Member Info for 1.ARMANI

The Dow Jones finished 0.5% higher after added more than 160 on Friday, the S&P 500 edged up 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 closed 0.6% in the negative territory. Investors digested the most recent economic data and comments from Federal Reserve speakers after hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve officials that brought down the hope of a pause in rate hikes. Meantime, the University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment rose in February but still, it showed short-term inflation expectations have risen. On the corporate front, Lyft plunged 36% as its earnings result missed expectations, and following the announcement of price cuts. Expedia shares fell 8.5% after a disappointing quarterly report. For the week, the Dow was up 0.2%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.6% and Nasdaq 100 fell almost 1.8% and booked the worst week since December.

gla

1st SELL was set many weeks ago @ 55p and I've lowered the amount of Sell shares. Also moved to 55.30p.
The one-year TA is showing Resistance of 57.10p and 2nd Resistance of 60.40p. I think the results will be out before either R1 or R2 is triggered.
Always good to bag some profits on the way up....who knows whats around the corner with MSM.

gla

"Where's Falky hiding" he's still hitchhiking back from the world cup....something to do with closing a short!

I've accumulated more shares on the dips. Swings, and roundabouts with my timing.
BUY ADD as I believe 2000p + in the second half of 2024.

Just in my opinion...gla

House prices are starting to reflect the shift in demand in the market, according to surveyors.

Agreed sales, house prices and new instructions to sell homes remained on a downward trend in January, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

Property professionals' expectations suggest this picture is likely to remain in place for a while longer as the market adjusts to higher interest rates, Rics' report added.

A net balance of 47% of surveyors reported seeing a fall rather than an increase in new buyer inquiries, deteriorating from a balance of 40% who saw this the previous month.

January marked the ninth negative monthly reading in a row for new buyer inquiries.

Overall, those surveyed in all parts of the UK saw either a fall in demand or a stagnant trend over the latest survey period, Rics said.

A net balance of 14% of survey contributors also reported a decline in fresh properties coming on the market over January.

Looking at the year ahead, a net balance of 20% expect to see house sales fall rather than rise, marking an improvement compared with a balance of 42% expecting sales to fall in the next 12 months in December.

The latest feedback also pointed to house prices continuing to decline, with a balance of 47% of surveyors observing price falls and particularly sharp declines seen in the East Midlands and the South East.

And in signs of upward pressure on rental prices, tenant demand continued to increase, according to a net balance of 43% of survey contributors.

At the same time, landlord instructions continued to fall, Rics said.

Simon Rubinsohn, the chief economist at Rics, said: "Although some respondents to the January Rics survey have noted a little more interest in the housing market as the new year got underway, the overall tone of the feedback still remains subdued, which is not altogether surprising given the jump in mortgage rates since the autumn.

"Prices, meanwhile, are now beginning to reflect the shift in the balance between demand and supply.

gla

Housebuilder Barratt Developments reported strong growth in its half-year ended December 31, with revenue rising 24% year-on-year to GBP2.78 billion from GBP2.25 billion. Pretax profit rose 16% to GBP501.5 million from GBP432.6 million, despite operating margin narrowing to 17.8% from 19.3%. Total home completions rose 6.9% to 8,626. Barratt said the strong half-year was due to its "significant" forward order book at the end of June. However, it has seen lower reservation rates for future sales in the new financial year, particular in the second quarter. "Whilst we have seen some early signs of improvement in current trading during January, we will need to see continued momentum over the coming months before we can be confident that these challenging trading conditions are easing," Barratt said. The housebuilder scaled back payouts in line with its planned reduction in dividend cover, with the interim dividend falling 10.2 pence, a 8.9% decrease from 11.2p a year before. Barratt expects to complete 16,500 to 17,000 homes in all of financial 2023.

FTSE +0.53%
https://www.investing.com/indices/indices-futures

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to rise at the open on Wednesday following a positive close on Wall Street, as investors digest the latest comments from US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

The FTSE 100 was called to open 40 points higher at 7,904.

CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "European markets underwent a mixed session yesterday constrained somewhat by uncertainty ahead of scheduled comments from Fed chairman Jay Powell, where he was expected to strike a slightly different and more hawkish tone in the wake of Friday's bumper US jobs report.

"Despite the uncertainty, the comments were a bit of a damp squib, with Powell reiterating his comments about disinflationary trends being seen, while also insisting that the Fed still has some way to go to get inflation back to target, and that it could take until next year to do so.

"In short Powell's comments were only slightly more hawkish than his press conference remarks, however, US markets didn't seem to care that much, finishing the day strongly higher even as bond yields remained steady at their recent highs.

"This resilience in the US looks set to translate into a positive European open later this morning."

Should be nearer 600p......however, there's strong resistance @ 501.80p

Apologies.... Geordie* accent
ATB

I phoned UK pensions on Monday morning on an overseas number.
We are extremely busy please hold or call back later...30 minutes later I spoke to an accommodating lady regarding any shortfall in NI contributions. She gave me another number which I called and again I'm in another queue for 35 minutes (freephone)

Eventually, I spoke to the correct department for a pension statement ( it's in the post yesterday)
Yes, one can go online but didn't work for me!
I then was given the HMRC number and ....IF YOU SPEAK ENGLISH, Press 1....doh it's the UK!
If you speak Lon don stanely press 2.
I thought I'd called all/the stans or another.

For the record when I eventually spoke to Government staff...they were extremely polite and helpful and all had a Jordie accent :)

gla

Bernstein raises Diageo to 'outperform' (market perform) - 4,200 (4,030) pence

RNS Number : 9049O
Diageo PLC
06 February 2023



Launch of partial tender offer for shares in East African Breweries PLC

6 February 2023, London - Today, following the announcement made on 14 October 2022, Diageo, through its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Diageo Kenya Limited ("Diageo Kenya"), announces that it has launched a partial tender offer to increase its aggregate equity stake in East African Breweries PLC ("EABL") from its current 50.03% to a maximum of 65%.

The tender offer price is Kenyan Shillings 192.00 per ordinary share and the maximum number of shares subject to the tender offer is 118,394,897. The tender offer period will run from 6 February 2023 to 17 March 2023. Further details are set out in the tender offer documents, which are available to shareholders of EABL on http://www.diageokenya-eabloffer.com.

UBS raises Greggs price target to 3200 (3000) pence - 'buy'

Buy Backs north of 2400p........ doesn't get my vote.
We all know this increases EPS....and if the PE drops, then very little price increases.
Could you give me the DIVIDEND? the share price by default will increase over the next decade, assuming all things are equal with no more black swan events OR retain the profits for a black swan event and then do BuyBacks sub 900p.

Just my thoughts....gla

Ftse 100 futures to open + 35 points at the moment.

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates for the 10th time in a row later, but analysts predict it is nearing the peak.

The benchmark rate is widely expected to go up from 3.5% to 4%, after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

The rate is already at its highest level for 14 years.

The impact of a rate rise would be felt by borrowers - through higher mortgage and loan costs - and in better returns for savers across the UK.

At its December meeting, the Bank rate was increased from 3% to 3.5% - the latest in a series of increases since December 2021.

Analysts believe the rate will peak at 4.5% in the summer.
gla

https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/natural-gas

Check out 1999

Yes, encouraging close last night.
TA showing 1st resistance 2860p & 2nd resistance 3192p for today 31/1/23 (changes over 20,50,100 day moving averages)
Currency/Energy is key to Greegs margins and US gas price closed at September 1999 lows!!!
Wheat, meats, and ingredients are mostly ALL bought in USD futures...worthy keeping an eye on GBP/USD.
gla
When inflation eventually softens ....happy days :)

"UK national debt interest is based upon coupons paid on treasury notes/bonds rather than what the UK base rate happens to be"

Indeed!

US natural gas prices are down more than 70 PC since their 14-year high $10/MMBtu hit in August.
Futures markets opened with a further 5.3% decline.
Gas is now trading @ September 1999 & has been since August 2022!!

Brent Crude trading at October 2007, Oct 2010, and November 2014....add in inflation overheads.

BoE 0.25pc or higher?
Personally, I would like to see a 5.5pc base.........sadly it won't happen as the UK couldn't service the interest.
I will be thrilled if Lloyds trades the 55-63p area in 2023.
gla