The Watkin Jones Group is one of the UK's leading developers of student accommodation with a reputation for consistently delivering high quality accommodation, on time, and to budget.
UK wide, our portfolio of developments range from purpose-built cluster flats and studios, to refurbishment projects and mixed-use schemes. Strategic choice of locations, coupled with cutting-edge design and exceptional build quality are the cornerstones of our success.

Today's students demand quality, affordability and exceptional connectivity with easy links to learning and leisure facilities as standard. This is an exacting combination but this is precisely the accommodation we deliver in prime locations nationwide.

Since 1999 we have developed more than 25,000 student units and have an in-depth understanding of this resilient property sector.

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Watkin Jones Group Fundamentals (WJG)

See post 42 - the previous holder's were/are basically the family trust - they still own a considerable percentage and are locked in from further sales for 6 months.

Yes skinny, it appears that Mark Watkin Jones still has an interest in just over 29% of the Co. So the reasons given for the sale seem to be valid and as Kim said a placing is the cheaper option.

What is very encouraging, is that appear to have been no problems placing that number of shares.

I bought a few more earlier - albeit @145p.

Woodford Investment Management Ltd (Woodford) > 10%

Looks like we are getting back on track , some good things being said , although some big sells today .

Pre-Close Trading Statement

Watkin Jones plc (AIM:WJG), a leading UK developer and constructor of multi occupancy property assets, with a focus on the student accommodation sector, announces its pre-close trading statement for the half year ended 31 March 2017.

The Board is pleased to report a successful first six months of the financial year with trading in line with its expectations.

In the year to date, five student accommodation developments in Bournemouth, Ipswich, Belfast, Cardiff and London, representing 2,347 beds in total, were sold with a gross development value of £192 million. All the developments planned to be completed by September 2017 and five of those planned to be completed by September 2018 have been forward sold. Watkin Jones has a further six developments totalling over 1,705 beds under offer and in legal negotiations which, when concluded, would see all the developments planned to be completed by September 2018 forward sold. In total, 16 developments, representing 5,679 beds, for delivery before September 2019 have now been sold.

The Group has 11,098 targeted beds in its secured pipeline, with 9,390 of these having planning consent. Planning applications have been submitted in respect of the remainder.

Fresh Student Living now have 12,117 beds under management across 43 schemes and are contracted to increase this to 16,526 beds under management across 55 schemes from the start of the 2017/18 academic year.

The Group is making good progress with its drive into the Private Rented Sector ('PRS') having completed its first PRS scheme in Leeds of 322 units and has secured a 132 unit development site in Sutton. The Group is also working on a number of planning applications and other site acquisition opportunities.

The Group's progress in delivering the current development pipeline is encouraging and the Board remains confident in the outlook for the full year.

Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Watkin Jones plc, said: "I am pleased with the Group's performance over the past six months, which continues to reinforce the attractiveness of our end-to-end business model to institutional investors. The market for purpose built student accommodation in the UK continues to grow and demand for our product remains strong.

"Our entry into PRS has been successful with the completion of our first scheme in Leeds and going forward we plan to grow our PRS business sustainably. Our development pipeline provides excellent visibility of earnings and cashflow and we are optimistic for the continued growth of Watkin Jones."

The Group will be announcing its Interim Results on Thursday, 1 June 2017. An analyst briefing will be held at 09.30hrs at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DN.

- Ends -

Peel Hunt Buy 154.13 155.00 185.00 Reiterates

Heading back to it's high point.

Making new highs.

Good trade this guys. Well done.

They were also mentioned on Great British Buildings: the other day.

Some familiar names here! :) Hopefully that's not a jinx. In at 152p a couple of weeks back.

BlackRock, Inc < 5%

BlackRock, Inc. has gone above 5%

A new high @170p.

A new high @171.50p.

Peel Hunt Buy 170.25 185.00 185.00 Reiterates

Analyst and investor site visit

Watkin Jones plc (AIM:WJG), a leading UK developer and constructor of multi occupancy property assets, with a focus on the student accommodation sector, is today hosting an analyst and investor site visit at the official opening of the Group's first private rented sector ('PRS') development at The Court, Clarendon Quarter, Leeds.

Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Watkin Jones plc, said: "We are delighted to have completed Clarendon Quarter in Leeds, our first PRS development. The 322 apartment development is one of a number of exciting projects we are working on in this space and we believe that our expertise and institutional relationships will help build further momentum in the PRS market."

There will be no formal presentation distributed during the visit and no new material information will be given.
- Ends -

175.50 upwards and onwards!

Keep up Kim - 176.25!

Sorry, took my eye off for a second! 😀