My confidence in Laird Group has been reinforced by a recent meeting that I had with the company.

Laird is still, to an extent, a company in change and does have a fair dependence, it is true, on Apple.  As a result the successful launch of its latest iphone, well received, should be a useful boost.

In the meantime, Laird is actively developing its manufacturing operations in the Far East, notably in Vietnam, which offers considerable potential for manufacturing economies of scale.

The chief executive and finance director both demonstrated excellent command of their brief.

Laird provides electro-magnetic isolation equipment and graphics processing units used extensively in mobile phones largely as the cradle to which the batteries and the like are installed.  In addition, the company manufactures the distinct “shark fin” car aerials where it has a significant stake in the global market.

There have been concerns over Laird’s apparent over-dependence on Apple but these are beginning to fade and the recent weakness in the share price, caused in part by the strength in sterling, has helped to push Laird’s share price down to what I believe is an attractive buying level.  The recent 3^rd Quarter update was pretty positive, revenue usefully ahead and was accompanied by a petty upbeat statement.

Bryan Johnston is a director at Brewin Dolphin in Edinburgh

Please note:

The value of investments can fall and you may get back less than you invested. No investment is suitable in all cases and if you have any doubts as to an investment’s suitability then you should contact Brewin Dolphin. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Any tax allowances or thresholds mentioned are based on personal circumstances and current legislation which is subject to change. If you invest in currencies other than your own, fluctuations in currency value will mean that the value of your investment will move independently of the underlying asset. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily the views held throughout Brewin Dolphin Ltd. No director, representative or employee of Brewin Dolphin Ltd accepts liability for any direct or consequential loss arising from the use of this document or its contents.  The information contained in this presentation has been taken from public sources and is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.