Member Info for JamesOxford

Possible sale of Prudential's 'Eastspring Investments' may be underway. Eastspring HQ is located in Singapore, operates in 11 Asian countries (as well as North America, Europe and Europe) with USD271 billion funds under management, circa 400 employees, and is valued at circa USD3 billion.

Prudential may sell circa 30% of Eastspring to realise USD1 billion. The windfall will most likley be used for further investment and further share buybacks and/or dividends.

To me, it makes perfect sense for Prudential to sell a minimum of 30% stake, if not all of Eastspring at the right price.

https://www.sharecast.com/news/news-and-announcements/prudential-mulling-sale-of-stake-in-eastspring-investments---report--18294545.html

Whenever, I invest in retail, I like to check out the stores and have a quick chat to employees there. I took a quick trip to JD Sports stores recently...

I visited JD Sports in Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park, Horwich, Greater Manchester (Retail park store) and it was very busy in the afternoon on Sunday 8 December in terms of customers in store (about 50) and queues at the checkout tills (about 10 at any one time). Other shops nearby were no where near as busy (for example Tog24 etc).

I visited the JD Sports in the Trafford Centre, Manchester (Flagship store) at about 11am yesterday Monday 9 December. The store was very busy probably about 70 customers inside at any one time...but most importantly, there was a further 15-20 customers at the back of the store with items to buy (5-6 checkout tills were staffed and in full time operation) and it seemed as one customer was served and left the store, another customer entered the queue.

In comparison, I visited Superdry - different store I know, but still retail a fashion store of sorts - about 6-8 people looking at the clothing racks, and no one at the checkout tills.

While at the JD Sports store in Trafford Centre I noticed that JD Sports had some serious signage in the store/s adjacent, so obviously an huge expansion and fit-out are underway to the current store. After a quick Google search, this was confirmed and I have attached the link below:

https://www.rocconsulting.com/projects/jd-sports-flagship-store-trafford-centre-manchester/#:~:text=Sports%2Dfashion%20giant%20JD%20Sports,access%20to%20the%20main%20unit.

I've dabbled in and out of JD Sports Plc for a few years now and have always viewed it as somewhat of a 'day traders stock'. While this may still be true to a degree, I have looked very closely at JD Sports over the last week...

I have come to the conclusion that JD Sports' is a serious value and future growth stock with very bright prospects. JD has made two high profile international acquisitions recently, which will add strong, consistent and growing sales and profits to its bottom line. Partnerships are rock solid with top brands like Nike, Adidas etc. JD Sports has excellent leadership and management, and strong financials.

For me, JD Sports is seriously undervalued at the moment. I am happy to have added JD Sports stock to my investment portfolio today at £1.025.

GLA

All IMO & DYOR

My post 12 November is below. As true then as it is now...

@Garonne. For me Prudential is a no brainer investment - a growth stock in time. In the meantime, I am happy to let it sit and add in the dips. Jefferies has a £13.10p target, which is more than 100% above the current share price (link below):

https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/1060016/prudential-quietens-some-of-the-doubts-with-update-us-bank-suggests-1060016.html

Well it's been fun to be part of this ride with Wood Group, but as of 12.20pm today I completely sold out at .6675p.

I think there have been lots of valid points mentioned over the past couple of weeks with regards to the direction of Wood Group both positive and negative. For me though, it's never been a medium-long term investment. The review has always been the 'elephant in the room' and there has been little in the way of detail around it and no estimated completion date in sight. That said, it is entirely possible that Wood Group is bought out, or that the review is not as bad as the shorts may think, so on balance, there are lots of possible positives, but also possible negatives.

Rather than wait for a few more pennies here and there, I will invest in other opportunities elsewhere. Wood Group - thanks for the rollercoaster rides (and the profits)...it's been a bit dizzy at times! I am sure I have made some friends and some enemies (in equal measures hopefully) and I wish everyone here all the best. I may see a few of you sometime in the future i.e. when we are once more invested in the same stock.

Adios!

Very early on in this process, I predicted the Aviva offer would be £2.75 to £3.00 and concluded this week (who wants to work up to a few days before Christmas?!), so pleased to be right on this one, albiet the offer of £2.75 was at the low end...£3.00 was probably wishfull thinking on my part and would have only come to fruiting if a second bidder entered. The revised bid to £2.75 is a good offer.

I do not want to be part of the Aviva-Direct Line jorney of integration, nor do I want to be invested in Aviva. That said, I am sure it will all work out for the better for everyone involved with the synergies and cost effeciencies etc. in the new and improved Aviva!

I am happy with the profit banked here and have completely sold out at £2.53 exactly today. Rather than wait for a few more pennies here and there, I see better investment opportunities elsewhere. Direct Line - thanks for the memories (and the profits) and I wish everyone here all the best. I may see a few of you sometime in the future i.e. when we are once more invested in the same stock.

Adios!

Probably an auction at the start of play...again!

I predict the Direct Line share price to increase to £2.40 to £2.45 by 10am tomorrow.

GLA

Any other predictions?

Aviva's offer at £2.61 is still an increase (no matter how small). It means that Direct Line will have to discuss this offer and consult with their instiutional investors. I predict there will be one further offer from Aviva to come i.e. 'last and final offer'. Aviva will want an agreement well before the deadline, or they will walk. Needless to say, I expect a Direct Line price increase tomorrow!

Just to add, all Prudental Plc shares bought by Prudentail will be cancelled.

Very good for all Prudential shareholders.

@Crossley. I hope this helps answer your question on Prudential Plc:

Buyback of US$2 billion to be completed no later than mid 2026. Made up as:

US$700m: This first tranche started 23 June 2024. and completed 15 November 2024

USD$800m: This second tranche started 5 December 2024, and completion will be no later than 26 June 2025.

USD$500m: This third tranche should start on or around 10 July 2025, and completion within 5 months. Estimated dates only.

In terms of dividends etc. Prudential has stated that 'Progress towards our 2027 financial objectives will increase the potential for further cash returns to shareholders'.

For further info, please click on the link below:

https://www.prudentialplc.com/en/investors/results-centre

I hope this assists and provides you with the confidence that Prudential is in fact a very good investment for the long term. I have built my investment up now to £200,000 and am very pleased to hold for a long time. I have this listed in my investment porfolio under the nickname 'Sleeping Giant'. Sooner of later the rest of the market will wake up to the growth and value potential of this stock (which is very, very cheap at the moment).

@Aucuba 'RNS ultimately did little for Wood today because once the market digested it they saw it for what it is - one new contract with no guarantee of scope.'

Agreed. Nice for Wood Group to finally have a positive RNS. However, the more I thought about it, the less impressive it seemed in terms of no 'real meat on the bones' with regards to detail and most importantly numbers either for the one new contract or for the two renewed contracts. To be honest I didn't want to highlight that fact and ruin everyone's party and receive another lot of backlash and grief over it. So I kept silent. That is why I banked profits quite early on at about 9.30-9.40am today when the Wood Group share price hit .712p today. After the initial spike, the Wood Group share price fell throughout most of today, so it looks like we weren't alone.

I am still in at £90,000 with buy price of 52p for now. Interesting that the shorts have not left, as mentioned previously, I think they will wait patiently for the review.

BTW. I do appreciate your views/comments and those from JG68, Stupmy and MaryBr.

Good news! For anyone here who missed it...

5 December: Commencement of Second Tranche of share buyback programme for US$ 800 million

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/PRU/commencement-of-2nd-tranche-of-buyback-programme/16797931

@HHH81 posted at 9.24am today: 'JOX - what do the other klan members think about your reinvesting into Capita?'

HHH81 You are offensive and bang out of order!

No apology from you at all.

Rather than own up and take responsibility for your vile outburst - instead, you try to pass the buck and reply with it was a 'tongue in cheek question'. Sorry but there is no 'tongue in cheek' question at all in your comment. I find your comment absolutely disgusting. If you think it's funny in any way, you need to take a good look in the mirror.

Do not engage with me in the future.

@HHH81. 'JOX - what do the other klan members think about your reinvesting into Capita?'

That is no joke, that is highly offensive - you should retract that immediately.

More profit banked at 71.2p. Don't want to be too greedy! Lol

@Valueseeker 'There are at least 3 or 4 additional items of positive news imminent ( expected) which could drop at any time via rns imo.'

Big statement. Please explain?

Already up circa 70.13p (8.39%) today as at the time of this post. Wood Group's RNS today was a license to print money.

@Aimless. You need to read my earlier posts. I agreed I had become a turncoat, but first and foremost I am an investor. I have always liked Capita since AH took over. I plan to have a minimum stake of £200,000 invested before 17 December. I have already built my Capita stake to £125,000 from the time of my first two trades mid-AM yesterday to the COB yesterday.

Aimless you are the biggest turncoat I know, so your grumblings about my 'prinicples' does not bother me. You've had more shorts and longs on Capita that I've had hot dinners. I think the real reason you don't want me invested in Capita is because you're very worried about your current short position and you want the least amount of buyers as possible.

Unfortunatey, for you Aimless, you have entered dark and dangerous waters with your short on Capita. I mentioned to you yesterday to get out of the water, and exit your short position on Capita at the first possible opportunity. You have refused to do so. Oh well, you were warned...

Meanwhile, JO and other investors in Capita are enjoying the golden sand beach and the gently rolling surf under the warm sun. Got to go...BBQ and drinks are ready!

It should rise to 75-80p today. Big ask, but the RNS is the shot in the arm that Wood Group badly needed.

Just tried to add another £50,000...straight to auction...