Member Info for firegazer

a couple more weeks like this one would be very nice :)

to today. 93.10 up 3.3pct. Lets hope it continues up to results day!

out on loan fell to 18.82pct in Sept.

are out on the 24th, and I'm looking forward to them maintaining the interim dividend. I must confess i emailed investor relations but got the usual "sustainable going forward etc etc" We lost bit of ground in Sept but hoping for a move up in the weeks ahead. Silchester International Investors agree having upped their holding to over 10pct.

I agree this is a very volatile share are the moment, long gone are the days of steady 200's and a nice hefty div. With so much of this out on loan there's not many that want it to rise, but if the half year results are positive and they retain the div the outlook will be a lot more rosey. In the meantime there's a few quid to be made on the swings. GL

have a new price target of 115 for home.

Thing is I thought it was priced in at 100p :(

as expected but we drop 4pct., after hitting 102, and no big sells. As usual confused!

On track to meet profit targets.     Argos Total sales at Argos grew by 1.0% to £867m.  Net closed space reduced sales by 0.4%; seven stores closed in the quarter, reducing the store portfolio to 739.   Like-for-like sales increased by 1.4% in the quarter.  Consumer electronics continued to deliver an improved sales performance, driven by strong growth in tablets and e-readers, which together with further good growth in white goods offset the market driven sales declines in the video gaming and audio categories and the weaker trading in seasonal products.   Sales via the online Check & Reserve service grew 24% and represented 30% of total Argos sales.  Total internet sales grew 16% and represented 42% of total Argos sales.  Total multi-channel sales represented 52% of total Argos sales, up from 47% a year earlier.   The approximate 75 basis point gross margin decline was driven by an adverse sales mix and price investment, partially offset by the expected benefit of a reduced level of stock clearance activity and the anticipated net benefit of favourable currency and reduced shipping costs.   Homebase Total sales at Homebase declined by 3.9% to £366m.  Net closed space reduced sales by 0.2%; one store closed in the quarter, reducing the store portfolio to 340.   Like-for-like sales declined by 3.7% in the quarter, driven by big ticket sales which were down in a market that continues to be challenging, and seasonal products which have continued to be impacted by the poor weather conditions.  Sales for the remaining categories were broadly flat.   The approximate 75 basis point gross margin improvement was driven by the anticipated net benefit of favourable currency and reduced shipping costs together with a beneficial sales mix.  This was offset in part by an increased level of seasonal stock clearance activity.

"Shares in Home Retail Group have jumped 30 per cent since a surprise update showed better-than-expected trading at catalogue business Argos. Underlying sales declined by 0.2 per cent in the three months to 2 June, which marked a significant improvement on the 8.7 per cent drop in the previous six months, helped by the launch of Apple’s iPad 3 tablet computer. The City expects sales figures for its second quarter to provide further cheer on Thursday, with analysts pencilling in a 0.7 per cent fall, which would be much better than the 9.6 per cent drop seen a year ago. The chain, which has about 750 stores, is looking to recover from months of dire trading which prompted Home Retail to axe its dividend pay-out. Investec analyst David Jeary said: “We believe that fears on Argos should be alleviated, if not fully allayed, by consecutive quarters of broadly flat like-for-like sales performance.” Another improved performance would also reduce some of the pressure on the chain to close stores amid a review being carried out by strategy consultants OC&C to help new managing director John Walden assess the Argos business. While the outlook may look slightly rosier for Argos, Home Retail’s DIY chain Homebase is set to have experienced more tough trading due to the slow housing market, which is also affecting rival B&Q."

ideas on what we are going to get on Thursday? After char's bad news today I could do with something positive.

Looks like we may well finish the week where we started, which is a shame cos when we hit the pound I thought we may have a little rally. It would be interesting to know how much Is still out on loan here, cos any sign of good results next week and we could see a big change.

to the day. Onwards and upwards........

cheers for the post matey. I pretty much agree with their sentiments tbh.

Don't blame you for being a little nervous, but sounds like you locked in a good profit. I'm sitting tight and hoping you have gone a little early. Still looking good in the long term impo.

Capital reiterates 68p. No wonder they are in such deep s@@t. They must be short here, and along with all the other shorters will be forced to buy soon. Then all steam ahead!

Whilst I'd love a 20pct increase, I think that might be a bit much. Back to a pound is very possible tho! Going forward longer term and with the div reinstated it will fly. Do you have any info of how many are still out on loan?

Missed your post! Must need new specs

Reiterates an overweight rec with price target of 140

Thanks for the link. It makes interesting reading for sure. Two more brokers upgraded today so here's hoping that the tide is turning for poor old home.