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The month of June was busy because of a backlog, shoppers bought in "emergency mode" We have gone from Spring to Autunn, leaving out the summer. This will "catch up " witb the retail sector.
Govt. have just announced that the Uk's retails number figs have now bounced back up to pre-pandemic levels -which surely will help us going forward.
I feel it would be good soon to have a positive announcement from the Marstons board as to how things are now going.
It also appears as if the Govt. is monitoring the Travel corridor on a weekly basis and I see more and more people deciding to stay in the Uk this year which should help us here too with stays in the Marstons Hotels/Travel lodges, etc. Why not!!
I hope this doesn't carry on in the JV - pesky Bezos
With Rishis scheme about to kick of soon hopefully that will encourage people to return back pubs/restaurants and give the sector abit of cash in the till!
A CMA clearance will propel us here but meanwhile the main market is in bearish mode, so be careful while the US/China spat and Covid are lurking.
When the hell with this stop falling? Could it go below30p?
This is nothing to do with the JV but a Marstons inititative.
Just seen Amazon are now promoting and selling Marstons beers - Box's of all of the classics ales are available in a mixed box, No doubt this will help sales. Good news and already the marketing machine is working well with the new venture.
@barchid
Camra is one of this country's most successful consumer groups. I think it fair to say it saved the real ale market from extinction decades ago when the likes of Watney's posed a real threat. I was a member... I do not drink lager. This was half a century ago and I believe real ale is, happily, here to stay.
I have read their press releases in relation to the JV. They do not object to the JV per se but they do want the CMA to become involved, presumably to ensure that consumer choice is safeguarded. You may say 'well, they would, wouldn't they'. Yes, it's their job to defend consumer choice, so there should be no surprise that Camra has become involved.
Camra says the JV could, yes, 'COULD reduce the choice of beers available to pubgoers'. But it offers no evidence of such a risk. Their position is clear to me: they believe that a global name doers not sit well with small brewers. However the real ale market is well established now and I do not think there is a risk that small brewers will be put at risk by this JV. It is my understanding that Camra wants choice to be safeguarded... they do not want the CMA to block the JV.
https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-urges-cma-to-investigate-joint-venture-beer-company-between-carlsberg-and-marstons/
barchid,
Uncertainty never goes down well in the Market, Lord knows we have enough of it without the intervention of CMA.
As for beers available in Pubs, read the Pub Code which enables Landlords to select Guest Beers. It is not a particularly robust piece of legislation .
@Rayg
I have no idea what Camra's case is, why not ask them, that would be better than working on guesswork. Are you a member? If not join then ask.
@Trent700 pointed out that they have form in this and have yet to succeed, he is undoubtedly correct, but my point is that this creates uncertainty, nothing more, nothing less.
How does this deal affect the choice of beers in a Marston's pub? Can someone explain? It gives Carlsberg an outlet for its lagers etc., but does not lessen the choice for real ale drinkers... or am I missing something? MARS is confident that the deal will go through. What is Camra's case?
@fairdealer
I think it would be fair to factor in some caution, one thing the markets hate is uncertainty, if they do get tied up in the shenanigans of an extended, or even a leisurely, competition approval process Carlsberg could easily twist RF's arm up behind his back. Not saying it would happen but wise to bear it in mind all the same eh ?
Unlike Whitbread, Marston's don't have a huge War_Chest. It would be a different situation if it were otherwise.
As this type of company goes MARS has at least had an income stream from off site sales unlike JDW for example. So it does make it easier than some for MARS to weather the covid storm.
the additional facility of £70m agreed in May is for 180 days. We do not know what the start date is but assume the BOD expected funds from Carlsberg to fill the gap.
Do you, Barchid sense choppy waters ahead?
@Fairdealer
Indeed, there was also that rather disturbing piece in the rns "are satisfied that the group has sufficient liquidity", given a possible delay if Camra gain traction, which they probably will not ,but it is not impossible either, liquidity could be rather stretched if takings are lower than hoped for.
any uncertainties will affect the market.
Even though the JV seemed a good move ( in some ways) CAMRA have different views.
It is only my view but do wonder if CAMRA want the Pub Code to be followed as many 100's of independant Brewers, Craft included have at present access to Pubs.
Do you think that is why shares are down over 4% again today?
Completion of the deal been put back to 4th quarter.
Yes probably a good idea to do some research and calculations, I've only a few £k invested here to keep me interested in something whilst work is low. All the best to you all.
Aero
Aero don't be fooled by all the positive headlines. As already stated many times and again now, restitution of profits distribution is a very long way off.
The Company has to re-build it's Balance sheet, be confident Debt reduction can be maintained, see how the JV works (in a Positive way). All of this against the background events and damage done by COVID, which are not yet known. The Board will be wise to act with caution and not pay a Dividend, as was happening 2/3 years ago , where debt reduction should have a higher priority.
Aero you would do well to fully research the company's corporate history. That would be an invaluable exercise.
Guess so, I was wondering what is needed for this SP to rise.
Maybe when the Carlsberg deal goes through then.
Aero
Given the cash burn they’re going through prudence is the way to go. Any company reinstating a dividend through a pandemic would raise alarm bells to me.
@Aero
Without wishing to be too negative I would think now they have been cut there is no hurry to reinstate, and when I say reinstate I do not mean paying the same generous divi they did before but any divi.
So my guess is nothing for a couple of years and then a modest payment, but this is based purely on gut feeling, hopefully we will be given some guidance on this by the board when things look a little clearer in a few months time ?