Member Info for Fforestgwmp

All in all not a bad day, budget didn't make the sky fall in, Next helped us stay in positive territory, what's next? Will outcome of US election have any effect, other than that it's results day next week, the questions for me is not will they be good but will they be good enough to justify the current SP....and where will they go with divi? Early Christmas present or will I have to apply to be a seasonal helper? 🤔

GLA

Evening both, must admit the increase in minimum wage and NI did make me nervous so I had a shallow dig and found this in results from May. The biggest ever investment in front line colleague pay of £89m was made this year. From 1 April 2024, the rate of pay for c.40,000 UK Customer Assistants increased from £10.90 to £12.00 per hour. To me I take that as £89m for a 10% increase, current shop floor on £12 hrs is only 2% off new minimum wage, I presume they had already factor a 3-4% pay rise this year so an extra few percent, £20m? Shouldn't make a significant impact in profits. Not convinced NI will go up the full 2% as that with winter fuel alone would cover the newly found black hole, so why consider the other changes muted? I'm thinking we're getting a scare so on the day it's not so bad...I hope...fingers crossed as I know nothing! Will know by this time tomorrow and how the market reacts.

Jbs15 read this. https://simplywall.st/stocks/gb/consumer-retailing/lse-mks/marks-and-spencer-group-shares/news/marks-and-spencer-group-plc-lonmks-is-favoured-by-institutions

Can't be many with recommendations below £4.

Recently eveŕy time I think of selling this happens..

In a vote of confidence for the venerable British retailer, JPMorgan has raised its price target for Marks & Spencer shares (LON: MKS) from 360 to 425 GBp, maintaining an Overweight rating on the company's stock. This updated target suggests a positive outlook on the company's financial performance and reflects an anticipatory stance on its growth prospects.

With M&S shares having increased almost 41% YTD, today's increase of 0.52% has seen the stock price hit a new 52-week high of 393.16 GBp after opening the day with a slight gap up to 388p. The new price target indicates a significant premium and renewed analyst confidence, potentially driven by Marks & Spencer's latest financial performances which showcased total revenue of over £13 billion with a net income to common of approximately £431.2 million.

Despite the potential headwinds facing the consumer cyclical sector and the challenges that department stores have faced more broadly, Marks & Spencer has demonstrated resilience. As a heritage brand with diversified operations that span across various segments including UK Clothing & Home, UK Food, International, and Ocado, the company seems well-positioned to continue its momentum.

A glance at the financials reveals a trailing price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 18.7 and a more favorable forward PE of 15.95, indicating expectations for increased earnings in the future. The company also sustains a dividend yield of 0.75%, which, although modest, represents a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Among individual supermarkets, Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer saw the biggest jump in sales in the 12 weeks to 5 October, up 15.9% and 12.4% respectively.

Deutsche Bank raises Marks & Spencer price target to 430 (350) pence - 'buy'

Elsewhere, retailers Marks & Spencer rose 1.1%, Tesco climbed 0.2% and Next advanced 0.8% after a upbeat retail sales report.

UK retail sales picked up in September as the start of the school year saw a boost for children's clothing, footwear and accessories while food sales growth remained healthy, a survey showed.

According to the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, retail sales increased by 2.0% year-on-year in the five weeks to September 28, against a growth of 2.7% a year prior. This was above the 3-month average growth of 1.2% and the 12-month average growth of 1.1%.

It has been a while since we set a new 52 week high, I do miss those days.

Fish and chips without the chips, I hope for dessert you didn't go for spotted-dick.

Consulate, everyone has one but you shouldn't behave like one.

Sorry to one and all that lost here.

Chin up Forest

Only watched 10mins but was a fantastic advert for the brand, fresh modern and quality. Well done Bod / PR

While I remember. I was in a store, north Wales, at the weekend and the summer sales items weren't significant, how does it look across the country?

Every days a school day. Never wrong to take profit if you feel inclined. £4 does appear high, particularly for those who remember £1, it's not as if we can compare past performances to the current business or market place so hard to guage. I do find it curious, like buses, 3 broker ratings came in quick succession, and a new crowd to the party. Mood music has changed tempo for the Autumn statement but risks remain. I for now will be sitting on my hands. Gla

Perhaps Fender, I think it was just the conductor having a word with the driver that having set new highs for five days straight it might be worth having a down day to remind us it can happen. I'm scanning the track ahead for those pesky children and do see things of concern, ignoring all out war of the idiots the Autumn statement may give us a rough ride. I am hoping we're getting a it's going to be really bad so when its delivered it's only bad which would be good. Equally results in November which will be very good may not match the current up lift which would then be bad so don't want to see a repeat of Christmas trading update where the retrace was overdone.

Let's hope in the morning we're staring down a long straight with a strong tailwind and the sun on our faces.

Gla

Have we slowed down for a level crossing? Not HS2?

And....RBC raises Marks & Spencer price target to 400 (350) pence - 'outperform'

Another new year high of £3.58 has been set. Mid year results are only 7 weeks away. Sun is shining, happy days.

Evening Corry, what's said and what's done can be different in 'exceptional' times, if you think you can get away with it and blame Tories, a 20b black hole is not good but you want to see the potholes here. Perhaps just a slight squeeze, an extra 0.1 % or so won't cause too much trouble.

Another new, new year high, don't think I'd ever get bored of saying that, long may it continue.

Not sure we'll see 450 next quarter, like you're optimism but feel it may take longer, next summer or a TO bid.

I'd raise stamp duty on shares, easy target. Not sure they'll go for pensioners again, directly.

With regard who are our customers, that keeps me interested as we're diversifying well and appear to have a solid plan. Yes those customers that could be considered the 'haves' are going to be a target but not to the point they have to reduce spending in M&S. Gov are also less like to go for those who have less but for us are now starting to buy with us for lasting quality items and as the become have more will be valued customers, interesting times without even considering the next inflation figures, Boe rate or Autumn statement.

And we haven't touched on Ocado, looking better there, short term just need to add our branding.

Gla

Should add in for transparency my next investment review point, SP based, is 365 and unusually I don't now have a higher consideration, as I said, I wasn't expecting to be this close at this time.