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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Form 8.3 - H&T Group plc GB GB00B12RQD06
FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the 'Code') 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: OCTOPUS INVESTMENTS LTD (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree H&T Group plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 04/06/2025 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state 'N/A' N/A 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: Ordinary 5p (GB00B12RQD06) Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 3,416,254 7.77 (2) Cash-settled derivatives: (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 3,416,254 7.77 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit Ordinary 5p Ordinary 5p Sale Sale 272 9,740 6.3501 6.35667 (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state 'none' None (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state 'none' None (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NODate of disclosure: 05/06/2025 Contact name: Holly Keyworth Telephone number/email: Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
SMALL CAP MOVERS: H&T becomes latest bargain basement takeover victim
H&T Group is calling time on its 19-year tenure as a fixture on London's AIM market after agreeing a £297million takeover by United States-listed FirstCash. The deal marks the latest in a growing list of UK small and mid-cap companies being acquired at bargain-basement valuations. Shares in the UK's largest pawnbroking chain rose 42 per cent over the week after the 661p-per-share offer was announced on Wednesday. The proposal includes a 650p cash payment and a final dividend of 11p due in June. The price represents a 44 per cent premium to H&T's close before the deal. The move underscores a broader trend of overseas buyers targeting undervalued UK assets, particularly outside the FTSE 100, where valuations remain well below historical averages. Founded in 1897, H&T has become a familiar name on British high streets, offering short-term loans secured against jewellery and watches. The board said it had received several proposals since December before entering formal talks. While it expressed confidence in the company's standalone prospects, it cited uncertain gold prices, rising costs and subdued consumer sentiment as ongoing headwinds. Turning to the wider market, the AIM All-Share added 1.5 per cent this week to reach 733.18, taking it back to levels last seen in December 2024. It kept pace with the FTSE 100, which also clawed back ground lost in the aftermath of US President Trump's tariff assault on the rest of the world. Keeping with the positives, Metals One continued its rise after confirming the acquisition of the Swales gold project in Nevada. There is a term in junior mining called 'nearology', the idea that proximity to a producing mine equates to success. It does not always hold, but Metals One investors will hope favourable geology extends to the Swales property. Just 13 miles up the road lies the Carlin Complex, a joint venture between Barrick Gold and Newmont and the world's largest gold-producing site. Investors appeared excited by the prospect, with shares rising 69 per cent. If you had bought a month ago, you would have more than doubled your money. Belluscura, the portable oxygen tank maker, enjoyed a stellar week with no discernible trigger. It was even forced to issue a statement saying it had no explanation for the sharp rise in the share price. While it reported record April sales, it also launched a strategic review, which is rarely interpreted as a buy signal by investors. The review will consider options including strategic investment, partnerships and alternative funding structures. Belluscura said it was not putting up a for sale sign, but the market seems to have reached a different conclusion. The shares ended the week 52 per cent higher. Polarean Imaging rose 35 per cent after putting the spotlight on its collaboration with Philips. The Dutch group is to broaden use of Polarean's Xenon lung MRI technology to include younger children with chronic obstructive lung disease, subject to regulatory clearance. Its technology was also showcased in more than 30 clinical studies at the American Thoracic Society's annual meeting in San Francisco this month. There are three words no more loathed by oil and gas investors than plugged and abandoned, often shorthand for failure. Empyrean Energy fell 75 per cent after calling time on the Wilson River-1 well in Queensland. The reaction tends to be knee-jerk, so expect sentiment to moderate in the coming days. The news was good for Mirriad Advertising, though the share price, down 35 per cent, told a different story. The group, which places adverts in films and TV shows, raised £1.6million, resolving its immediate funding needs. The decline was a consequence of raising the money by issuing 16 billion new shares at a discount, heavily diluting existing shareholders. Finally, Solvonis Therapeutics raised £2million in rapid-fire funding as part of the quiet but effective transformation under Anthony Tennyson. Formerly an ailing polymers specialist, the group, following its £5million acquisition of Awkn Life Sciences, will become a clinical-stage drug developer focused on post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse. Its chief scientific officer is Professor David Nutt, the former government drugs adviser, who now heads the Centre for Psychedelic Research in the Division of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FirstCash Enters UK Market With $394 Million Acquisition Of H&T Group
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS) is expanding into the U.K. with the acquisition of H&T Group plc, the country's largest pawnbroker chain. The Texas-based pawnshop operator announced on Wednesday it will purchase all outstanding H&T shares through its U.K. subsidiary, Chess Bidco Limited, in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $394 million. The agreement includes a payment of 650 pence per share and a final dividend of 11 pence per share, payable in late June. The acquisition strengthens FirstCash's global footprint, adding 285 U.K. stores to its existing network and positioning the company as the largest publicly traded pawn operator across the U.S., Latin America, and the CEO and Vice-Chairman Rick Wessel said the acquisition aligns with the company's long-term strategy and praised H&T's strong brand and experienced leadership. H&T CEO Chris Gillespie called the deal a testament to the company's success and a new chapter for growth under FirstCash's ownership. Beyond geographic expansion, FirstCash expects to benefit from operational efficiencies and scale. The company anticipates the acquisition will boost earnings per share and EBITDA, supporting its broader international strategy. Upon completion, the combined business will operate more than 3,000 pawn locations worldwide, with the potential for further expansion into additional European markets. FirstCash held cash and cash equivalents of $175.095 million as of December 31, 2024. Price Action: FCFS stock is down 2.14% to $129.91 premarket at last check on Wednesday. Image by – Yuri A via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? FIRSTCASH HLDGS (FCFS): Free Stock Analysis Report This article FirstCash Enters UK Market With $394 Million Acquisition Of H&T Group originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's Why We Think H&T Group (LON:HAT) Is Well Worth Watching
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up. So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like H&T Group (LON:HAT). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. View our latest analysis for H&T Group Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Shareholders will be happy to know that H&T Group's EPS has grown 17% each year, compound, over three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about. Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. EBIT margins for H&T Group remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 15% to UK£235m. That's a real positive. The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of H&T Group's forecast profits? Investors are always searching for a vote of confidence in the companies they hold and insider buying is one of the key indicators for optimism on the market. That's because insider buying often indicates that those closest to the company have confidence that the share price will perform well. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions. Not only did H&T Group insiders refrain from selling stock during the year, but they also spent UK£69k buying it. That paints the company in a nice light, as it signals that its leaders are feeling confident in where the company is heading. Zooming in, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Non-Executive Chairman Simon Walker for UK£39k worth of shares, at about UK£3.87 per share. If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into H&T Group's strong EPS growth. Not only is that growth rate rather juicy, but the insider buying adds fuel to the fire. So on this analysis, H&T Group is probably worth spending some time on. Even so, be aware that H&T Group is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of H&T Group, you'll probably love this curated collection of companies in GB that have an attractive valuation alongside insider buying in the last three months. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
