looking at the sp Inchcape appears to have withstood the big fall in sp. down c.50% since Aug07 - the start of the Credit Crunch . . . . .

By comparison look at INCH and PDG (Pendragon) - from abouit 2005/6 they are somewhat similar (ignore noise!) and then at Aug07 the charts change - such that Pendragon is now about 80% down.

Why has Inchcape fared so much better?

They claim they are "independent" - but I can't imagine this means they are not tied to the Manufacturers - otherwise they won't get the best discounts, will they?

So when will INCH suffer similar falls....?

Can't say I'm impressed by Inchcape's website - far too strong on investor relations...which really means no information at all.....where are the Best Car-Deals?

EDIT (12Nov08), some Director-buying boosted this to 78p, but it slipped back on Media News that car sales are dire (and Retail!), so I suppose no-one expect this to improve for another year - 50p someone?
(Last month Dir-Buy was minute - 7k which wouldn't buy a Dir-car....oops!)

Deutsche Bank Reaffirms Buy Rating on Inchcape (INCH)

December 14th, 2012 - 0 comments - Filed Under - by Tyrone Williams
Filed Under: Analyst Articles - UK - Stock Market

Inchcape (LON: INCH)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reiterated by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank in a note issued to investors on Friday.

Shares of Inchcape opened at 437.10 on Friday. Inchcape has a one year low of GBX 276.20 and a one year high of GBX 452.10. The company’s market cap is £2.011 billion.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on INCH. Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Inchcape in a research note to investors on Tuesday, November 27th. They now have a $7.21 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Investec reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Inchcape in a research note to investors on Monday, November 26th. They now have a $8.02 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Nomura reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Inchcape in a research note to investors on Thursday, November 22nd. They now have a $7.02 price target on the stock.

Inchcape plc is an automotive retailer and distributor. As December 31, 2011, the Company operated in 26 markets, of which it operated as distributor in 22 of these, with retail only operations in the United Kingdom, Poland, Russia and China.

http://www.dailypolitical.com/finance/stock-market/deutsche-bank-reaffirms-buy-rating-on-inchcape-inch.htm

2012 Annual Results Announcement

Operational and strategic highlights:

· 12% adjusted EPS* growth in 2012 (3 year CAGR of 14%)
· Over 70% of Group trading profit now derived from Asia Pacific and Emerging Markets
· Record profit in Australasia and North Asia, and a record trading margin in the UK
· Post period end, acquired Trivett Automotive Group, Australia's largest premium automotive group

Financial highlights:

· Reported sales up 4.4% to £6.1bn (2011: £5.8bn)
· Pre-exceptional PBT up 10% to a record £250.3m (2011: £227.7m)
· Reported PBT up 24% to £251.5m (2011: £203.4m)
· Operating cash flow of £249.2m (2011: £244.7m)
· Final dividend payout ratio increased to 40%, Board recommends final dividend of 10.5p per share giving a total dividend for the year of 14.5p per share (2011: 11.0p), up 32%

14 May Inchcape PLC INCH Deutsche Bank Buy 526.00 527.00 585.00 585.00 Retains

585p SP Target.

A car sales firm worth looking at again, anyone traded them over the last year?