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BOK Booker just rising off the baseline of an uptrend channel with 40p minimum here on the cards and fairly quickish. Secondary indicators are also showing the stock ripe for a buy at the moment.



Fundies also support the Buy case all and every broker with a Buy reco on the stock and the company trades on a forard P/E of just over 12 to 2010 and beyond.

You cant get a much better SET UP than that on a stock both fundies and TA in cink with each other............ Nice.

Booker Group PLC

FORECASTS
2010 2011

Date Rec Pre-tax () EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax () EPS (p) DPS (p)

Investec Securities
25-06-09 BUY 48.63 2.70 0.90 51.22 2.81 0.94

Singer Capital Markets Ltd
22-06-09 BUY 49.10 2.70 1.00 52.80 2.90 1.10

Evolution Securities Ltd
03-06-09 BUY 51.40 2.90 0.90 54.60 3.00 1.00

Shore Capital
22-05-09 BUY 46.00 2.60 0.90 51.00 2.80 0.90

2010 2011
Pre-tax () EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax () EPS (p) DPS (p)

Consensus 48.86 2.70 0.90 51.72 2.84 1.00

1 Month Change 2.36 0.10 0.90 1.80 0.09 1.00
3 Month Change 4.06 0.22 0.02 2.76 0.14 0.04


GROWTH
2009 (A) 2010 (E) 2011 (E)

Norm. EPS 38.08% 3.19% 5.18%
DPS % 21.95% 11.11%

INVESTMENT RATIOS
2009 (A) 2010 (E) 2011 (E)

EBITDA 72.30m 74.86m 79.50m

EBIT 57.60m 61.29m 64.52m

Dividend Yield 2.11% 2.57% 2.86%

Dividend Cover 3.54x 3.00x 2.84x

PER 13.38x 12.96x 12.32x

PEG 0.35f 4.06f 2.38f

Net Asset Value PS -10.80p p p

AGM & Q1 Trading Update

StockMarketWire.com
Booker Group's total sales for the 10 weeks to the 28 August were down 2.0% due to ban on small stores displaying tobacco products.

Non-tobacco like-for-like sales were up 0.5% in the period.

The group has brought forward its September trading update following yesterday's decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to clear Booker's acquisition of Londis and Budgens in Great Britain.

The update says: "Booker Wholesale with Makro, our cash and carry division, had a good period. Customer satisfaction improved and profit performance was in line with expectations. Our delivered wholesale businesses Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Classic and Ritter also had a good period. Sales in India are continuing to make progress.

"Our balance sheet remains strong with a net cash position as at 28 August 2015 of approximately £110m." Booker Group remains on course to meet expectations for the year ending 25 March .

Chief executive Charles Wilson said: "Booker Group continues to make good progress. Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group is on track. We continue to improve choice, price and service to become the best supplier to caterers, retailers and small businesses in the UK. We are pleased that the acquisition of Londis and Budgens has been cleared by the CMA. This will help strengthen our support for independent retailers throughout Great Britain."

Beaufort Securities Buy 178.40 - - Retains

JP Morgan Cazenove Overweight 178.40 174.00 200.00 Reiterates

StockMarketWire.com
Food wholesaler Booker Group posts pre-tax profits of £74.1m for the 24 weeks to 11 September - up 10% on last time.

Total sales fell by 1.0% to £2.2bn but like-for-like non tobacco sales were up 0.6% while tobacco sales were down 3.7%, Operating profit rose by 10% to £75.0m.4

Basic earnings per share rose by 9% to 3.45 pence and the interim dividend of 0.57 pence per share is up 10%.

Chief executive Charles Wilson, said: "This was a solid performance and our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden the business remains on track. Despite the challenges in the UK grocery market we continue to improve choice, prices and service for our retail and catering customers. We are delighted that Londis and Budgens have joined Booker and we look forward to growing with our customers

Citigroup Neutral 168.60 214.00 170.00 Downgrades

Quarter Three Trading Update


Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, is pleased to announce its trading performance for the 16 weeks to 1 January 2016.




16 weeks to 1 January 2016

Group sales, including Budgens and Londis, rose by 10.5% on the same period last year. Booker Wholesale with Makro, our cash and carry division, had a good quarter for customer numbers, customer satisfaction and cash profit. Non tobacco sales reduced by 1.3% on a like-for-like basis. They were impacted by deflation in food prices and many customers reporting weak consumer demand during the period. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by the ban on small stores displaying tobacco products, down 6.9% like-for-like. Booker Direct, Chef Direct and Ritter performed as we expected. We made good progress on the integration of Londis and Budgens, which joined the Group on 14 September 2015. Sales in India continued to make progress from our six branches.

The outlook for profits and net cash remains in line with the guidance given at the Interim Results.

StockMarketWire.com
Food wholesaler Booker Group's sales, including Budgens and Londis, rose by 10.6% in the 12 weeks to 25 March on the corresponding period last year.

Booker Wholesale with Makro, its cash and carry business, had a good quarter for customer numbers, customer satisfaction and cash profit. Non tobacco sales reduced by 0.7% on a like-for-like basis.

These sales were impacted by deflation in food prices and many customers reporting weak consumer demand during the period. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by the ban on small stores displaying tobacco products, down 6.1% like-for-like.

Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Ritter and Booker India performed as the group expected. Premier continues to grow and we made good progress on the integration of Londis and Budgens. For the 52 weeks to 25 March 2016, total sales (including Budgens & Londis) were GBP5.0bn, up by 5.0% compared to last year. Booker like-for-like total sales were down by 1.9%.

Like-for-like non-tobacco sales declined by 0.3%, and like-for-like tobacco sales fell by 5.2%. Like-for-like total sales to caterers rose by 0.6% including Classic and by 1.9% excluding Classic.

Classic, its on trade wholesale business, exited some unprofitable business. During the year the group said it continued to see price deflation in the catering market. Like-for-like total sales to retailers reduced by 2.2% primarily due to the tobacco display ban. Customer satisfaction scores were strong and internet sales increased by 12% to £979m (excluding Budgens & Londis). The Group had approximately £126m net cash at the end of the year. Profits for the 52 weeks to 25 March 2016 remain in line with expectations. Booker chief executive Charles Wilson said: "Overall, 2015/16 was a good year. Customer satisfaction scores were strong, sales and profits were the best we have ever achieved. We made good progress on the integration of Londis and Budgens. We continue to improve choice, prices and service to our customers. Booker Group remains on track to Focus, Drive and Broaden the business."

Interim Thursday.

Goldman Sachs Buy 175.85 171.00 198.00 Upgrades

HSBC Buy 175.85 230.00 230.00 Reiterates

Final Results

Final Results of Booker Group plc
for the 52 weeks ended 25 March 2016

This announcement contains the final results of Booker Group plc ('Booker' or the 'Company') for the 52 weeks ended 25 March 2016. Booker is the UK's leading food wholesaler.

Financial Highlights
· Total sales £5.0bn, +5.0%. Non tobacco sales +6.3% and tobacco sales +2.2%

· Booker like-for-like total sales -1.9%. Non tobacco sales -0.3% and tobacco sales -5.2%

· Like-for-like sales to caterers +0.6% including Classic (+1.9% excluding Classic); and to retailers -2.2%

· Operating profit (before exceptionals) £155.1m, +11%

· Profit after tax (post exceptionals) £127.8m, +9%

· Basic earnings per share up 0.51 pence to 7.24 pence

· Net cash £127.4m (2015: £147.0m)

· Final dividend of 4.03 pence per share, taking the total dividend to 4.60 pence per share (2015: 3.66 pence per share)

· Proposed return of capital of 3.20 pence per share (2015: 3.50 pence per share)

· Total return to shareholders of 7.80 pence per share (2015: 7.16 pence per share), +9%

Operational Highlights
· Our plan to Focus, Drive and Broaden Booker Group continues to make progress

· Customer satisfaction was strong as we continue to improve choice, price and service for our customers

· We made good progress on the catering and retail sides of the business

· Booker Direct, Ritter Courivaud and Chef Direct had a good year

· Premier and Family Shopper continued to grow

· Budgens and Londis have joined the Group and are working well

· India is on track

· Internet sales up 12% to £979m (excluding Budgens & Londis)


Return of Capital
In July 2012 Booker Group plc issued £124m of shareholder equity to acquire Makro in the UK. Following the successful integration of Makro into the Group and a period of strong cash generation, the Board implemented a capital return to shareholders of 3.50 pence per ordinary share in each of July 2014 and July 2015 at a cost of approximately £61m pa. Given the continued successful development of the Group, the Board is proposing a third capital return to shareholders of 3.20 pence per ordinary share (at a cost of approximately £57m, based on the current issued share capital of the Group). It is again proposed that this is achieved by the issue of a new class of "B" shares which shareholders will be able to redeem for cash. The return of capital requires the approval of shareholders, which will be sought at the Annual General Meeting on 6 July 2016. Further details of the proposed return of capital will be set out in a circular to shareholders which will accompany the notice convening this year's Annual General Meeting.

We currently anticipate returning a similar amount to shareholders in July 2017 and will provide an update on this at the 2017 Final Results announcement in May 2017 in light of circumstances prevailing at that time.

Outlook
The Group's trading in the first seven weeks of the current financial year is ahead of last year. However, we anticipate that the challenging consumer and market environment will persist through the coming year and the UK's food market remains very competitive.

Whilst there is increasing price competition in the UK grocery and discount sectors, we will continue to deliver our plans to offer our customers even better choice, prices and service supported by the continued delivery of our efficiency programmes. We are on track to deliver an outcome for the new financial year in line with our plans and to make progress in this challenging environment.

StockMarketWire.com
Food retailer Tesco is to merge with food wholesaler Booker Group in a recommended shares and cash deal that values the latter company at about £3.7bn.

Booker scheme shareholders would receive 0.861 new Tesco shares for each share they owned, plus 42.6p cash.

This represented a value of about 205.3p for each Booker share, and a value of about £3.7bn for that company's share capital. Booker's shares closed at 183.1p on Jan. 26.

The merger would result in Booker shareholders owning about 16% of the combined group.

Both companies said the combined group would bring benefits for consumers, independent retailers, caterers, small businesses, suppliers, and colleagues, as well as delivering significant value to shareholders.

The combined group would be well placed to serve the large, established 'in home' food market as well as the faster growing 'out of home' food market.

By bringing together Tesco and Booker's retail and wholesale expertise, supply chain and digital capabilities, the combined group would be able to provide greater choice, quality, price and service in the food market, whilst improving efficiency and reducing food waste.

The combined group would bring together the capacity and capability to generate new growth and deliver significant revenue and cost synergies.

"Tesco has made significant progress in turning around our UK retail business," said Tesco's CEO, Dave Lewis, in a statement.

"This Merger with Booker will further enhance Tesco's growth prospects by creating the UK's leading food business with combined expertise in retail, wholesale, supply chain and digital," he added.

"Wherever food is prepared and eaten - 'in home' or 'out of home' - we will meet this opportunity with the widest choice and best service available."

sold my holding. The premium now is worth more than the future divis and return of capital. TSCO could, I fear carry a touch of doom to BOK.

Q4 Trading Update

Booker Group, the UK's leading food wholesaler, had a good quarter. Group non tobacco sales rose by 4.5% with non tobacco like-for-likes up 4.7%. Group tobacco sales declined by 7.9% with tobacco like-for-likes down 7.5%. Tobacco sales are being impacted by the tobacco display ban and new plain packaging restrictions coming into force. Total sales were up 0.5% and like-for-likes were up 0.7%.

more.....

StockMarketWire.com
Booker Group's first quarter sales rose by 4.0% on a year ago with like for likes up 4.2%, shareholders at the annual general meeting today will be told.

Chief executive Charles Wilson will say: "Non tobacco sales grew by 9.6% on a like-for-like basis.

"Favourable weather and the late Easter assisted this growth. Tobacco sales continued to be adversely impacted by changes in tobacco legislation, down 7.9% like-for-like.

"The Group had a solid quarter for customer satisfaction and cash profit. Booker Direct, Chef Direct, Ritter and Booker India performed as we expected. Premier continues to grow and we continue to make good progress with Budgens and Londis.

"Our balance sheet remains strong with a net cash position.

"As previously announced, we are today seeking shareholder approval to pay a special dividend of 3.02 pence per ordinary share at a cost of approximately £54m.

"This is in addition to the final dividend of 4.97 pence per ordinary share which is also being proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

"On 27 January we announced the planned merger with Tesco and we are currently going through the review process with the Competition Authority.

"As a result of the proposed merger, we are in an offer period as defined in the Takeover Code and will not be making forward looking statements for the duration of the offer period."

Wilson added: "This was a good quarter. Our plans to Focus, Drive and Broaden the Group are on track.

"On 27 January we announced the planned merger with Tesco and we are going through the competition process.

"Meanwhile business as usual is going well as we continue to improve choice, prices and service for our retail, catering and small business customers."

somebody paid a premium for a shed load of these earlier today, hope they didn't miss the 1 off!
these were trading at 2.192 at the time.
The trade appears to be at 2.92, and they had an awful lot!