Maynard Paton | Category: My Shares

Tasty: Accelerated Expansion Supports Multi-Bagger Hopes

08 September 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Tasty (TAST).

Event: Interim results published 8 September

Summary: A very satisfactory set of results, with highlights including higher margins and a further acceleration of new restaurant openings. It certainly appears as if TAST will expand using debt rather than equity, though further borrowings will be needed for the business to become self-funding. I remain convinced the family management here can replicate its earlier success at Prezzo (PRZ) and can perhaps quadruple TAST’s market cap. I continue to hold.

Record: I’ve Slashed My Earnings Guess By 27%

25 August 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Record (REC).

Event: Business update published 25 August

Summary: A very disappointing statement. A major client has withdrawn $2.8bn from REC’s administration and I’ve had to slash my earnings guess by 27%. The shares have dropped significantly, though at 29p they remain valued at 10x possible profits and yield 5.7%. The business remains high margin and cash rich, but sadly still dependent on a small number of customers. I continue to hold.

Mincon: Tough Results Showcase Improved Q2, 15% Margins And £24m Net Cash

24 August 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Mincon (MCON).

Event: Interim results published 19 August.

Summary: These figures were not too disappointing given MCON’s lacklustre first-quarter statement. A definite improvement occurred during Q2 and 15% margins suggest MCON retains a respectable competitive position. Nonetheless, the firm’s acquisition strategy remains unproven and working-capital demands are still very high. While a P/E valuation of 12-14 does not tempt me to top up, I continue to hold.

French Connection: Reasons To Keep Holding (As Well As Avoid!) This Frustrating Investment

Today I’m summarising my current thoughts on French Connection (FCCN), a small-cap fashion retailer that continues to suffer from poor trading and which remains an under-whelming investment in my portfolio.

You can read my earlier Blog posts on FCCN here. But to cut to the chase, a trading statement in April owned up to weak retail sales and it’s likely the current year will witness FCCN’s seventh overall annual loss in eight years.

One day I’m sure a sustained turnaround here could deliver an exceptional share-price gain — although there is the real chance this company may never actually turn…

Anyway, prompted by FCCN’s share price falling steeply of late, I’ve weighed up the various pros and cons of what has become a very frustrating business and investment. Just to confirm, I continue to hold the shares.

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.

City Of London Investment: 7% Income Confirmed In Double-Quick Time

15 July 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on City of London Investment (CLIG).

Event: Summary annual results published 15 July

Summary: A set of satisfactory outline results, commendably issued once again in double-quick time. But it was no real surprise to see CLIG downgrade some of its earlier growth assumptions, while new client money continues to be required to help earnings recover and lift the dividend. The accounts remain great and for now I’m content with the 24p per share payout and 7% income. I continue to hold.

Mountview Estates: My NAV Guess Is £180 Per Share

26 June 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Mountview Estates (MTVW).

Event: Preliminary results published 25 June

Summary: MTVW’s best-ever results, albeit they included what looks to have been quite a weak finish to the year. Importantly, gross margins were high and management’s outlook continues to be positive. Furthermore, the dividend marched upwards once again. My sums point to a possible NAV of £180-plus per share based on the firm’s previous gains from its sold properties. I continue to hold.

Record: The Dividend’s Up 10% And I Have Bought More

16 June 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Record (REC).

Event: Final results published 16 June

Summary: Satisfactory results, with a positive outlook and a 10% dividend lift supporting my belief that REC’s recovery is gathering pace. However, news of a 10% company-wide salary hike for staff was not so pleasing, and my earnings guess for 2016 has been trimmed accordingly. Nevertheless, the accounts remain impressive and the valuation looks lowly, and I have bought more shares today.

World Careers Network: How I’ve Become Stuck With A 37% Loss

04 June 2015
By Maynard Paton

Today I’m owning up to the second of two new investments I’ve made during the last few months.

I say ‘owning up’ because this second share has so far been a complete disaster. Indeed, what I thought could have been a ‘perfect stock’ has instead rewarded me with a 37% paper loss :-(

The company in question is World Careers Network (WOR), an obscure AIM-quoted business that develops and sells recruitment software for major employers.

I purchased the shares during February and March 2015 at an average price of 320p including all costs. The bid price now is 200p and the holding currently represents about 3% of my portfolio.

When I bought, I was convinced this £24m firm offered all the hallmarks of a successful investment. Alongside claims of supplying “world-class technology”, other attractions included a blue-chip client list, generous margins, a cash-flush balance sheet, respectable sales growth and a long-time founder/entrepreneur at the helm. Furthermore, a possible P/E of just 7 suggested the shares were a bargain.

However, events have since not gone my way as I will explain in a moment. And I dare say some investors would have never touched WOR in the first place due to its humungous bid-offer spread and dominant 80%-plus family ownership.

Electronic Data Processing: I’ll Just Have To Make Do With The Uncovered 7.2% Income

26 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Electronic Data Processing (EDP).

Event: Interim results published 26 May.

Summary: Another rather dull update from this rather dull software microcap. These results were a little disappointing on the revenue and profit fronts, but at least there was some useful progress on the balance sheet. One day I trust EDP’s business can advance significantly and provide some long-awaited excitement. Until then I’ll just have to make do with the uncovered 7.2% dividend yield. I continue to hold.

Mincon: Have Q1 Profits Just Slumped 24%?

26 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Mincon (MCON).

Event: Trading statement published 26 May.

Summary: A lacklustre Q1 update. Although underlying revenue managed to remain flat, margins have slumped as MCON’s drills and bits continue to face pricing pressure. I reckon the group’s Q1 profits may have fallen by 24%, while the net cash position is somewhat lower, too. I just hope the inherent strengths of this business can show through during the rest of 2015. I continue to hold.

Tristel: I’m Still Projecting 15%-Plus Annual Returns

22 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Tristel (TSTL).

Event: Trading update published 21 May.

Summary: At last — one of my shares has issued an ‘ahead of expectations’ trading statement! TSTL’s medical wipes appear to be selling very well and second-half profits now seem set to grow by 35%. There could be further upside, too, if TSTL’s past ‘sandbagging’ form is anything to go by. My valuation sums still suggest annual returns of 15%-plus could be earned. I continue to hold.

Andrews Sykes: Dividend Yield Now 7.9%

06 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on Andrews Sykes (ASY).

Event: Final results published 06 May

Summary: Results better than I had expected. A dismal first half was followed by a less dismal second half and the outlook for 2015 appears relatively promising. Accounts still showcase solid financials and I’m pleased ASY’s 90% owner continues to share the wealth through sizeable dividends. The yield is 7.9% at 300p. I continue to hold.

Bioventix: 67% Margins From Monoclonal Antibodies

06 May 2015
By Maynard Paton

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

Here are the initial attractions that prompted this research:

Super profitability: Operating margins were a stratospheric 67% in 2014
Asset rich: The balance sheet carries net cash and freehold property
Owner management: The chief exec owns 12% 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.

French Connection: Profit Warning Means Radical Action Is Now Required

24 April 2015
By Maynard Paton

Quick update on French Connection (FCCN).

Event: Trading update published 24 April

Summary: Profit warning — poor H1 Retail sales will mean greater-than-expected group losses this year. However, the profitable Wholesale and Licensing divisions continue to perform as expected. Turnaround possibilities remain, but the protracted wait has become just that bit longer once again. What’s needed now is some radical management action. I continue to hold.

Maynard Paton: “City of London Investment (CLIG) AGM attendance 28 October 2024 I attended CLIG’s AGM at the group’s head office in…” 20 Jun 2025

Maynard Paton: “City of London Investment (CLIG) Publication of 2024 annual report continued Here are some further points of interest to accompany…” 20 Jun 2025

Maynard Paton: “Hi Javed, Thanks for the message. You could apply a discount. But my calculations are based on today’s values or…” 20 Jun 2025

Javed Abrahams: “Don’t we need to apply an appropriate discount rate to the vacant possession NAV to calculate the true NAV? A…” 20 Jun 2025

Maynard Paton: “City of London Investment (CLIG) Publication of 2024 annual report Here are some points of interest to accompany those noted…” 19 Jun 2025

Maynard Paton: “System1 (SYS1) Publication of 2024 annual report (continued) Here are more points of interest beyond those noted in the blog…” 25 May 2025

Maynard Paton: “System1 (SYS1) Publication of 2024 annual report Here are the points of interest beyond those noted in the blog post…” 24 May 2025

Maynard Paton: “Well, this is a consultancy and shareholders are arguably left with whatever the partner consultants have not demanded for themselves…” 23 May 2025