The latest Investing Matters Podcast episode featuring Jeremy Skillington, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma has just been released. Listen here.
Hardup
"Margaret Thatcher put that myth to bed!"
Scargill was proved right, although it took 30 years before the information was released.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25549596
Thatcher was an abomination, just the mention of her turns my stomach.
"say Lloyds bought back an entire half of their own shares. The dividend should double instantly. BUT it is the board who 'decide' the portion the shareholders 'get'"
I dont understand your logic. Imagine if the BoD decide they want to maintain tor progress he same rate of dividend, say 5.5%-6% per annum, after having somehow bought back 30B shares. The only way the dividend would stay the same is if the SP failed to rise at all . That would mean its market cap had halved. I cannot see how that would happen, buybacks are only made when trading is profitable. Yes, it is the BoDs job to decide what to do with profits. Shareholders can alway sell if they do not agree with the BoD's decisions. As for bias, my view is a fairly rational one and I have already explained what it is based on. It's just different to what you see. Why do you still hold shares in Lloyds if you have no confidence in their Board of Directors?
Like I said Brixton, some prefer it all as income. But they would have to also live with 75B plus shares in circulation. I think the BoD will have the same level of incompetence, buybacks or not? Apart from the fact the SP isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it isn't all bad news is it? A 5.5% annual payout in cash is still better than many FTSE100 alternatives.
'distaste with the 'image' that buybacks are fool-proof'
No-one's saying their foolproof, or a panacea for all ills. There is a point of view that says its a good use of excess profits while the share price is lower than net asset value. There is also a stock specific case for LLOY buybacks, in order to counter the annual increases in shares in circulation which would otherwise dilute the share price further. Many other investors here would prefer all profits to be paid out in income. I am happy with a growing dividend and buybacks. I see buybacks as the only way out from this staying a penny share forever.
Chips, thanks for reply, good to know you have family experience of migration.
"Politician are there to serve themselves". Yes, I think that's the best possible summary you could make in six words. The system needs to change or it will just produce the same results over and over again. My worry is it will become more extreme right, akin to 1930's Europe. I dont know if this board is representative of Uk opinion, but if it is we are doomed to a "GB news led future". Some here would apparently let migrants drown in the Channel, because seeing them as the "problem" is far more convenient than looking closer to home. That is the reason I recently posted that I would like to be close enough to be sick over Chid. I don't actually get a kick out of it. I just dont know how else to respond to his fascism, except tell the truth about how I feel.
Chips
"get people in charge who have some common sense"
Great idea. Do you see anyone you would vote for? If Rwanda is a bad joke, what would you do instead? Do you think controlled migration is possible in an out of control world? Here are some ideas https://rosanjose.iom.int/en/blogs/how-solve-migration-practical-guide What do you think of them?
You are an evolved soul, so I'm quite sure you have the ability to feel empathy and compassion without the collapse of your own personal boundaries.
Card
Id like to see more people post lloyds trades as they make them
funnily enough its part of why i joined an LBG chat forum. Although I dont personally want any more LLOY shares I am still interested in whether others buy sell or hold, though less so about short term trading
"with Lloyds holding a share, where inflation has eroded much of it's value"
what does this impact on lloys any more than anything else?
"So, I see it differently, and am correct."
I dont think lloyds has performed that well since I first bought in, but I think they are in a better place now as a business. I am not very sure what it is that you are saying you are correct about chid?
Nom
"At an inexpensive share price, removing shares in issue is often a good use of capital, and that’s exactly what Lloyds is doing. A £750m share buyback is underway, taking around 7% of shares out of circulation."
What's this man on about?
"not a wise move by the banks, the media would crucify the sector"
Agreed, though profits generating buybacks will also attract criticism. A planned strategy of reducing the share count is an opportunity to counter that criticism by reminding government of the hbos legacy.
"a special div is pointless'
A bit insensitive to the many older investors who rely on this for income. I meant I would favour a slower increase to a recurring dividend, than a one off special that leads to a stagnant (or falling) year on year payment.