The window and door industry and the stock market isn’t always a link people associate with. However, there are quite a few massive companies that are traded on stock markets here, in France and around the world. The other day I decided to explore Bloomberg and see how many of our industry’s companies are listed, and more important, how well they have done over the past 12 months. For most it was good news.
All good, barring one exception
I found six of perhaps the most well known companies with a presence in the UK, these were Saint-Gobain, Eurocell, The Epwin Group, SafeStyle UK, Pilkington and Deceuninck. There are a few others, but these are probably the most well known to all of us that are traded on the stock markets. Here is how each one has performed in the past year:
The Epwin Group
Epwin Group shares have performed strongly since February after taking a dip. They peaked mid-August, but have since retreated a little. Perhaps a further sign that the glass and glazing sector is cooling down just a little.
SafeStyle UK
Most aren’t fond of them, but you can’t argue with this graph. In a very similar way to the Epwin Group, shares have performed strongly since February, peaking in August, then falling back a little afterwards. Still way up from the start of the year though. Results that justify their decision to enter the markets.
Eurocell
Share information doesn’t go back a full 12 months as Eurocell are fairly new to the stock market. However, they have performed fairly strongly since doing so. Not a sky rocket rise, but then again, such a rapid rise can bring similarly rapid falls. So a good start for Eurocell.
Saint-Gobain
Following a very similar pattern to other traded companies this year, Saint-Gobain shares rose strongly from the start of the year, falling back towards the back end. The more graphs like this you see, the bigger the hint becomes that the energy in the glazing sector recovery might be starting to wane.
Deceuninck
Deceuninck shares have followed a slightly different pattern to the norm this year. A fairly flat 2015, up until mid-July where shares took off on a rapid rise, with shares at the end of last week near their all-time highs for the year. Deceuninck bucking the trend?
There is one rather large fly in the ointment however…
Pilkington
Chart credit: Bloomberg Business
Everyone knows that the past few years have been tough for Pilkington. Yearly accounts have not made for good reading. This share graph encapsulates their performance. From a peak in late May, to a very steel decline, with a couple of very sharp drops along the way. Surely a concerning time for Pilkington bosses over in Japan.
Generally though, these charts should make for good reading for the industry. If our biggest companies are doing well, then that positive sentiment should filter down to the rest. However, it is worth taking note of the retreats in the various share prices at the back end of the year. There are hints and whispers around the sector if you listen closely that things are perhaps not as busy or positive as people may honestly tell you.
It’s worth watching how these companies and others start 2016. Maybe they will give a hint towards how the industry is going to perform.
Some good detective work DGB.
Whilst the vast majority of the sharp-end U.K. Glass and glazing is it private ownership, one can be forgiven for thinking so what to this piece. The reality is that most of the companies you list are the engine room of our industry, if they are driving on, so too is the wider industry.
There is always a significant halo effect in the market from the success of our National retailers and volume product producers, so let’s see these share prices kicking on again, it will signal good news for everyone.
Somehow, that so looks like Karma in action for Pilkington.
A company of their size that seems to rely on a very dodgy looking WER scheme in order to sell out dated glass products to the UK window market is truly staggering and shows the depths they have sunk to, especially when it might even prove to be the strategy they embarked on.
They even had the front last year, to appeal the 357Million Euro fine that they got for corrupt trading from 1998 -2003.
Remind me , when was the BFRC window energy rating established ?
That share price is just Pilks Germany though, and not a reflection of Pilks as we know it in the glass trade, which was swallowed up by NSG some years ago. I think that’s maybe one of the many joint fingers in pies operations. Had it still stood alone, the performance of Pilks uk flat wouldn’t have been pretty since 2008 if you ask me.