WARNING Please note I have not verified the information contained in this thread so PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Charles Stanley forecast for current financial year is 1.4p eps ..........Prospective p/e is 6.4 ...@ 9p
Universe is a well established AIM company that looks on the road for recovery after being hit by the AIM fallout in mid 2006, it has a forecast of 1.4p eps & delayed orders should see a continued strength in financials. They are in the middle of selling a non essential part of the business which should soon reduce debt significantly. Furthermore mentioned in the interim results: "All our products and services give Universe continuing revenue after installation. The Company's recurring service income was 40% of HTEC sales in the first half."
..... I think this gives quite a bit of stability

'Blue chip' clients include: Asda, BP, Argos, Esso, McDonalds, Reuters, Spa, Shell, Total, Texaco, etc

AIM index: Pink

NOVEMBER 2006

OCTOBER 2006

SEPTEMBER 2006

Exec. Chairman buys 25,000 shares at 10.2p

HTEC WEBSITE

UNIVERSE WEBSITE

Universe Group PLC
17 November 2006



UNIVERSE GROUP PLC

17 November 2006



Universe Group plc

Update on sale of Paris bureaux and Group Strategic Review



The Board of Universe Group plc ('Universe' or 'the Company') announces that,
further to the statement made at the time of the interim results announcement on
8 September 2006, negotiations continue to secure the sale of the Company's
Paris based Bureau de Change business. The Board anticipates that further
details will be announced shortly.


The Board also announces that it has received a number of unsolicited approaches
to acquire the Company. The Board has given careful consideration to these
proposals but finds that the indicated valuation in each case significantly
undervalues the business, which continues to perform in line with management
expectations. The Company emphasises that it has received no firm proposals.
However, in light of the expressions of interest that have been received, and
given the continuing disappointing share price performance, the Board is
conducting a strategic review of the business and the opportunities available to
the Company, including means of improving the Company's balance sheet. This may
or may not involve the Company seeking an offer to be made for the issued and to
be issued share capital of the Company. However, there can be no certainty that
this process will lead to an offer being made for the Company nor as to the
terms of any such offer.


It is anticipated that this review will be completed before 31 December 2006
following which the Board will make a further statement.



For further information:



Universe Group plc 023 8068 9200
Ray Mackie, Executive Chairman



Charles Stanley Securities 020 7149 6000
Russell Cook

"significantly
undervalues the business, which continues to perform in line with management
expectations."



Suggests to me we are at least on target for brokers expected 1.4p eps, with delayed orders too, this one could be a good medium term hold.

2nd in top risers today up 44%

There`s life in the old dog yet!
I take it you are still in these papal ?

Universe Group wins three-year contract from Chevron for chip and PIN support
AFX


LONDON (AFX) - Universe Group PLC said its principal operating company, HTEC Ltd, has won a three-year support contract with Chevron Ltd to provide chip and PIN management support.

The contract covers more than 1,000 of Chevron's Texaco retail sites across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

'Approximately one third of all UK petrol stations use HTEC payment technology ... providing the specialist support services to complement this position is an excellent growth step for HTEC's expanding services division,' said Universe chairman Ray Mackie.

We should be receiving some more good news soon given the statements issued recently.

UNIVERSE GROUP PLC

17 November 2006



Universe Group plc

Update on sale of Paris bureaux and Group Strategic Review



The Board of Universe Group plc ('Universe' or 'the Company') announces that,
further to the statement made at the time of the interim results announcement on
8 September 2006, negotiations continue to secure the sale of the Company's
Paris based Bureau de Change business. The Board anticipates that further
details will be announced shortly.


The Board also announces that it has received a number of unsolicited approaches
to acquire the Company. The Board has given careful consideration to these
proposals but finds that the indicated valuation in each case significantly
undervalues the business, which continues to perform in line with management
expectations. The Company emphasises that it has received no firm proposals.
However, in light of the expressions of interest that have been received, and
given the continuing disappointing share price performance, the Board is
conducting a strategic review of the business and the opportunities available to
the Company, including means of improving the Company's balance sheet. This may
or may not involve the Company seeking an offer to be made for the issued and to
be issued share capital of the Company. However, there can be no certainty that
this process will lead to an offer being made for the Company nor as to the
terms of any such offer.


It is anticipated that this review will be completed before 31 December 2006
following which the Board will make a further statement.

Looking at the sp graph this looks like carelessness - just where is the good news that Posters think will boost this stock.
As I see it they are providing a small part of an overall scheme where oilcos and banks are strong players. Under those circumstances what USP...or market strength does Universe Group have?
Not small enough to be written off, but falls over the recent days must make it look as though the trend continues....what they need is some bright new ideas and maybe a parallel market to exploit, using their current T/O as a bread and butter line until they find a gem.
However, I don't think they have one yet.
Any contrary views?

Interesting interview with Stephen McLeod, Chief Executive Officer of Universe Group.

Click the link to listen;

http://www.brrmedia.co.uk/event/104231/stephen-mcleod-chief-executive-officer