 8.1% with an increase of 3.7% in service and bodyshop hours sold
· In line with the strategy of the Group and of Jaguar Land Rover:
§ Acquisition of Welwyn Garden City Land Rover for £10.8m, integration progressing well
§ Disposal of Exeter Jaguar and Croydon Jaguar
§ Acquisition of Woodford Jaguar and Land Rover dealership for £2.1m, integration progressing well

· Opening of third Aston Martin business in Birmingham and closure of Exeter Aston Martin in line with the Aston Martin global second century network restructure
· Continuing investment in the Freehold portfolio; to meet the franchising standards of the brand partners and maximise operational potential and increase used car and aftersales capacity
· Barnet Jaguar Land Rover development progressing well, other Brand led corporate identity developments initiated