Quality UK Investment Blog
All my blog posts for FW Thorpe (TFW).
01 January 2019
By Maynard Paton
Happy New Year!
I trust you enjoyed the festive break and are now raring to do battle with the market for another twelve months!
This first Blog post of 2019 provides a ‘year in review’ of my current portfolio holdings. I recap how each of the underlying businesses performed during 2018, as well as provide a few remarks about valuation.
21 September 2018
By Maynard Paton
Update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Preliminary results for the twelve months to 30 June 2018 published 20 September 2018.
Summary: The specialist lighting manufacturer delivered its fifth consecutive year of record results, although describing an underlying 2% profit advance as “excellent” overplayed the performance somewhat. Still, the figures were a touch better than I had expected and showcased all the usual financial attractions — decent margins, vast surplus cash and robust reinvestment returns. Sales of some new high-tech products apparently “rocketed”, too. That said, TFW suffered mixed divisional performances while the share-price rating remains rich. I continue to hold.
16 March 2018
By Maynard Paton
Update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Interim results for the six months to 31 December 2017 published 15 March 2018
Summary: These first-half figures actually set new H1 records, but they also confirmed TFW’s good run of double-digit profit growth will pause during 2018. Pressure on prices for tunnel lighting was cited as one reason for the pedestrian performance. Should revenue and profit continue to plateau, the elevated share price — rated at 22x my earnings guess — may be at risk of a de-rating. Still, the lighting specialist remains a very respectable business, and continues to be led by directors that think long term. I continue to hold.
01 January 2018
By Maynard Paton
Happy New Year!
I trust you have enjoyed the festive break and are now raring to do battle with the market for another twelve months!
This first Blog post of 2018 provides a ‘year in review’ of my current portfolio holdings. I recap how each of the underlying businesses performed during 2017, as well as provide a few remarks about valuation.
22 September 2017
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Preliminary results for the twelve months to 30 June 2017 published 21 September 2017
Summary: Yet again this lighting specialist has delivered a very satisfactory annual performance, with revenue and profit attaining fresh all-time highs and the dividend lifted for the fifteenth consecutive year. Although the group’s largest division appears to be performing very well, other subsidiaries did not enjoy the very best of second halves. Management comments about 2018 seemed quite cautious, too. The accounts remain in pristine condition, but I am mindful of the shares trading at a rich multiple. I continue to hold.
17 March 2017
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Interim results for the six months to 31 December 2016 published 16 March 2017
Summary: Once again this lighting specialist has issued a very satisfactory set of results. The highlight was the performance of the group’s main division, which following a few subdued years has suddenly enjoyed a step-change to its financial progress. TFW’s other divisions reported impressive numbers, too, while the balance sheet remains teeming with surplus cash and investments. Throw in a coded management ‘upgrade’ for the full year and it’s perhaps no surprise the shares presently trade on an extended rating. I continue to hold.
01 January 2017
By Maynard Paton
Happy New Year!
I trust you enjoyed the festive break and are now raring to do battle with the market for another twelve months!
This first Blog post of 2017 provides a ‘year-in-review’ of my current portfolio holdings. I recap how each of the underlying businesses performed during 2016, as well as provide a few remarks about valuation.
As I mentioned this time last year, I find writing such reviews extremely useful — not least because it encourages me to double-check my investment logic to ensure I am still invested for all the right reasons!
23 September 2016
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Preliminary results for the year to 30 June 2016 published 22 September 2016
Summary: A very satisfactory set of record figures from this lighting specialist, underpinned by last year’s Dutch acquisition that appears to have delivered 75% annualised profit growth. TFW’s other two divisions reported positive progress, too, while the balance sheet remains awash with surplus cash and investments. Although the near-term valuation appears rich, the group’s decent financials, illustrious dividend and veteran board remain very captivating. I continue to hold.
21 March 2016
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Interim results for the six months to December 2015 published 21 March
Summary: A respectable but not a spectacular set of figures, with underlying revenue and profit both advancing by 5%. Although progress at the group’s main Thorlux division looks to have stagnated, last year’s Dutch acquisition appears to be performing very well. A special 2p per share dividend was a welcome move, but a cash pile of 30p per share suggests much more could be distributed. I continue to hold.
01 January 2016
By Maynard Paton
Happy New Year!
I trust you enjoyed the festive break and are now raring to do battle with the market for another twelve months!
This first Blog post of 2016 provides a short ‘year-in-review’ of each of my current portfolio holdings.
As I mentioned at the start of 2015, I find writing such reviews extremely useful — not least because it encourages me to double-check my investment logic to ensure I am still invested for all the right reasons!
17 September 2015
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Preliminary results published 17 September
Summary: Yet another dependable set of figures, with revenue, profit and the dividend reporting further advances — and all accompanied by the usual unpretentious management commentary. That said, it is TFW’s smaller divisions that are making the greatest strides at present — and it remains to be seen whether they can sustain such progress. Elsewhere, a recent acquisition is doing well and the balance sheet remains flush with cash. I continue to hold.
20 March 2015
By Maynard Paton
Quick update on FW Thorpe (TFW).
Event: Interim results published 19 March
Summary: Good set of reliable figures with revenues, profits, the dividend and net cash all moving higher. Progress was made throughout the group’s different divisions, with sales of LED products apparently booming. A loss-making subsidiary has also been sold. I could find no accounting worries and wish all my investments could issue such dependable results. I continue to hold.
30 January 2015
By Maynard Paton
It’s funny how the dullest companies can produce some of the very best returns for patient investors.
Take FW Thorpe (TFW) for example. I wrote about this obscure lighting business for my former employer back in 2004, when the market cap was £26m and the share price was 23p (adjusted for a later 10-for-1 split).
Today, TFW’s market cap is £156m and the price is 135p — a 500% return if you include dividends collected along the way.
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