Aston Martin gears up to float on the London Stock Exchange

Aston Martin has revealed plans to float on the London Stock Exchange, as its latest results were announced.

Ending months of speculation and confirming earlier reports, the luxury British car maker said it is ‘announcing its potential intention to undertake an initial public offering’.

The car firm, which often sees its vehicles feature in the James Bond films, will float over 25 per cent of its shares and could end up on the FTSE 100 index if its valuation is sufficient.

Aston Martin could be valued at around £5billion once it goes public, according to reports.  

Andy Palmer, who has been Aston Martin’s chief executive since 2014, said: ‘Today’s announcement represents a key milestone in the history of the company, which is reporting strong financial results and increased global demand for its award-winning sports cars.’

Laith Khalaf, a senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ‘There are few people who wouldn’t want an Aston Martin on their drive, and even fewer who can afford one.

‘However, this stock market float allows investors to buy into a little of the glamour of Aston Martin, without getting a second mortgage.

‘It’s important for potential investors to concentrate on the company’s financial prospects and not to get carried away by the brand, however, and that means having a thorough read of the forthcoming prospectus.

‘Aston Martin could be valued at between £4 to £5 billion, which would put it at the top end of the FTSE 250 ahead of companies like Travis Perkins and William Hill, and nipping at the heels of FTSE 100 stalwarts like M&S and Royal Mail.’

The group confirmed its plans to float on the LSE alongside its financial results.

Pre-tax profits edged up from £20.3million to £20.8million in the six months to 30 June, while on an underlying basis, adjusted earnings grew by 14 per cent to £106million. 

Revenues increased by 8 per cent from £410.3million to £444.9million. 

The ‘core average’ price Aston Martin sold its cars at in the first half was £146,000, marking a 2 per cent dip from the same point a year earlier. The group said the dip was ‘driven by the mix change towards V8 models.’

Including special models, however, average selling prices increased by 8 per cent to £167,000.   

Aston Martin said its sales performance had been driven by its consulting business and increased revenue from sales of its special edition vehicles, including the Vanquish Zagato family and DB4 GT Continuation models. 

Wholesale volumes fell from 2,439 in the first half of 2017 to 2,299 units in the first six months of this year. The group said this was due to new models hitting the production line.

Aston Martin confirmed it started producing models including the DB11 Volante, DB11 AMR and Vantage in recent months, with volumes ramping up in the second quarter to 1,336 from 963 in the first three months of the year.

Aston Martin was founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in London in 1913, and is currently headquartered in Gaydon.

The company also has a site in Wellesbourne, where it produces its special edition models, as well as one in Newport Pagnell, where its heritage models are manufactured.

Confident of its enduring appeal, on its website, Aston Martin says: ‘From our humble origins to today, on road and track the irresistible draw of an Aston Martin endures. 

‘People all over the world seek our beautifully designed cars; cars that have always been synonymous with high performance, bespoke craftsmanship, technological innovation and timeless style’