Grief, £1 a year ago (Dec 2010, and that was a discount!) _DYOR - and now a shadow of that.

- perhaps they should introduce the Exploding chocco - these contain a small amount of TNT and although it's only a small amount, it can practically blow your head off, so you are left speechless, at least until the sinues manage to flip your skull back and normality is restored.

Not sure that a Yield of 6% will last much longer . . . . is there oodles of debt?

News of inferior profits sent stock down 38% - give me some of those new sweetmeats.
EDIT (23Jan2012)...jump up 38% today....MM's playing Buys/Sells about evens.

Trading Statement

Key points

· Total sales for the period which includes Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter increased by 4.0% to £60.6 million compared to the same period last year.

· Thorntons branded UK Commercial sales grew by 10.0% to £27.4 million with good growth across all three seasons. Thorntons' share of the Total Boxed Chocolate market increased from 11.7% to 12.2% in the last 52 weeks and its share of the Inlaid Boxed Chocolate market increased from 32.9% to 35.6%*. Sales of Easter specialities grew by 23.5% and Easter market share grew to 4.7% from 4.0% last year**.

· Own Stores like for like sales grew by 0.2% with growth during each of the three key seasons. Total sales were down 4.1% to £26.0 million as a further 9 stores were closed in the quarter, in line with the strategy, resulting in 24 fewer stores than a year ago.

· Franchise sales declined by £0.6 million to £2.2 million as expected, mainly reflecting the placing into administration of our major franchisee in May 2012.

· Thorntons Direct sales decreased by 4.6% to £2.2 million with the Consumer Direct business delivering growth at Easter as improvements from the new website began to feed through.

· Private label sales increased to £1.7 million.

· International sales grew by 30.8% to £1.1 million.

* Nielsen: Total Boxed Chocolates & Inlaid Boxed Chocolates 52 weeks to week ending 30th March 2013
** Nielsen: Easter Specialities 14 weeks to week ending 6th April 2013

Investec Buy 79.50 75.75 80.00 100.00 Reiterates

100p soon.

No stopping it now for 100p.

CLOSE OF FINAL QUARTER


At the time of its trading update on 24 April, Thorntons stated that as a result of growing market share and improvement in margins due to actions taken over the past two years there was potential for further profit improvement in the final quarter. The Board is pleased to report that a combination of sales growth and careful cost management has enabled the additional profit potential to be realised and accordingly pre-exceptional profit before tax for the full year to 29 June 2013 will be ahead of current market expectations*.

Thorntons will provide a final-quarter trading update on 15 July and its full year results will be announced on 11 September 2013.

* Current market consensus is £4.6m

ENDS

Trading Statement

Thorntons today reports its fourth quarter trading update for the ten weeks up to and including 29 June 2013, which demonstrates further progress in transforming the business. As this quarter is a ten week period (last year nine weeks), the figures for 2012 have been adjusted to allow comparison.

· Total sales - Increase of 5.6% to £26.8 million.

· Commercial (FMCG) Division- Continued strong growth in the Commercial division which will become Thorntons' largest division by the end of the current financial year in line with the strategy to rebalance the business. The prospects for the International channel continue to be encouraging, although currently still a small proportion of overall sales.
- UK Commercial sales grew by 11.8% to £9.2 million.
- International sales more than doubled to £0.9 million.
- Private label sales increased to £0.7 million.

· Retail Division - Showed good progress towards the objective of creating a sustainable retail estate of 180-200 stores. The period saw positive like-for-like sales in Own Stores, a trend also reflected in the Franchise channel.
- Own Store like-for-like sales increased by 0.5%. Overall sales in Own Stores declined 3.8% to £13.9 million as a result of the 34 store closures during the year, in line with the Company's strategy.
- Franchise sales improved by £0.2 million to £1.3 million.
- Thorntons Direct sales decreased by £0.1 million to £0.8 million.

· As announced on 2 July 2013 we anticipate profit before tax, impairment and onerous lease charges for the full year to be ahead of current market expectations.*

* Current market consensus is £4.6m

Some signs of ready for the turn TARGET 100p

Late this afternoon has broken from the 84p top during the last 2 weeks

Covered the gap at 75p from late april and report I think next week. Could be a good trading buy.

Final Results

Financial
· Revenues up 1.8% to £221.1 million (2012: £217.1 million)
· Profit before tax and exceptional items increased to £5.6 million (2012: £0.9 million)
· Pre-exceptional operating profit (EBIT) margin increased to 3.3% (2012: 1.3%)
· Basic EPS 5.6p (2012: loss of 1.4p)
· Cash generated from operations £8.3 million (2012: £1.5 million)
· Net debt £27.5 million (2012: £29.1 million)
· IAS 19 Pension deficit reduced to £24.9 million (2012: £29.1million)
· Dividend waived (2012: Nil)

Operational
· Continued to successfully rebalance revenues towards the Fast Moving Consumer Goods ("FMCG") division (formerly Sales & Operations). Good progress with reducing Own Stores estate to a sustainable size for the longer-term.
· Begun to revitalise the Thorntons brand with a new brand identity, clear product categorisation and a refreshed range including innovative new products for year-round chocolate gifting.
· Significant progress towards restoring profitability to industry competitive returns over the medium to long-term. Continued focus on improving margins and controlling costs.
· FMCG division continued its strong growth with a 19% increase in sales and will become Thorntons' largest division by the end of the current financial year. The prospects for the International channel continue to be encouraging, although it is currently still a small proportion of overall sales.
- UK Commercial sales grew by 11.2% to £88.7 million.
- International sales increased from £3.9 million to £6.1 million.
- Private label sales increased from £1.3 million to £6.3 million.
- Manufacturing Operations delivered record levels of production.
· Retail division continued good progress towards the objective of creating a sustainable Own Store retail estate of 180 to 200 stores.
- Own Store like-for-like sales down 0.8% (2012: down 3.8%) but saw a small growth in the second half of the year. Overall sales in Own Stores declined by 8.0% to £102.5 million as a result of the 35 store closures during the year.
- Franchise sales declined to £8.5 million, primarily as a result of the administration of a major franchisee partner in May 2012.
- Thorntons Direct sales decreased by 10.0% to £9.0 million.

Solid set of results, bang on forecasts with margin growth exceeding forecasts.
Looking forward to the future..............

Thorntons today announces its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013.



Financial

· Revenues up 1.8% to £221.1 million (2012: £217.1 million)

· Profit before tax and exceptional items increased to £5.6 million (2012: £0.9 million)

· Pre-exceptional operating profit (EBIT) margin increased to 3.3% (2012: 1.3%)

· Basic EPS 5.6p (2012: loss of 1.4p)

· Cash generated from operations £8.3 million (2012: £1.5 million)

· Net debt £27.5 million (2012: £29.1 million)

· IAS 19 Pension deficit reduced to £24.9 million (2012: £29.1million)

· Dividend waived (2012: Nil)



Operational

· Continued to successfully rebalance revenues towards the Fast Moving Consumer Goods ("FMCG") division (formerly Sales & Operations). Good progress with reducing Own Stores estate to a sustainable size for the longer-term.

· Begun to revitalise the Thorntons brand with a new brand identity, clear product categorisation and a refreshed range including innovative new products for year-round chocolate gifting.

· Significant progress towards restoring profitability to industry competitive returns over the medium to long-term. Continued focus on improving margins and controlling costs.

· FMCG division continued its strong growth with a 19% increase in sales and will become Thorntons' largest division by the end of the current financial year. The prospects for the International channel continue to be encouraging, although it is currently still a small proportion of overall sales.

- UK Commercial sales grew by 11.2% to £88.7 million.

- International sales increased from £3.9 million to £6.1 million.

- Private label sales increased from £1.3 million to £6.3 million.

- Manufacturing Operations delivered record levels of production.

· Retail division continued good progress towards the objective of creating a sustainable Own Store retail estate of 180 to 200 stores.

- Own Store like-for-like sales down 0.8% (2012: down 3.8%) but saw a small growth in the second half of the year. Overall sales in Own Stores declined by 8.0% to £102.5 million as a result of the 35 store closures during the year.

- Franchise sales declined to £8.5 million, primarily as a result of the administration of a major franchisee partner in May 2012.

- Thorntons Direct sales decreased by 10.0% to £9.0 million.

Reckon a few were dissapointed no dividend was paid.

Going to hold.

Trading Statement

FMCG Division
Divisional sales increased by 11.0% to £23.8 million reflecting continuing strong demand from our commercial partners:
· UK Commercial sales rose by 11.2%.
· International sales increased by 36.1%, although this remains a small part of overall sales.

Retail Division
Divisional sales declined by 5.7% to £23.2 million as we closed eight stores in the period resulting in 288 Own Stores at the end of the quarter.
· Like for like sales decreased by 0.4%.
· Consumer Direct sales returned to growth, increasing by 14.2%, although this also remains a small part of overall sales.
· Franchise sales improved by 17.3%.

In for a penny in for a pound. 2nd buy ive gone for.............

Crystal Amber buying more Thorntons (THT). Now 107.25p to buy.

Lovely breakout at THORNTONS THT .........

Well done everyone 115p soon.

THT Thorntons.

Missed this from last week......

Thorntons Plc Coverage Initiated at N+1 Singer (THT)
Posted by Tammy Falkenburg on Oct 17th, 2013

N+1 Singer started coverage on shares of Thorntons Plc (LON:THT) in a research note issued on Thursday, Analyst RN reports. The firm set a “buy” rating and a GBX 140 ($2.23) price target on the stock. N+1 Singer’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 35.12% from the company’s current price.

Thorntons Plc (LON:THT) opened at 106.00 on Thursday. Thorntons Plc has a 52-week low of GBX 28.10 and a 52-week high of GBX 110.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 84.58 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 82.27. The company’s market cap is £71.9 million.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Analysts at Panmure Gordon reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Thorntons Plc in a research note to investors on Wednesday, October 9th. They now have a GBX 116 ($1.85) price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Investec raised their price target on shares of Thorntons Plc from GBX 112 ($1.79) to GBX 124 ($1.98) in a research note to investors on Wednesday, October 9th. They now have a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, analysts at Investec reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Thorntons Plc in a research note to investors on Wednesday, September 11th. They now have a GBX 112 ($1.79) price target on the stock.

Thorntons PLC is a United Kingdom-based engaged in the manufacturing, retailing and distribution of confectionery and other sweet foods

07 Jan 2014 Thorntons PLC THT Investec Buy 133.63 134.00 124.00 161.00 Reiterates

161p SP TARGET.

Q2 Trading Update

FMCG Division
Sales increased by 17.1% to £47.0 million demonstrating the continued strength of the Thorntons brand with our commercial partners.
· UK Commercial sales rose by 21.1% as a result of a good Christmas performance driven by excellent sales of our seasonal specialities, a broadening of sales across our Commercial customer base, and early spring deliveries.
· International sales decreased by 15.5% in the quarter although growth for the half year remained positive at 9.2%. At less than 2% of total Company sales, international sales remain a small part of the business.

Retail Division
Sales declined by 2.9% to £46.1 million reflecting 36 store closures compared to the same period last year, in line with our strategy. We closed seven stores in the period which resulted in 281 Own Stores at the end of the quarter.
· Like-for-like sales increased by 3.5%.
· Consumer Direct sales delivered good growth, increasing by 27.0%.
· Franchise sales declined by 3.1% in the quarter due to timing of orders, although grew by 5.0% over the half year.