Grafton Group plc is an independent, profit-orientated growth company, operating in the UK and Ireland whose main activities are builders and plumbers merchanting, DIY retailing and mortar manufacturing. The Group aims to achieve above average returns for its shareholders. Grafton's strategy is to build on strong positions in businesses serving the UK and Irish construction sectors, to develop in related markets, and to grow in businesses with which it is familiar. In the UK, Grafton's merchanting operations are the fourth largest in the market. These comprise 147 plumbers merchanting branches trading under the Plumbase brand, and 163 builders merchanting branches trading principally under the Buildbase and Jackson brands. In Northern Ireland, Macnaughton Blair is one of the leading builders merchants trading from 12 locations. EuroMix is the UK market leader in dry mortar with 8 plants. In the Republic of Ireland, the Group is the largest builders and plumbers merchanting business trading from 31 branches nationally under the Chadwicks brand and from 25 branches nationally under the Heiton Buckley brand. The Group is the clear leader in Irish DIY retailing with 20 Woodie's and 15 Atlantic Homecare stores nationally and, amongst other activities, has manufacturing plants in plastics and concrete products, including EuroMix dry mortar.
Grafton Group plc is predominantly a UK and Ireland-based building materials group with 591 branches and a turnover of over £2 billion.


http://www.graftonplc.com/

Interim Management Statement

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4922459

Trading Statement

Trading conditions were favourable in the final quarter with positive momentum from a sustained recovery in the UK and Irish economies leading to increased demand in the residential repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) and new build markets. The rate of growth eased as anticipated in the second half of the year measured against progressively improving trends over the same period in 2013. Revenue for the year to 31 December 2014 was £2.08 billion, an increase of 9.5 per cent on revenue of £1.90 billion in 2013.





http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4954904

8 Jan Liberum Capital 695.00 Hold

Grafton Group PLC (GFTU:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 720.50. Over this period, the share price is up 16.96%.

New high full stop I think. This is one that's quietly starting to do nicely for me. Good play on construction recovery / demand.

Acquisition of TG Lynes Ltd
RNS
RNS Number : 1589G
Grafton Group PLC
02 March 2015





Grafton Group plc

Acquisition of TG Lynes Ltd

Grafton Group plc, the builders merchanting and DIY Group with operations in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, announces that it has completed the acquisition of TG Lynes Ltd, a leading distributor of mechanical engineering products for use in commercial and public sector buildings, apartments and industrial processes.

TG Lynes has a long established and strong position in the mechanical services market in London and the South East region and trades from a purpose built distribution facility in Enfield, North London. The acquisition greatly enhances the Group's coverage of this segment of the merchanting market and is a significant step forward that complements development of the Plumbase Industrial business. Plumbase Industrial currently trades from ten locations following a successful entry into the market with the opening of its first branch in 2013. The acquisition further strengthens the Group's platform for future growth in this target sector and will be earnings enhancing from completion.

Ends

5 Mar Liberum Capital 695.00 Hold

Final Results


Financial Highlights

· Revenue up 9.6% to £2.1 billion (11.0% in constant currency)

· Underlying operating profit* up 43% to £110.1 million from £77.2 million

· Underlying Group operating profit margin* increased by 120 basis points to 5.3% from 4.1%

· Underlying profit before taxation* up 56% to £101.2 million from £64.9 million

· Adjusted basic earnings per share up 54% to 34.4p

· 26% dividend increase reflects strong improvement in profitability

· Strong cash generation from operations of £160.0 million and year-end gearing of 8%

· Return on capital employed increased by 330 basis points to 11.1%



Operating Highlights

· Strong UK merchanting performance driven by growth in the housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) and new-build markets

· Significant profit growth in Irish Merchanting business as market recovery accelerated

· DIY business in Ireland improved its performance in a stable market

· Five bolt-on acquisitions completed during the year - three in the UK and two in Belgium
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



10 Mar Numis 850.00 Add
10 Mar Liberum Capital 695.00 Hold
6 Mar Liberum Capital 695.00 Hold
5 Mar Liberum Capital 695.00 Hold

IC - Grafton gathers momentum.

Grafton chief executive Gavin Slark reckons there is much more growth to come, suggesting the group has the capability to increase operating margins to 7%. Grafton is finally starting to see the benefits of a revival in the housing sector, as well as growing consumer spending on maintenance and repairs.

26 Mar Investec 860.00 Buy

Grafton Group PLC (GFTU:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 868.00. Over this period, the share price is up 38.92%.

Interim management statement

Yawing a bit but fairly good IMS and Directors stumping up in the past couple of days.

Upgrade - 22 May Jefferies... 960.00 Buy

Irish broker Cantor's note yesterday;

 We remain happy to add to positions in core portfolio stock
Grafton Group and see current levels as an attractive entry point
 The group has had a positive start to the year highlighted by its
IMS last week
Comment: The recent trading update highlighted an uptick in operating
profit with management expecting to see the full benefits from margin
expansion initiatives coming through in the second half of the year. Its
store implant strategy should continue to support gains while opportunities
remain to grow its Selco brand across locations and store size. The
balance sheet remains strong and should support bolt on acquisitions
should suitable candidates be identified. We are happy to add to positions
in Grafton, given the continued growth in top line and progressive margin
expansion. We continue to believe the shares are attractive, trading on a
Price/Earnings to Growth ratio of 0.8x.

Grafton schedules update and interims
StockMarketWire.com
Grafton Group will issue a trading update on 9 July in advance of its results for the six months ended 30 June which will be issued on 27 August.

At 3:24pm: (LON:GFTU) Grafton Group PLC share price was +4p at 770p

Trading update

Half yearly report

Financial Highlights

· Revenue up 7% to £1.08 billion (10% in constant currency)

· Group operating profit up 21% to £61.2 million and operating profit margin increased to 5.6% from 5.0%

· Property profit contribution increased to £6.1 million from £1.6 million and Group operating profit margin before property profit increased to 5.1% from 4.8%

· Profit before taxation up 26% to £57.9 million and basic earnings per share up 31% to 20.2p

· 20% increase in dividend reflects strong results and financial position

· Strong cash generation from operations of £73.2 million (2014: £88.1 million)

· Investment of £42.9 million on acquisition and capital expenditure to support future growth

· Net debt declined to a near two decade low of £51.1 million from £75.3 million at 31 December 2014 representing gearing of 5%



Operating Highlights

· UK merchanting business delivered a good performance as positive economic backdrop supported increased activity in the residential RMI and new build markets

· Strong performance by Selco

· Significant contribution from UK acquisitions and new branches

· Continued progress in Irish businesses with strong profit growth in merchanting business as economy rebounds

27 Aug Davy Research N/A Outperform

28 Aug Numis 850.00 Add