Card Factory Trading update

Card Factory today delayed their results announcement by just over a week due to KPMG auditors needing more time to complete the audit.  To underline KPMG’s reason for the delay the company also announced a further upgrade to existing guidance.

Having raised PBT guidance circa 10% in November and a further 10% in January, today they increased PBT guidance by a further 8.5% which shows huge momentum imo.

“Notice of Preliminary Results and Strategy Update

Card Factory, the UK's leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, gifts and celebration essentials, today issues an update regarding the timing of the publication of its preliminary results for the 12 months ended 31 January 2023 and its Capital Market Strategy Update.  The Group's auditor, KPMG LLP has requested additional time to complete its standard audit procedures and as a result, the Group will now announce its results on Wednesday 3 May 2023, delayed from the previously announced release date of 25 April 2023. 

The performance in the year ended 31 January 2023 includes revenue of £463.4 million with expected EBITDA of at least £112 million and profit before tax of at least £52 million, both of which are ahead of the expected outturn that was reported in the Company's January 2023 trading update.

The Board are assured by KPMG LLP that the delay is caused by a requirement for additional time to allow them to complete standard audit and completion procedures.

Preliminary results webcast and Capital Market Strategy Update

The analyst presentation for the preliminary results will be held at 10:00 am on 3 May 2023 in central London, which can be viewed via live video webcast with prior registration using the following link.

The results presentation will be followed by a Capital Markets Strategy Update, commencing at 11:30 am on 3 May 2023. The event will be hosted by CEO Darcy Willson-Rymer and will feature a series of short presentations from some of the Card Factory senior management team who will provide a broader update on strategic plans through to FY27.

A live video webcast will be available via the following link. Those analysts who wish to join in person are requested to contact Yasemin Balman of Teneo on the number provided below or by emailing cardfactory@teneo.com.  

Registrations received for attendance in person or via the webcast for the presentations of the results and the strategy update will be valid for the rescheduled events.”

To be honest, the raise in guidance is not a surprise to me, the momentum at CARD appears to be huge, just as I would expect from a company that meets the Zulu criteria tho I have to say this is a staggering raise in guidance for PBT that stood somewhere near £34m in October – circa 60% higher now.

The stock seems to be trading on a PE of 9 or perhaps a lot less going forward while earnings growth is increasing exponentially, a very low PEG imo.  I will update my Card Factory Substack after the results on May 3^rd after watching the company presentations.

This is just my opinion as ever, there is no advice given here or any tipping.  I hold CARD so obviously my views may be biased.  Do your own analysis and research to test my opinions and make your own decisions.

.