Web Site : http://www.universe-group.co.uk/

HTEC Web Site : http://www.htec.co.uk/

ABOUT UNIVERSE GROUP PLC

The retail and information systems company whose main trade name is HTEC.
HTEC is an international supplier of electronic payment, transaction and loyalty systems to the retail and communication sectors.
HTEC is an international group, providing integrated technology based services to the retail, telecommunications and business sectors.

LOYALTY SOLUTIONS - EUROPE
HTEC has vast experience in all areas of customer loyalty from hardware, software and installation to polling, database management and reporting.
Utilising the latest techniques in datamining. HTEC extract the true value of customer loyalty programmes - providing information, not just data, to enable companies to improve their business by establishing longer, more profitable relationships with their customers.
HTEC caters for both magnetic stripe and smart card platforms, and multi-retailer schemes.
Solutions for magnetic cards can also include options to convert systems to smart card.
From complete stand-alone terminals to fully integrated systems that interact with existing EPOS and management systems, HTEC focuses on the smooth implementation of loyalty programmes, with minimum disruption to business.

ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALE (EPOS) SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFTPOS) - UK RETAIL
HTEC design and manufacture high quality, integrated EPOS and EFTPOS systems for the forecourt, hospitality and high street retail sectors. HTEC systems are designed to maximise speed at the checkout, minimise management effort and bring total compatibility with existing systems.
One such system is the EFT Gemini payment terminal - a single unit designed to accept virtually any non-cash payment and which is compatible with both magnetic stripe and smart cards. The Gemini EFT terminal can provide APACS 30 on-line authorisation from aquiring banks. It also provides a ready made, flexible loyalty infrastructure.

SPECIALIST TECHNOLOGY SERVICES - EUROPE
HTECS's specialist technology services offer design, manufacture and assembly of innovative products and new technology experts in PCB design, HTEC are at the leading edge of bespoke manufacturing cabability - delivering high quality products to meet a variety of telecommunications and international standards including BABT, CSA and FCC

Sorry about the above pasting ,the listings seem a little out of line.

I`m a bloody amateur when it comes to technology!

PapalPower,as a previous investor in cardclear i am aware how universe came to be.Can you give to me your own view of the prospects UNG,short /medium term.What are they all about? Is there money to be made?.Are they in competition with RTD.You appear to be the major contributor on this BB.so your opinions and any advice may help me decide wether to get onboard.

Thanks BD.

Taken from Growth Equities & Company Research


Universe Group**

Key Data
EPIC UNG
Price 17.25p
Spread 16.5 - 17.75P
NMS 2000
Market cap. 10.17 Million pounds
12 month range 13 - 27.25P
Market AIM
Sector Technology
Contact Ray Mackie
020 7287 0888

It has been a tough couple of years for AM listed Universe. The 9/11 attacks severely hit the number of US tourists prepared to travel to Europe and that caused a sharp downturn in trade at the company's Bureau de Change business, Universe responded by closing all marginal outlets. The chain has been reduced in size by two thirds but has been restored to profitability. An added blow was that Universe's start-up money transfer business First Remit failed to make the headway expected and indeed became an unacceptable cash drain and was sold for an undisclosed sum last year.

The saving grace throughout this period has been HTEC, a division which installs and maintains credit card loyalty and payment systems, principally for petrol retailers and hotels. Chip n'pin has been a bonus for HTEC but it also operates in a long term growth market. Desperate to both squeeze costs (for instance by replacing staff with automatic payment systems, and to enhance brand loyalty), big names such as Shell (SHEL), BP (BP.), Texaco, Total, Asda, Argos and Esso are all lining up to install HTEC's systems.


If Universe were to dispose of its remain bureau de change units which, since they are now profitable, it could well do, we believe that its remaining HTEC business would then be valued on a similar multiple to other technology stocks. Given that this one division could well have generated earnings of 2.5p in 2005 and could be on track to deliver 3p or more this year, valuing it on a mid-teens price earnings multiple would see the shares re-rated, from the current 17.75p, very significantly. Until this necessary measure is taken, shareholders have - as a not insignificant consolation - a yield of 4.2% as a reward for holding the stock.




Year to 31st December Pre-Tax Profit (million) Earnings Per Share (p) Dividend Per Share (p)
2004A 0.8 1.3 0.75
2005E 1.4 1.8 0.75
2006E 2.0 2.3 0.75
2007E 2.2 2.5 0.75

Thanks DB66, I am hoping for the same kind of re-rating on UNG as having past few days on HML :)

Interesting we have EVO on the bid now, and an MM move up this morning to make it 2 v 2.

Some signs of strength returning ?

This will be my UPS choice for next week, with results due around the 29th March :)

Boxerdog, I think most items are covered in the Charles Stanley broker note in the header and recent post, and also the post by DB66.

They are not in competition with RTD, and I would not be surprised for someone like RTD to buy them out.

I see lots of upside, as the GECR note says that DB66 posted, potential for a re-rating :)

It was nice to see the 50,000 buy go through maybe the tide has turned.

Hopefully DB66 :)

Afternoon gents.
Very slow to get started this one but a little buying so far today and a 13k sell way above the bid. Lets hope we can build momentum this week with a good set of results next week, heres hoping anyway.

Behind the scenes L2 moved up to 2 v 1 today from 2 v 2 so its firming up.

I`m glad you said that Papal as todays trades have been poor again.

I must be dreaming i thought i saw someone buy 20,000

And another decent sized buy gone through.Its mostly seems to be small private investors selling up and why someone has sold 218 worth @ 16.60p is beyond me!

Moving now, been some good buys and the price responding, L2 is 1 v 1 (and EVO still well out of the way at 19.5p)

Good !

4 MM's moved up, L2 now 2 v 1 after the recent second tick up today, so more to come I think :)

Good! Good!

Good to see MM buy going through ,thats normally a good sign.

The bullish sign is we are through the 50 day MA now, target now to break through the 200 day MA and cause a golden cross ;) I hope so, there are reasons for it to do so, can it ? ;)

Second MM buy and off we go up again. Great news :)