Just reviewing the Annual Report - one comment that share price 31st March 1982 was 78.3p (they clearly have a lot of long term holders like me who one day may have CGT calculation to work out). Today around 14 and lots of divis along the way. All done on own generated cash. Sensible strategic move to buy Strathmore Water last year (press comment recently that Coca Cola looking at Highland Spring) - main Barr product is IRN BRU. Big operational improvements made in 2006 should provide springboard IMO for continued growth and mine remain locked away.Always DYOR

Confident trading statement earlier this week - first quarter sales up 20% (11% like for like and rest down to acquisition of Strathmore). On gross margins on traditional business of 50%, coupled with cost reductions following move of operations, I reckon eps could reach 1 in current year. Dependent to quite an extent on summer weather and not dirt cheap even at that level, but medium prospects very good and always perhaps a chance that Coca Cola might get so irritated by being outsold in Scotland that they decide to spend some of their petty cash on it. IMO a great share for long term PEP/ISA, but always DYOR.

If anyone else interested, share split becomes effective today. Baffles me a bit why they only went for a split in half, leaving price about 750p - another core holding of mine PZC had a 10 for 1 some time ago when the shares reached similar level around 15 ( and incidentally now about 225p). BAG prospects continue imho to look sound and they remain locked in to my long term ISA, but always DYOR

Outstanding results today and price responded accordingly. Sponsorship of Rugby league seems to have has the desired effect on IRN BRU sales in England. IMO a good defensive share in uncertain times. Roll on a barbecue summer in 2010!

Soft drinks sector performing well and recent results from BAG show why. IMO a very well run business, with defensive qualities, sound prospects and core holding in my ISA. Now around 950p.

Decent trading update today - looks like Eddie Stobart managed to make most of the Christmas deliveries, despite the snow! Now around 1100p and remains a core ISA holding for me, but always dyor.

Share split effective today - no need to panic!

Share split seems to have encouraged some - up over 30p on Thursday and over 40p yesterday, bodes well, I hope!

Bit lonely on here - hope some of the longer term investors in this well run business. News of contract award for large facility at Milton Keynes seems to have generated some interest today. Perhaps Irn Bru is destined to become no 1 soft drink seller south of the Scottish border......

Partridge, I have these lined up for my NG. dividend - unfortunately not available until the 15th August, so I would prefer it not to get too ahead until then.

Skinny- should take at least a year to determine whether the Milton Keynes project is on time/budget, so think you should be ok for a week or so!

Partridge - I take you have seen the BVIC news.

Yes Skinny- just. Been (very) long term holder of BAG and have high regard for both its management and its principal product Irn Bru. Never been so keen on BVIC - too much debt for my liking and never held. With CEO of combined outfit from BAG, think they have made the right choice (assuming it happens). Lots of potential synergies, but lots of possible pitfalls as well. I will continue to hold, but a bit more nervously than before. Had always hoped Coca Cola or Pepsi might take out BAG - that now looks more unlikely.

Partridge - current shenanigans apart and perhaps somewhat tenuous :- Andy Murray toasts epic US Open victory with bottle of Irn-Bru

AWESOME Andy Murray toasted his stunning US Open triumph yesterday – with an Irn-Bru.

And he was piped into a reception in his honour to celebrate his epic five-set victory over Novak Djokovic.

Amid scenes of jubiliation, Murray was welcomed to the British consul general’s residence in New York. A piper dressed in full Highland regalia blasted out Scotland the Brave as he made his entrance into the plush Manhattan rooftop apartment alongside his mum Judy.

A thirsty Andy promptly declined the other drinks on offer at the bash – before quaffing a glass of Irn-Bru to cheers from well-wishers.

Good spot Skinny. All publicity good publicity...and it does taste great! Hope you managed to add a few of these from your NG divi a few weeks ago. Bit dangerous to get too emotionally atttached to shares, so sold a small part of my holding the other day at 458p just in case the BVIC deal does not hapen for any reason. Covered the original cost many years ago - glad they are in my ISA!

AG Barr reports interim results, but investors will be more interested in signals on the Irn-Bru maker’s proposed merger with Britvic, its fellow soft-drinks manufacturer, writes Louise Lucas.

The Scottish company, famed for the super-sweet “Scotland’s other national drink”, this month approached Britvic, whose fortunes have fallen in recent times following a poor UK summer and a product recall. While the deal is billed as a merger, Roger White, AG Barr’s chief executive, would lead the combined company.

Despite being dented by poor weather, which has taken the edge off Britons’ thirsts, AG Barr is expected to report sales growth of around 5 per cent to £129.7m, according to analysts at Panmure Gordon. The brokerage notes that this is “comfortably ahead of the overall market”.

However, Panmure Gordon’s analysts expect adjusted pre-tax profit to fall 6 per cent to £15.6m, reflecting higher input costs, continuing brand investment and a deterioration in the mix
of products on offer.

Interim results


Key Points



· Total turnover increased by 4.9% to £130.0m (2011: £124.0m)

· Pre exceptional profit on ordinary activities before tax was £14.9m (2011: £16.2m)

· Profit before tax £0.3m behind the prior year on a constant currency basis

· Basic earnings per share were 10.14p (2011:10.81p)

· Return on capital employed remained strong at 21.1%, on a 12 month basis

· Net debt reduced to £11.4m; annualised net debt/EBITDA ratio is below 0.3 times

· Core brands IRN-BRU, Barr and Rubicon maintained strong market positions and grew market share

· The planned new production and distribution site at Milton Keynes is now under construction

· Interim dividend of 2.616p per share (2011: 2.433p), an increase of 7.5% on the prior year

· Following the announcement of the potential all share merger with Britvic plc on 5 September, it is confirmed that talks are ongoing



http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4450240

Final results

Key Points

· Total turnover increased by 6.6% to £237.6m (2012: £222.9m - restated)

· Profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptional items increased by 4.3% to £35.0m (2012: £33.6m)

· Underlying earnings per share increased by 10.9%*

· Core brands IRN-BRU, Barr, Rubicon and KA all grew in the period; in addition Rockstar performed particularly strongly

· Continued robust financial position

o net assets increasing to £130.6m

o ROCE over 20%

o strong underlying free cash flow of £22.0m

· New production and warehouse facility at Crossley, Milton Keynes progressing to plan and expected to be operational in the summer of 2013

· Second interim dividend paid, in lieu of the final dividend, of 7.4p per share (2012: 6.88p) giving a total dividend for the year of 10.02p per share, an increase of 7.6% over the prior year

· Following referral of the proposed merger with Britvic plc to the Competition Commission, the companies are working with the Competition Commission during its investigation with a view to seeking clearance of the possible merger

Canaccord Genuity Buy 528.25 520.50 490.00 570.00 Upgrades

Investec Buy 528.25 520.50 485.00 562.00 Retains

Interim Results

Key Points

● Total turnover increased by 5.8% to £128.7m (2012: £121.6m restated)

● Profit on ordinary activities before tax and exceptional items increased by 12.3% to £16.6m (2012: £14.8m restated)

● *Underlying earnings per share increased by 12.6% to 11.34p (2012:10.07p)

● Continuing financial strength

○ Net assets increased to £147.5m

○ ROCE at 21.5% on a rolling 12 month basis

○ Strong underlying free cash flow of £18.1m for the 6 month period

● Net debt of £15.8m; annualised net debt/EBITDA ratio is below 0.4 times

● IRN-BRU, Barr and Rubicon maintained strong market positions

● New production and distribution site at Milton Keynes has already commenced commercial production with further commissioning continuing for the balance of the year

● Agreement to implement Asset Backed Funding arrangement with Pension Trustees

● Interim dividend of 2.825p per share (2012: 2.616p), an increase of 8% on the prior year