I know it's not the sexiest of sectors, but do any of the technical chartists here think this represents a testing of a significant resistance?
The MDAs seem to offer support. It looks to me like if it could break that line, then a potential line of resistance at about 336 there will be serious upside to follow.
Can this go places?

Red:25 DMA
Green:50 DMA

Once more into the breach...

Has double now from the lows last July after the profit warning

Back into these the day before annual numbers. Good / lucky timing or what?

Latest Brokers.

06 Oct Peel Hunt Buy 146.63 175.00 175.00 Reiterates

04 Oct Numis Buy 146.63 180.00 190.00 Retains

Forward pe of about 10 then, Skinny. Fairly conservative.

Yes - recent broker notes :-

06 Oct Peel Hunt Buy 145.75 175.00 175.00 Reiterates

04 Oct Numis Buy 145.75 180.00 190.00 Retains

04 Oct Peel Hunt Buy 145.75 150.00 175.00 Reiterates

I missed this earlier!

Trading Statement

Pre-close trading update

St Ives, the international marketing services group, is today providing a pre-close trading update ahead of the announcement of its results for the half year to 27 January 2017, which will be released on 7 March 2017.

Strategic Marketing

Revenue for the Strategic Marketing segment for the half year is expected to be approximately 9% above the equivalent period in the prior year. Excluding the effects of acquisitions and currency movements, like-for-like revenue is expected to be broadly in line with the prior half year.

As previously reported, we experienced a number of project cancellations and deferrals in the last quarter of the previous financial year, which have also impacted revenue growth and operating margin within the first half of the current financial year. We remain encouraged by the progress that has been made to replace the cancelled work. However, this process is taking longer than previously anticipated, and it is unlikely that we will see the full benefit of the new work we have won until the final quarter of the current financial year.

Books

Within our Books business, revenue for the first half is expected to be approximately 13% above the prior half year. Trading during the pre-Christmas period has been generally positive and was particularly helped by the two recently published J.K. Rowling titles.

Marketing Activation

Trading conditions within our Marketing Activation segment continue to be very challenging due in large part to the ongoing pressures within the grocery retail sector, the segment's largest single market. We expect the rate of revenue decline to have reduced in the first half of the financial year to approximately 2% (compared to a 7% decline in the previous full financial year) although the pressure on operating margin has increased.

Diversification of the client base to reduce this segment's dependency on the grocery sector remains a priority and we have secured a number of new client wins in the half year, although at lower margins than historic levels due to the increasingly competitive nature of the market.

Due to the increased pressure on operating margins we have initiated further cost reduction measures within the segment. The benefits of these actions are expected to come through in the final quarter of the current financial year.

Outlook

As a result of the above, the Board now anticipates that the out-turn for the full financial year will be materially below its previous expectations with the majority of the shortfall due to the pressures within the Marketing Activation segment.

The Board remains confident in the long term strategy currently being pursued, and in the growth opportunities open to the Group. The balance sheet remains sound and we have the necessary cash flow capabilities to support our investment priorities and to further reduce debt.

- Ends -

Oh dear oh dear....Fell 30% to 76p today....and who knows how much lower this can go?
It was 240p in May 2016, - DYOR.

TIME FOR THE BOUNCE?

well I did buy some at 75.025p

There is volume as is moving up from the floor

Bought a few for ISA long term @70.50. Interims Wed 7/3

Peel Hunt Buy 71.25 130.00 130.00 Reiterates

ST IVES plc

Half Year Results for the 27 weeks ended 2 February 2018
St Ives plc, the international marketing services group, announces half year results for the 27 weeks ended 2 February 2018.

Financial Highlights


27 weeks to

2 February

2018

26 weeks to

27 January

2017

%age

change

Continuing operations:

Revenue

£146.5m

£136.7m

+7%

Adjusted profit before tax1

£12.7m

£9.5m

+35%

Adjusted basic earnings per share1

7.06p

5.26p

+34%

Statutory loss before tax

£(15.0)m

£(3.1)m



Statutory basic loss per share

(11.57)p

(2.96)p



Interim dividend

0.65p

0.65p



Net debt

£42.2m

£54.6m2



1 Adjusted results exclude Adjusting Items to enhance understanding of the ongoing financial performance of the Group. Adjusting Items comprise of redundancies, restructuring costs; gain or loss on disposal of properties; impairment or amortisation charges related to goodwill, tangible and intangible assets; contingent consideration required to be treated as remuneration; movements in deferred consideration and costs related to the St Ives Defined Benefits Pension Scheme.

2 Net debt as at 28 July 2017.

3 Continuing operations excludes the results of the four Marketing Activation businesses disposed of at the end of February 2018 (Note 8).

4 Like-for-like revenue is calculated by applying prior period exchange rates to local currency results for the current and prior periods.



· A positive six months, with encouraging growth in both Group revenue and adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations.

· Strategic Marketing, which lies at the centre of the Group's long term growth strategy, delivered like-for-like4 revenue growth of 23%, representing 85% of the Group's adjusted operating profit.

· Disposal of four businesses within the Marketing Activation segment significantly reduced Group exposure to commoditised print markets.

· Net debt reduced to £42.2 million from £54.6 million at 28 July 2017.

· Interim dividend maintained at 0.65 pence, to reflect both ongoing investment in organic growth of the Strategic Marketing segment and strengthening the balance sheet.

Matt Armitage, Chief Executive, said:

"This is an encouraging first half performance, with notable progress in our higher growth and higher margin Strategic Marketing segment, offsetting commercial pressures elsewhere in the Group.

"Strategic Marketing continues to go from strength to strength, and making a significant 85 percent contribution to adjusted operating profit during the period. Trading continues to be strong in this segment. We are encouraged by new projects won from both existing and new clients, and excited by the opportunities generated from increased collaboration between our businesses.

"Having indicated our intention to remain focused on diversifying into other sectors, we are pleased to have recently announced the disposal of a significant element of our Marketing Activation segment. This significantly reduces the Group's exposure to the structurally challenged, commoditised print markets and the risk of further, potentially significant re-structuring costs.

"We remain confident in our long-term growth strategy to generate value for shareholders."

Well done Chris.

Cheers skinny.