Member Info for Gerry557

Midway, retail sales lower than expected although the trend is still showing growth. Might explain a bit of the drop. I assume taking on an online exec means a push in that direction. Yes lots of political upheaval and probably more to come. No matter what they all do companies will adapt and find ways around obstacles and we are glad they do. Makes you wonder what will happen next week and Trumps affect on shares in general.

Hi Dan, yes I added a few on the way down think it was 203. They did fall further after I bought then rose again. Looking like there might be more offerings soon. In hindsight I should have waited longer. I did post on here at the time.

my Thai Airways comment. Ive been deleted again

A quick skeg at the charts shows from deal date Vod down about 15% and VC up 10%. without divis. June 15 and Aug 15 Vod was winning by a tad. Since then its been all VZC. So is reinvesting VZC $ divis into cheaper Vod the way forward? Even allowing a tad more time to filter out the "windfall" effect, the SP fell after the deal shows Vod still down 8%. Might be worth keeping an eye out on swapping using a third of the holding to use to switch but still keeping a toe in each camp

ARSENAL17, I know your totally positive on RR no matter what and quick to shout down any criticism on these bb's. I dont think you can say it will never happen again. Memories tend to be short term and people change. It normally happens in cycles and I'm sure there will be another. In fact Im surprised there is not more UK PLC bribery or is having dinner on the Royal yacht just "persuasion." Whatever I think we should be doing more and using our soft skills. As for selling, do we need critical shareholders otherwise wont boards just do as they please.(this will open some comments) I wonder what ValueAct have to say on the subject or do you just want me to be stum on here. Hopefully as you would like, the company itself will allow me to be more positive in my postings. I'm really looking forward to bragging about bigger rather then smaller dividends.

Ejackson, I think it was the lack of control of payments over many years that added to the breakup. Note that Project Spring was funded from the sale it would be interesting to see how the non US would have coped without the capex even if it meant running just to stand still. You of course had the option to keep the US bit by hanging onto your Verizion holding. OK it has FX complications Divi WHT etc but quarterly dividends and the FX rates have boosted that divi currently So are you moaning about your own decision rather than Vodafone's? I kept mine and have reviewed it a couple of times with keeping the holding winning out at those review points. I might have a look again later. Still things can turn and I'm sure there will be times when not holding will have been the right option too. Hopefully even picking the worst of the two options makes you a winner over time anyway.

Shack22, In most big organisations there are some issues and its frustrating when the computer says No1. From memory, at the last update, the quality of the service was improving in most areas. The UK was highlighted as being an issue due to an IT upgrade. I think CS in telecoms and utilities is generally very poor. I suppose if the product just "worked" without issue then it is unlikely that we would need CS. I understand the once bitten twice shy attitude but I also differentiate being a customer and investor as diametrically opposite, for instance I want lower bills but bigger dividends! Hopefully Vod has got a grip on the majority of its issues as I agree there is only so far you can push the customer before other options are taken. I think I have had issues with most telecoms for one reason or another but I still need a phone so its sometimes a case of picking the best of the worst. The only good CS I remember was a budget telecom Life mobile, Real people in UK, answered in a couple of rings, that actually listened and was able to get around the system when the computer say no.

"occasionally I like to get my money out of some shares to spend on other things" - Isn't that the beauty of dividends. You get some to spend twice a year or quarterly depending on which ones you buy. Over time you can get out more than you put in and the amount will also increase over time too. Ok ignore Tesco! Debs pays up next week. Of course you can reinvest and get even more at a later date, in fact reinvesting dividends is a recommendation but you can still spend some. Wots not to like about a growing PF and growing pot of divis even if you spend a proportion. As for living, Mrs G rummaging through the wardrobe as we speak as bags are being packed for trip later today. I suspect she might want to give Debs some of that divi money back.

It might have happened in the past but its only going to affect the future ...... for the next 5 years. I think I have ranted enough about trying to get it to affect those involved rather than someone who, like you, thinks it might have a future and buys in tomorrow. I can't put my head in the sand and ignore it. Maybe in time I might loose sight of the issue, like so many others which I cant now remember, woop woop.

Joining the bun fight, too late to bring criminal charges but fine to obtain compensation. Dont worry I'll keep paying out every Tom Dick and Ying. It doesn't matter that there is no comeback if Ying is not too sure if the RR rep did actually give him a bung, I might even suggest the Thai's offer him one to say he was "Bunged"

Grayling, Its not just ex employees reports that 38 current ones will also be looking over their shoulders. Looks like it was a bit of a culture at the time. Interesting comments from David Buik, although I would think the same as its my conformation bias again. Arsenal17, I wish it worked both ways and politicians kept away from investing. Like "Red Ed's" comments knocking utilities for six!. Hopefully your misses taking those buns into work will not be seen as an attempt at bribery and you will have nothing to fear.

Looks like they are working against you, preventing a big sale to drop the price. Strange but not suspicious IMV. As for ex divi date, at least its only the interim. Looks like Queeny tried to help by offloading her lot but I cant help you messen. Soz I'm keeping mine.

Its afternoon now and a bright one at that, too nice to be inside. Debs drifting lower as the shorts rise and I dont mean the Mantaray version. Of course more interesting would be who GS were doing this for but I think you can get too hung up on things. Why sell PNN, I love boring shares dishing out divis like a metronome. Might be better if some of the politicians were more boring and just got on with the job rather than spin. Ive got some on aim although might be using more funds for future buys as they need more of a close eye than I tend to give.

I think that cheer is UK wide for retailers. Is it all those extra people in the UK adding to sales or that we are all loading up on credit? The boost in SP over trading update was quite short lived good job markets on a high. I was just interested in your interest in PNN as I had not seen you in there before. Emily might be a bright lady but I cant say she holds a candle for me. Although aren't we programmed to dislike MP's generally until they pass away then we gush about how good there were. Wasn't it Emily who also dissed white van. man. Ive seen good n bad in the NHS. Lots of waste and inefficiency so its not just about money, for me anyway but observed some excellent service. There was a TV program Gerry fixes the NHS, well worth a watch even though a different Gerry. Tesco all sold, so plan to reduce PF % complete but what price to buy back, if at all. Might be better adding in here if the divi is maintained.

Too late for a pre update but things look ok even though there were some headwinds. Makes you wonder how well things could have been. Like to see the debt coming down as the integration completes. Although real success will be a rising divi but suspect that might be a while away.

Nice to see some honesty, fear n greed are supposed to keep the markets rolling. Maybe Credit Suisse will ride to your rescue, or Trump or Brexit or ........ Things do change fast

Matt, you were always braver than me here. I have a beef with management and wondered if it was another doggy deal on the back of a good promise to shareholders. Of course it could be the buyers are getting cooler feet or that they cant really afford it and need to sort something different out. I hope your bravery is rewarded and maybe I'll be back if management change.

Well Debs did say they planned cut cut discounts which is good for my divis. I'm not sure if Im following you or your following me. Here I think you were first. Seen you in RR. and just recently in PNN but I suppose we are free to post anywhere. I have 30+ individual shares so some crossover is to be expected. I doubt they would get us confused. Out of interest, why PNN. Might be better to post any reply on that bb

Trump wants a 10% saving on the F35. I suppose the FX rates have helped him a tad

Just looked at the SP touching the 8's but it gaped up this morning so maybe it will get closed. GL