sp been rising 2010 and up 14% today on better than-expected results . . . the MMs must be expecting fools to rush in...yet Sells are massivly above Buys - will it end in tears, or are Dirs buying at these highs? All rather surprising as I'd expect Kitchen-sales are all done(when money was cheap up to 2008), and if you are trying to save money - you don't splash out on something you don't need.

I mean - howden does a kitchen "wear out"? - ho - ho!

Seems to be some confusion here, Howden released Interim results last week 5th Nov. Next update according to last paragraph below is in Febuary. Yet MAM diary states a Trading Statement this Thursday?
News

05/11/14
Interim Management Statement

Howden Joinery Group Plc ('the Group') is today publishing its Interim Management Statement covering the period from the end of the first half of the year (14th June 2014) to date.

The Board is pleased to report that the Group has seen a good sales performance throughout the second half of the year, including during the important October trading period (period 11).

As a result of this, we now expect profit before tax for the year to be above the range of market expectations Note 1. However, it should be noted that the two remaining trading periods together typically account for over 10% of annual revenues.

Trading

Howden Joinery UK depots' total revenue in the second half of the year to 1 November (periods 7 to 11) increased by 16.2%. This was achieved in the face of toughening comparators that have been seen since the start of the second half of the year. As a result, in the first 11 periods (44 weeks) of 2014, ending 1st November, total revenue was up 14.1%, rising 10.6% on a same depot basis.

Gross margin performance has been in line with expectations.

Business developments

Since we released our 2014 Half Yearly Report in July, we have continued to make good progress in a number of areas of the business:

Depot openings: we have opened 4 new depots, resulting in 21 new depots in the UK so far this year and bringing the total to 580. We are on course to open 30 new depots as expected in the whole of 2014.
New product development: we have recently commenced a trial that enables us to sell granite worktops from stock in a very small number of depots - initial feedback has been encouraging.
Legacy properties: the lease of one legacy property has been terminated, at a cost of £3m. With one lease having expired in May, this means that there are six legacy properties remaining, with net annual rent and rates of less than £1 million.
Pension scheme funding

In an announcement made in June 2012, the Group gave details of the agreement with the trustees of the Group's defined benefit pension scheme in relation to the schedule of payments towards the scheme's deficit for the three years ending 5 April 2015. In line with the agreement, we now expect to make an additional one-off payment for the current pension year of £10m, which will be paid in 2015.

There have been no other material changes to the financial position of the Group in the period save as a result of the usual impact of the level of trading and those other matters disclosed above.

Note 1: The range of analyst expectations for profit before tax and exceptional items from continuing operations for 2014 is believed to be £161m to £172m.

Next scheduled announcement

The Group will release its 2014 Preliminary Results on 26 February 2015.

Chris - Financial Calendar

Financial calendar

2014
Email this pagePrint this page
21 November2014 Interim dividend payment date
27 DecemberEnd of financial year
2015
Email this pagePrint this page
26 February2014 Preliminary Results
30 AprilInterim Management Statement
23 JulyHalf-Yearly Report
12 NovemberInterim Management Statement
26 DecemberEnd of financial year

skinny - 2014 according to financial calendar doesn't mention a trading statement on Thursday that's my point :0)

If in doubt - go to the horses mouth! :-)

Well that's a good point I'll give them a bell.

Spoken to Gary Rawson. Trading statement was due this thursday but because results were so positive the above Interim Statement was issued on the 5th.

My strategy FWIW was to wait for profit taking to kick in (happened on friday) possibility of gap from spike to close on chart and then go back in long with another spread bet.

In the meantime have left a limit long @ 372.50. See what happens :0)

I have one in @345p.

Sounds like a plan, that is roundaboutish where gap would be closed.

Berenberg Buy 375.85 420.00 445.00 Reiterates

Breakout within touching distance.

Breakout within touching distance.

Did break out intraday yesterday only to fall back. See what happens on Monday for a second attempt or not. Stop to entry.

Stop to 382.5 to lock in + 10 needs a volume injection.

On a mission today, breakout. Stop to 392.5

Stop to 402.5

Profit taking kicked in this morning. Left a Limit Buy on the spreads @ 406p

Just joined you here Casey Carson, F Greece and its problems, SANTA is coming to town. Consolidation after 2 down days, back for a go at the top and a new upleg coming.

Trading Statement

Howden Joinery Group Plc ('the Group') is today issuing an update on trading for the year.

The Board is pleased to report that the good trading performance seen in 2014 until the end of period 11 (as reported on 5 November 2014) continued for the remainder of the year.

As a result, it is expected that profit before tax for 2014 will be above the range of market expectations 1.

Trading

Total sales from Howden Joinery UK depots for 2014 of approximately £1070m (2013: £940.7m) were up 14%, rising 11% on a same depot basis.

The Group has also seen good performance on other key measures, including gross margin.

Business developments

Our new depots continue to perform well, 30 depots having opened in the UK during 2014, bringing the total to 589. In addition, we have recently opened two depots in Belgium.

Note 1: The range of analyst expectations for profit before tax and exceptional items from continuing operations for 2014 is believed to be £172m to £179m.

Next scheduled announcement

The Group will release its 2014 Preliminary Results on 26 February 2015.