Town Centre Securities: 57 Years Of Unbroken Dividends And A Share Price 25% Below NAV

08 March 2018
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares by evaluating Town Centre Securities (TOWN).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

* Illustrious payout history: The business boasts an unbroken 57-year record of dividend payments.

* Substantial long-term shareholders: The founding/managing family boast a sizeable 52%/£78m investment.

* Discount to book value: The 281p shares trade at a 25% discount to the group’s 375p net asset value.

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Ashmore: I Can No Longer Watch After Clients Lose $2.8bn

03 March 2017
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares by revisiting Ashmore (ASHM). I first placed the company on my Watch List during March 2015.

Here are the attractions that prompted this revisit:

* Fantastic financials: The books showcase a 67% operating margin and a £601m net cash and investment hoard

* Boardroom billionaire: Management continues to be led by the company’s founder, who has £1bn riding on the share price

* Conducive (post-Brexit) currencies: Group revenue is earned almost entirely in USD while costs are expensed mostly in GBP

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Shoe Zone: I’m Worried About Revenue And Have Given The Share The Boot

08 February 2017
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for possible investments by revisiting Shoe Zone (SHOE). I first placed this company on my Watch List during March 2015.

Here are the attractions that prompted this revisit:

* Owner-aligned boardroom: The executive family management boasts a 50%/£90m shareholding

* Generous dividend payments: The group will soon have distributed all of its earnings as ordinary and special dividends for the last two years

* Straightforward accounts: The books showcase net cash, modest capex and high returns on equity

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Cambria Automobiles: The Boss Owns 40% And The P/E Is 7

11 January 2017
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Cambria Automobiles (CAMB).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

* Owner/entrepreneur boss: The company’s founder retains a 40%/£24m stake, has never sold a share, and continues to serve as chief executive

* Respectable financial progress: The accounts exhibit a 10-year history of mostly rising revenue, profit and dividends

* Interesting valuation: The shares have fallen 25% from their high and currently trade on a single-digit P/E

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Watch List: Updates On Ashmore, Bioventix, Daejan, Goodwin, Latchways And Shoe Zone

5 August 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m reviewing the six shares that reside on my Watch List. After all, there’s no point in me operating a Watch List if I don’t occasionally review the progress of my potential investments — and ensure I’m all ready to buy when their valuations become more attractive!

So here is what’s happened at my Watch List companies since the initial write-ups.

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Panther Securities: The Boss Has Waived His Pay For 8 Years

30 July 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Panther Securities (PNS).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Thin-cat management: The boss last collected a salary during 2006
Resilient dividend: The payout has not been cut following the group’s 1994 flotation
Interesting valuation: The shares trade at 86% of net asset value

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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J Smart & Co: 20 Years Of Dividend Advances But Still Not For Me

10 July 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at J Smart & Co (SMJ).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Loyal management: The Smart family has controlled the business for decades
Dependable dividend: The payout has advanced every year since at least 1994
Interesting valuation: The shares trade at 52% of net asset value

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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BP Marsh: 11% Average NAV Growth For 25 Years

17 June 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at BP Marsh (BPM).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Lowly valuation: The shares trade at a 28% discount to the group’s net asset value
Appealing history: Book value has reportedly grown at an 11% annual average since 1990
Owner management: The present boss established the firm and boasts a 63% shareholding

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Cenkos: The P/E Is 6 And The Yield is 9%

19 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Cenkos (CNKS).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Lowly valuation: The P/E is 6 and the yield is 9%
Appealing accounts: Recent results showed high margins and net cash
Owner management: The directors control 23% of the business

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Numis: The Downsides To A Dividend Up 17-Fold

13 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Numis (NUM).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Appealing accounts: Recent results showed high margins and net cash
Dividend history: The payout has advanced 17-fold since 1999
Owner management: The directors control 21% of the business

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Dewhurst: A P/E Of 8 But I’m Not 100% Convinced

23 April 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Dewhurst (DWHA).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Loyal management: Dewhurst has been a family-run business since its formation in 1919
Rising dividend: The payout has advanced every year since at least 1999
Interesting valuation: The shares could offer a possible P/E of less than 8

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Zytronic: The Dividend’s Up 5-Fold Yet I’m Still Not Sure

02 April 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Zytronic (ZYT).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Appealing financials: Accounts showcase 15%-plus margins and an asset-rich balance sheet
Rising dividend: Payout has advanced 5-fold between 2005 and 2014
Interesting valuation: The shares could offer a possible P/E of 11

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Ashmore: 66% Margins And £547m Net Cash

11 March 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Ashmore (ASHM).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Majestic financials: Accounts showcase 66% average margins and £547m net cash and investments
Hefty insider ownership: Founder/chief exec enjoys £808m shareholding
Interesting valuation: The shares offer a trailing dividend yield of 5.9%

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Shoe Zone: Why This £69m Shareholding Could Be Worth Watching

02 March 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Shoe Zone (SHOE).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Simple business: It’s a retailer of cheap shoes
Cash-rich: Latest balance sheet showed cash of £9m and no debt
Owner-aligned bosses: Family management boasts 55%/£69m shareholding

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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Microgen: High Margins And Cash Rich But Not For Me

24 February 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m continuing my hunt for Watch List shares with a look at Microgen (MCGN).

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

High margins: 30% reported for 2013
Cash rich: Latest update reported £25m net cash
Veteran boss: Executive chairman appointed during 1998 and boasts £7m shareholding

As usual, I’m applying a question-and-answer template to help me pinpoint companies that match the criteria set out in How I Invest. I’m looking for as many Yes answers as possible.

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