To get the thread rolling on this stock - of those people who had windfalls, or ahve invested in the stock at flotation or since - it would be interesting to know what your thoughts are.

For those that were and are eligible for the 5% discount this time next year (+ the dividends beforehand), are you planning to sell at this level or hold. Are others buying at this price?

My own money is that the 5% share top up next year together with a divi of perhaps 4% (on flotation price) makes these shares a hold - and if enough other shareholders feel the same it is likely that there will not be much stock for others to purchase and the price will hopefully rise further. But what are the thoughts of others?

i agree with you paul ...... there is also some chance of a t/o somewhere in the future, but meanwhile, they look a very good and solid hold

and with a steady increment in sp, I see no reason at all to change my view

Totally agree, I benefitted from the windfall but SL. is what I would be looking to invest in anyway, decent divi payer, steady business making profits and with the prospect of being taken over, I'm holding long term.
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Try this! ...... I am delighted I held my freebies and also bought extra

I've not seen the article but the express touting that AXA may be looking to t/o.
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I think it was also in Telegraph this morning ...... Regardless, SL have performed very well indeed since the flotation, even using the full (non-discounted) 240p as the opening price ..... +20% since beginning of July (4 months) is more than acceptable.

Yes it's been a good ride so far. Regarding the market in general, many of the so called experts are talking it up, and I read yesterday (This is money I think) that investors are piling in, this is making me wary.
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George, Cynic: The word is that AXA are looking to come in with a 7bn bid. Considering Standard Life is currently valued at 6bn, this equates to nearly a 17% premium. But what happens to those windfall shareholders who are entitled to a 5% bonus number of shares for holding there intial allocation and any preferrential shares that they bought in the IPO for a year? Surely, they will have to be treated differently?

StarFrog-----I would say that AXA or whoever eventually takes over SL.(if it happens) would have to make allowances for the bonus shares and also 7bn or around 340p per share, would not be enough, imo of course.
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The sp reaction would indicate that the market is not getting too excited just yet.
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George (Or do you prefer you're numerical name?)- You're probably correct on the allowances issue - seems the fair thing to do. Just appears to me that this could be messy sorting out those who are entitled and those who aren't. But then again, thats what registrars are for ;-)

Hope you're right about a higher valuation, too.

I'll keep holding, anyway, and see what comes along.

Good luck

StarFrog---makes no difference to me I'll answer to most things, I'm in as a value holder on these so I'll be holding for years to come, providing I still regard them as a value stock, and supposing they aren't t/o.
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I agree with you George ...... these shares make a very sound core portfolio holding ..... if the company gets taken over, so well and good

Cynic - I know your name from the VOG board - Hi. It seems most of us received the freebie allocation, bought extras where we could (and who wouldn't?) and want to hold for at least that first year - would it not take that long for any potential t/o in any event so surely the extra freebie shares promised should be issued anyway? Or am I missing something. Annette.

don't think you have missed anything, but don't understand the point you are trying to make ...... unless ..... the extra freebies are a contractual obligation by SL so any predator would be obligated to take those into account when pitching his offer

Cynic - I believe Dartmoor is refering to the bonus shares that will be issued free to those investors who retained for the first year their initial demutulisation allocation and any preferrential shares that they bought. The bonus shares will be issued on a 1 for 20 basis.

Dartmoor - [Edit: Just like cynic says] I (also) believe that any company taking over Standard Life will be contractually obliged to honour the bonus share scheme.

starfrog ..... that is exactly what i wrote!!

Sorry cynic, but I was picking up on your "don't understand the point you are trying to make" comment. I thought that you didn't understand Dartmoor's reference to the "freebies". Obviously, you do! LOL

Nice upward movement -----------so far. (I have previous for opening my big mouth, and then seeing a reversal in the sp)
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shall continue to hold ...... for sure there will be a dip of an unknown magnitude when the bonus shares are issued etc and a lot of small holders jump out, but i rather feel that will be a time to top up ..... one may need to be pretty nimble (and lucky) to get the timing right