We're a highly focused soft drinks business. Our brand portfolio includes Vimto , which is sold in over 70 countries, Levi Roots, Weight Watchers, Sunkist and Panda, which are sold in the UK. We have a leading market position in both the still and carbonate drinks categories and also in the soft drinks on dispense market.





http://www.nicholsplc.co.uk/

The naked trader today -

Nichols (LON:NICL) continues to fizz gradually higher ...Just a matter of time before it gets taken out with Britivic or AG Barr possible bidders.

IC this week - The company has been a steady growth story over the last three years, its shares are up 168% in that period. And while the shares are not cheap, trading on 25 times forward earnings - a significant premium to peers, the company is well run and still well placed to grow. In the UK , where trading conditions have been tough, a focus on profit, rather than sales is paying off. The company also has a cash rich balance sheet, which means it has plenty of scope to expand its operations abroad. The Middle East and Africa are core established regions for Vimto, and in Africa a distribution partnership with Coca-Cola bottling company has already boosted sales. New products are in the pipeline for 2014, when Nichols is due to enter two new markets.

Holding(s) in Company

Brewin Dolphin Limited 2 million shares


http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4700231

Trading Statement

10 Jan 14 Nichols PLC [NICL]

Pre-Close Trading Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 3358X

Nichols PLC

10 January 2014









Date:

Embargoed until 0700 Friday 10th January 2014




Contacts:

John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman


Marnie Millard, Group Chief Executive

Tim Croston, Group Finance Director


Nichols plc


Telephone: 01925 222222


Website:www.nicholsplc.co.uk







Alex Brennan / Nick Lyon

Richard Lindley


Hudson Sandler

N+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser)


Telephone: 020 7796 4133

Telephone: 0113 388 4855/ 0207 496 3000


Email: nichols@hspr.com

Website: www.n1singer.com






Nichols plc

Pre-Close Trading Statement



Nichols plc ("the Group") today issues the following pre-close trading update for the year ended 31 December 2013.



I am pleased to report that the Group has continued its strong performance into the second half of 2013.



Group sales in the second half of 2013 grew by 4% compared to the prior year and will total c£109.9m for the full year, 2% ahead of 2012.



Our UK sales gained momentum in the second half of 2013, increasing by 5% year on year taking the full year total to c£86.8m, 2% ahead of the prior year. Also during 2013 we have successfully delivered our strategy to improve profitability with both revenue per case and margin showing good improvement compared to 2012.



We have successfully grown our market share of the Still category resulting in Vimto dilute sales increasing by 11% in the year and have continued with our planned reduction in promotional activity in the heavily discounted Carbonate category, where Vimto carbonate sales are down by 6%.



Within our International business, continued growth in the African markets and a stronger second half year in the Middle East have delivered full year sales of c£23.1m which is 2% ahead of the prior year.



Our balance sheet remains strong and 2013 trading has continued to generate positive cash flow in line with our expectations.



We are well positioned to maintain our performance into 2014 and continue to invest in our brands, including a new creative media campaign for Vimto which will commence in the spring.



In summary, during 2013 we have successfully increased profitability, delivered good sales growth in the second half of the year and we expect the full year profit and earnings per share to be ahead of the prior year and in line with expectations.



The Group's Preliminary results will be announced on 13 March 2014.





John Nichols

Non-Executive Chairman

Nichols sees good sales growth in second half

By Giles Gwinnett

January 10 2014, 8:14am
The group said it increased profitability and sales growth last year and expects full year profit and EPS (earnings per share) to be ahead of the prior year and in line with expectations
The group said it increased profitability and sales growth last year and expects full year profit and EPS (earnings per share) to be ahead of the prior year and in line with expectations


An increase of sales in still Vimto helped soft drinks supplier Nichols (LON:NICL) deliver a strong performance in 2013.

The group said it increased profitability and sales growth last year and expects full year profit and EPS (earnings per share) to be ahead of the prior year and in line with expectations.

In the second half, group sales grew by 4% compared to 2012 and will total around £109.9 million for the full year, 2% ahead of 2012.

UK sales gained momentum in the second half increasing 5% year-on-year.

"We have successfully grown our market share of the still category resulting in Vimto dilute sales increasing by 11% in the year and have continued with our planned reduction in promotional activity in the heavily discounted Carbonate category, where Vimto carbonate sales are down by 6%," it added.

14 Jan Investec 1,055.00 Sell

Preliminary Results



Highlights:

· Group sales up 2% to £109.9m (2012: £107.8m) with continued growth in the UK and internationally

· Operating profit margin increased to 20% (2012: 19%)

· Profit before tax (pre-exceptional items) up 10% to £22.5m (2012: £20.5m)

· Earnings per share (pre-exceptional items) up 11% to 45.8p (2012: 41.4p)

· Continuing strong cash generation with net cash at the year end up 39% to £34.3m (2012: £24.7m)

· Proposed final dividend of 13.3p (2012: 11.7p), taking total dividend for the year up 13% to 19.62p (2012: 17.32p)



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4771893

AGM Statement

RNS


RNS Number : 7805F

Nichols PLC

30 April 2014


John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman of Nichols plc, the soft drinks group, will make the following statement at the Group's Annual General Meeting to be held later today:



Current Trading



"Whilst it is still early in the year, I am pleased to report that the Group's profit performance is in line with management expectations and ahead of the prior year.



After the first four months of 2014, our UK sales performance is ahead of the market and the 2013 comparative period, despite the challenging economic conditions affecting the grocery trade. Our export sales are per management expectations at this early stage of the year.



In 2014 we will continue to invest for growth and during April we have introduced the new Vimto branding across the whole range. This is supported by the launch of our new TV campaign featuring the Vimtoad.



In summary, the Board are satisfied with the first four months performance for 2014 and are confident of delivering full year results in line with expectations."



- ENDS -

Nichols: Investec raises target price from 1055p to 1122p and upgrades from sell to hold.

Nichols surprised by £9m Vimto damages payout

Wed, 02 July 2014

Price: 924.00

Chg: -31.50

Chg %: -3.30%


Nichols shares were hit after the High Court ruled that the soft drinks company must pay the equivalent of £8.0m in damages, in addition to costs in the range of £1m-1.5m, following a litigation claim from Gul Bottlers.

The amount is significantly above the £2m that the company had set aside for the claim.

The size of the award is based on the court's assessment of Gul's loss of profit for the duration of a contract signed in September 2011 to produce and distribute Vimto in the Pakistani market.

Nichols issued a statement which said it "fundamentally disagrees" with the quantum of the award and this it was "considering with its professional advisers options for appeal".

"Whilst this is an extremely disappointing outcome, there is no impact on future underlying trading expectations and the payment of this award in no way affects the group's ability to continue with its strategy to invest in its brands and future growth plans," the firm said. "The group continues to be highly cash generative with a strong balance sheet."

It confirmed that trading for the first six months of the year had continued to be good and the group said it was confident of delivering full year results in line with management expectations.

The share price had fallen 7.48% to 884p by 14:56.

Interim Results

Highlights:

· Pre-exceptional Profit before Tax up 11% to £10.0m

· Pre-exceptional Basic Earnings Per Share up 13% to 21.23p

· Interim dividend up 12% to 7.1p



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4854956

Signal Update

Our system’s recommendation today is to BUY. The BULLISH HOMING PIGEON pattern finally received a confirmation because the prices crossed above the confirmation level which was at 923.0000, and our valid average buying price stands now at 944.0000. The previous SHORT signal was issued on 27/10/2014, 14 days ago, when the stock price was 934.2500. Since then NICL.L has risen by +1.04%.

Market Outlook

The bulls have strong evidence on their side and this evidence prompts us to make a bullish bet. The bullish pattern that was previously identified is finally confirmed and a BUY signal is generated. It is probably the right time to be part of this boost and bullish market sentiment. The market is telling you about a possible new profit. Do not miss this chance.



http://www.britishbulls.com/SignalPage.aspx?lang=en&Ticker=NICL.L

Trading Update

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4954856

Vimto maker is a refreshing investment

The soft drinks maker has an excellent dividend record, debt free balance sheet and over a century of drinks making history, says Questor




Nichols expects group sales for the year to December 31 to be up 3.4pc at £113.6m, Photo: REUTERS








By John Ficenec, Questor Editor

6:00AM GMT 09 Jan 2015


Nichols
932p+30½p
Questor says BUY


Nichols [LON:NICL], the maker of Vimto soft drinks, has a strong balance sheet, an excellent dividend record and more than 100 years of beverage-making history.


The company delivered an impressive sales update yesterday, sending its shares more than 3pc higher as it continued to outperform competitors in a tough UK sector.




Nichols expects group sales for the year to December 31 to be up 3.4pc at £113.6m, well ahead of the wider UK soft drinks market, where sales increased by 0.4pc during the same period.


Nichols said a rebranding of its packaging and a new advertising campaign helped to increase Vimto sales in the UK by 4.5pc last year. About 79pc of sales are generated in the UK, with significant results in the Middle East and Africa.


The group had a particularly strong second half in the Middle East, where Vimto has apparently become popular during Ramadan. Full-year sales rose 12.3pc in the region.

This is a far cry from Vimto’s English roots. The soft drink was invented in the North West 106 years ago. It was first sold in Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain and the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 1928, and has been manufactured in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, since the 1970s.

The drink has become a tradition during Ramadan as Muslims enjoy the taste and energy boost after a day of fasting. Nearly half of Vimto’s annual sales occur during Ramadan, which ran from the end of June to the end of July last year.

The company generates plenty of cash and the forecast dividend of 21p is covered 1.7 times by earnings and more than twice by free cash flow. The shares have a prospective dividend yield of 2.2pc, and the payout is expected to increase 7pc this year and next. The company has a solid dividend record stretching back more than 15 years.

The company’s finances are looking secure, as it is debt free with about £33m in cash expected at the year end. The net assets on the balance sheet should be around £60m at the end of the year, or 161p per share.

The shares have been weak during the past 15 months, down from £12.37, as the wider Aim market has been sold off and fears over a price war in the supermarkets have hit the soft drinks sector.

Nichols is expected to make pre-tax profits of £25m, giving earnings per share of 53.5p, meaning shares are trading on 17 times earnings.

This is a quality company and the shares are looking oversold at the moment. Buy.

Shares Star pick - Ahead of full year results 5 Mar Investec forecasts 11% pre-tax profits growth to £25 million for earnings up 17.1% to 53.5p. For 2015 the broker sees profits reaching £25.9 million for earnings of 55.5p

Preliminary results

Upgrade 9 Mar Investec 1,240.00 Buy

IC - On 19 times forecast earnings , Nichols shares trade at a discount to both their historic average multiple and the sector average. This steady performer is worth it.