Member Info for 1.ARMANI

(Sharecast News) - UK high street baker Greggs reported a 2% rise in annual profits, as inflation and higher costs hit the bottom line and said like-for-like sales in company-managed shops up was up 18.8% in the first nine weeks of 2023, in line with expectations.

The company, famed for its sausage rolls, said pre-tax profits for 2022 rose to £148.3m from £145.6m as total sales increased 23% to £1.5bn.

"Cost inflation will continue to be a challenge in the year ahead, driven particularly by pay awards and energy costs, but we are confident that our outstanding value proposition will remain compelling as customers look to make their money go further. As such, we remain confident in the prospects for the business in 2023," said chief executive Roisin Currie.

Greggs expects overall input cost inflation in 2023 to be 9-10% and said uncertainty over commodity prices remains "but we have been able to secure forward cover for all of our electricity requirements through to the end of the third quarter of the year and expect to extend this further when opportunities present themselves".

"We also have forward purchase agreements representing between four and five months of our food and packaging needs," the company added.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com

Tue, 7th Mar 2023 07:00

RNS Number : 0680S
Greggs PLC
07 March 2023
Dividend

· Pre-tax profit up 1.9% to £148.3 million (2021: £145.6 million)

· Robust cash position of £191.6 million supporting plans for future investment in growth

· Diluted earnings per share 117.5p (2021: 114.3p)



At the time of the interim results in August 2022 the Board declared an interim ordinary dividend of 15.0 pence per share (2021: 15.0 pence). In line with our progressive ordinary dividend policy and our target for the ordinary dividend to be twice covered by earnings, the Board intends to recommend at the AGM a final dividend of 44.0 pence per share (2021: 42.0 pence), giving a total ordinary dividend for the year of 59.0 pence (2021: 57.0 pence).

gla

LONDON, March 7 (Reuters) - BP hasn't fallen out of love with renewables. It just wants to have more power.

When BP paid $1.1 billion for its 50% stake in the venture to enter offshore wind in 2020, it was more reliant on the know-how of Equinor, which had over a decade of experience and specialism in the sector.

Over the past two years, though, BP has brought in hundreds of staff from renewables firms. It has also broken from its tradition of developing leaders internally and hired senior executives such as Dotzenrath, a former CEO of Germany's RWE Renewables, and an offshore wind chief from Danish giant Orsted.

The UK major surprised many investors and analysts in December when it decided not to join Equinor in bidding on a floating wind project off California. Floating offshore wind is a nascent technology that remains significantly more expensive than turbines fixed to the seabed.

"This was a portfolio decision," Dotzenrath said. "The North Sea is much more important to us and our integration story than California. I think that's the brutal reality at the moment."

https://www.lse.co.uk/news/inside-bps-plan-to-reset-renewables-as-oil-and-gas-boom-u1t0p5psuymrig5.html

gla

seany123, the algorithms change weekly.......ATB

https://stockinvest.us/stock/LLOY.L

The Lloyds Banking Group plc stock price gained 0.88% on the last trading day (Close of Friday, 3rd Mar 2023), rising from 51.34p to 51.79p. During the last trading day, the stock fluctuated 1.07% from a day low at 51.24p to a day high of 51.79p. The price has risen in 6 of the last 10 days and is up by 1.73% over the past 2 weeks. Volume fell on the last day by -90 million shares; in total, 85 million shares were bought and sold for approximately £4.38 billion.

Given the current short-term trend, the stock is expected to rise 18.33% during the next 3 months and, with a 90% probability hold a price between 60.92p and 66.57p at the end of this 3-month period.

DYOR ...only the messenger from a group of analysts...needs to break out from 53.97p

gla

Powell unlikely to back hawkish Fed bets as debate on economic landing rages on.

We have moved our call for the first rate cut from December 2023 out to March 2024.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell is set for Capitol Hill on Tuesday, but the Fed chief isn’t likely to endorse the market's hawkish rate-hike forecast as the outlook on whether the economic reacceleration seen since the turn of the year has staying power or is transitory remains murky at best, experts say.

gla

1. 2022 Final ordinary dividend of 4.78 pence per share, subject to shareholder approval and 2022 Interim dividend of 4.62 pence per share.

4.78p :)

China Manufacturing ReboundsChina Manufacturing PMI
The Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI increased to 51.6 in February 2023 from 49.2 in January, above market consensus of 50.2. This was the first increase in factory activity since last July, and the highest reading in 8 months, after a shift in COVID policy. Output grew for the first time in 6 months, with the rate of expansion the steepest since June 2022. New orders expanded for the first time in 7 months, and at the fastest pace since May 2021, and new export orders rose for the first time in 7 months. Employment climbed for the first time in 11 months, while backlogs of work increased at the quickest rate in 16 months. Meanwhile, buying levels rose for the first time in 4 months, and at the fastest pace since June 2021. Delivery times improved and to the greatest extent in 8 years. On inflation, both input and output cost inflation accelerated. Finally, sentiment improved to a 23-month high, amid expectations of a sustained recovery in customer demand.

Oil Rises on Solid Chinese Economic DataCommodity
WTI crude futures strengthened above $77 per barrel on Wednesday, rising for the second straight session as investors digested robust manufacturing and services activity data in China, boosting the demand outlook in the world’s largest crude importer. On the supply side, Russia recently revealed its plans to cut oil exports from its western ports by up to 25% in March, exceeding its announced output curbs of 500,000 barrels per day. Still, the US oil benchmark declined for the fourth straight month in February, losing more than 2% on fears that further monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve could tip the US economy into recession. Rising US crude inventories and global oil supply also weighed on prices, with OPEC likely pumping more oil in February compared to January.

The man from Del Monte says.........NO MORE 'Pipa Peaches'

A recent survey of 15 analysts shows INCREASE THE MEDS!

From the FT........ click, and it will open as a none member!
https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/forecasts?s=PSN:LSE

2023 consensus from 15 Analysts EPS 126.85p
High 204.30p
Low 98.4p

12-month price target
HIGH 1600p
MED 1380p
LOW 1180p

If interest rates and inflation come down in Autumn 2023 then it's going to be more positive.
I hope it helps.

gla

Lets say 2024 forward EPS 8p x PE 9 = 72p
More than possible.....however rollercoaster election year

The programme will commence on 23 February 2023 and will end no later than 29 December 2023. The sole purpose of the programme is to reduce the ordinary share capital of the Company.

gla

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP COMMENCES SHARE

BUYBACK PROGRAMME



Lloyds Banking Group plc (the "Company") is today launching a share buyback programme to repurchase up to £2 billion of ordinary shares. The Company previously announced its intention to commence the programme on 22 February 2023.

The Company has entered into an agreement with UBS AG, London Branch (the "Broker") to conduct the share buyback programme on its behalf and to make trading decisions under the programme independently of the Company. Under the terms of the programme, the maximum consideration is £2 billion. The programme will commence on 23 February 2023 and will end no later than 29 December 2023. The sole purpose of the programme is to reduce the ordinary share capital of the Company.

The Broker will purchase the Company's ordinary shares as principal and sell them on to the Company in accordance with the terms of their engagement. The Company intends to cancel the shares it purchases through the programme.

Any purchases of ordinary shares by the Company in relation to this announcement will be made in accordance with certain pre-set parameters set out in the terms of the Broker's engagement, the general authority of the Company to repurchase shares granted by shareholders at the Company's annual general meeting held on 12 May 2022 (which permits the Company to purchase no more than 7,047,917,092 of the Company's ordinary shares), the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014), the Commission Delegated Regulation (2016/1052), in each case as such legislation forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018), and Chapter 12 of the Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules. The buyback is subject to the continuing approval of the Prudential Regulatory Authority.

For the avoidance of doubt, no repurchases will be made in the United States or in respect of the Company's American Depositary Receipts.

- END -

Morning all,
My research suggests:
2023 forward EPS 117.31p & dividend 75p ish

DYOR.......not an experienced holder, drip/buying the dips.
gla

WTI crude futures traded near $74 on Thursday after losing more than 3% in the previous session, remaining under pressure as minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting showed that policymakers largely agreed to keep raising interest rates to bring inflation back down within target. Tightening financial conditions heighten the risk of a demand-sapping global recession. Industry data also showed that US crude inventories jumped by 9.9 million barrels last week, far exceeding expectations for a 1.2 barrel increase. Keeping a floor under prices were expectations of tighter global supplies and increasing demand from China. Russia recently announced plans to cut output by 500,000 barrels a day in March or about 5% of total production, in retaliation to western sanctions. On top of that, market participants expect China’s oil imports to hit a record high in 2023 amid rising demand for transportation fuel and as new refineries come online

Oil Pressured by Hawkish Fed ViewCommodity
WTI crude futures traded near $74 on Thursday after losing more than 3% in the previous session, remaining under pressure as minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting showed that policymakers largely agreed to keep raising interest rates to bring inflation back down within target. Tightening financial conditions heighten the risk of a demand-sapping global recession. Industry data also showed that US crude inventories jumped by 9.9 million barrels last week, far exceeding expectations for a 1.2 barrel increase. Keeping a floor under prices were expectations of tighter global supplies and increasing demand from China. Russia recently announced plans to cut output by 500,000 barrels a day in March or about 5% of total production, in retaliation to western sanctions. On top of that, market participants expect China’s oil imports to hit a record high in 2023 amid rising demand for transportation fuel and as new refineries come online

gla

Hi G13B, hope you're keeping well!

"European gas prices have plunged by 35pc since the start of the year."

US natural gas futures, 45% since the start of the year and an 80% retracement since the August high....... LNG trading @ March 1999 lows.

US natural gas futures rebounded by 8% to above $2.2/MMBtu, having fallen to as low as $1.968 earlier in the day, the weakest level since September 2020. Investors continued monitoring demand and weather forecasts, with recent projections pointing to colder-than-expected temperatures. Meanwhile, federal regulators approved the partial restart of Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas, including two liquefaction trains, two tanks, and one loop and dock each. Freeport LNG, when operating at full power, can turn about 2.1 bcfd of gas into LNG for export. Natural gas prices have declined more than 45% since the beginning of the year and are now over 80% down from their August peak of $10, as warmer winter kept heating demand subdued and stockpiles well above average.

Summary
Forecast
Stats
Alerts
Export
US natural gas futures rebounded by 8% to above $2.2/MMBtu, having fallen to as low as $1.968 earlier in the day, the weakest level since September 2020. Investors continued monitoring demand and weather forecasts, with recent projections pointing to colder-than-expected temperatures. Meanwhile, federal regulators approved the partial restart of Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas, including two liquefaction trains, two tanks, and one loop and dock each. Freeport LNG, when operating at full power, can turn about 2.1 bcfd of gas into LNG for export. Natural gas prices have declined more than 45% since the beginning of the year and are now over 80% down from their August peak of $10, as warmer winter kept heating demand subdued and stockpiles well above average.

The BoE ..........their predictions aren't credible, however, the markets craft statements to close short/long positions and investments of ordinary shares in companies such as Lloyds.

ATB

1st BUY order reset 49.10p
2nd BUY order reset 48.10p

All SELL canceled from 44.20p, 55.30p 57.10p
Cant trade/win every day!
Bank the dividends :)

gla

"It could and likely will get worse (the bb chat) if, or likely when Cathsoames, Jayfax ,Crowcast, Epro, and several other usernames this disruptive, vile, overly PC poster, ruined this bb with."

Chid, I've already pledged 100 pounds to the year-end comp IF the shill /she stays away by year-end.