Member Info for RickEngland

Ouch. Well he obviously believes. I wonder if Greg switched to share buyback instead of dividends, as he couldn't fit them all within his ISA allowance. Haha.

I'm hoping Adam goes back to divs. Whrn the time is right.

A month to the trading update (16th July) is long time in the markets, with negative news abound. Unless you just bought at £2.24 literally "every" vty investor is down on paper. One of the lessons in business is always put your resources to work (i.e don't hold cash, employee all your capital). I don't agree with that as 'blanket' rule. I think in times of a subdued business market, it's prudent to hold larger amounts of cash. Alot actually.

Yet recently vty have gone deep buying land as it was commercially cheap in the cycle, and also gone heavy with share buybacks. In essence they spent their cash. Was they trying to do it all? Was the previous ceo addicted to share buybacks? I'd assume he considered the business was already strong enough to allow buybacks, even in a downturn. What if the business didn't do buybacks, yet reported slower sales and held more cash, would the sp still be £2.25? If not maybe £4.00. I still think the short sharks, would be circling, and we'd still be in trouble sp wise.

I priced up my street recently just for fun from land registry data (i was bored). It came out like £7.4m for just 29 houses on last sold prices (not today's value) It doesnt take many house sales to lock in a few £100m.

I'm feeling confident vty can turn it around fast. But with a month to go to the trading update, can we get more shares even cheaper? Are we brave enough?.. smiles.

I guess: no div, paused buy back, redundancies (even if voluntary), £100k knocked off houses (looks a bit desperate), and push to build cash..... doesnt look good, without digging into the detail.

I like the new CEO, looks like he's got balls and willing to hurt the sp short term for future strength. Although why isn't he buying 100k shares? Or any of the director's at these prices?

Order book, land and loan facilities appear strong from what i read in the accounts. I'd like vty to hold £500m+ cash just to show strength. Even if that meant a delay to divs returning.

Got interest rates on Thursday, I reckon it will be "hold".

I've only got 2300 shares, but seriously considering buying another 5000 as really like Mr big balls new CEO.

I reckon we have a short window for cheap buys until 16th July 2026 trading update. I believe the metrics proposed are achievable, otherwise the CEO wouldnt have said it.

Spacex has the same market value of 5,780 debs businesses, and spacex burns billions with no profit. So i reckon we've got a chance of an sp rise.😁

Based on shares circulating and dividend policy of £125m every 6 months, that equates to 'minimum' of 3.55p per share for interim + final. Plus either extra divs or buybacks. In essence you get your full investment back in under 10 years with divs alone.

Ok im in for 6000 share, tester.

An acquisition with £22,000,000,000 of debt? Can't see that happening. Selling Guinness would be a real shame. The real problem is funding this debt. I don't understand why the previous Ceo thought that was a good idea to grow debt to those levels. Anyone know what they got for the money? New factories abroad?

Debs have pivoted to a mini amazon, by on boarding sellers via online debenhams. I know they charge a monthly fee, I don't know if they take a cut of sales as well. In any case I don't view debs as simply a fashion seller anymore. Surely the investment in warehouse automation makes it possible to be a mini amazon. It all depends if they're getting the sales via debenhams and if delivery timings are adequate. It's got potential.

Thank you John.

I'd rather they did a share placing rather than sell Guinness to reduce debt. Makes sense the div was cut then. Ok i'm gonna sit on the fence, until the debt position is more clear, or a sp drop to a p/e ratio that might tempt me in.

I've been wondering if to buy 1000 shares, although the debt levels are putting me off. £22bn debt at say 5% interest is £1.1bn. Anyone now why Diageo accumulated so much debt? Was it new factories or something tangible? Why is considered ok to hold £22bn rather than say £2bn. I appreciate Diageo is nothing like cineword, were the debt killed them, but the debt just feels at shocking levels to me. Your thoughts appreciated. Thanks

I say open at £1.76, massive buying pushes us to £1.94 mid morning. Drops back £1.89 by lunchtime. Another ramp from 2pm, closes at £2.05

I was a saying a good month+ ago, it was a great investment until the FCA ignored the supreme court and started playing silly buggers. Putting emotional attachment aside, I sold near £5. The problem is cbg are sitting on all this cash (capital) they can do nothing with. Worse, they still dont know the outcome, it's worse than before the court case. I'll be tempted again back in the £2.70's. Why? Because you either employ capital to grow, or pay it out. Neither is happening for months, maybe even a year+. Its a sad situation, but you have to be a realist with shares.

Edit:.... "easy to Bounce to oct 2025 prices". Cant edit post.

The SP did drop at market open to reflect the div. However an RNS reporting the CEO has bought 'another' £50k worth of shares has added more confidence. Personally I believe this share in in bargain territory. You dont many shares for a bounce to October 2016 prices to make a quick £5k upside.

Those who hold longer, will no doubt benefit from the boards buyback programme. This share is much cheaper than the original IPO in 2014, it has to be a bigger business now than 2014 even without inflation. Im confident the sp will return to Oct prices either in Jan-26 or earlier. This share can cover your entire Xmas costs and a summer holiday for free in 2026.

All i know, is i have to keep winning, as my wife demands exotic all inclusive family holidays to Mexico. CBG paid for the £12k holiday for March-26. Now need another £10k+ to book another free holiday in Aug-26. I'm pretty confident BME will make it happen. Nothing nicer sitting on a sunbed thinking this was free.

Today is the last day to qualify for the div, to settle and get on the register. Great news the CEO bought another £50k worth. I don't fear the shorts, if I'm confident with my investment. Wont be long before buybacks start and that will really move the sp up sharpish. I say let the sp steam up, rumour has it all the B&M shops are busy.

3.5p div. Paid on 12th Dec, for those on the register on 21st Nov 25.

Interim results might be ugly if the sp was 300p, but at current prices I'd say the results will probably look quite attractive. Hard to imagine anymore nasties then the one off frieght correction, although I expect trading to be flat. Im pretty sure the sp will bounce when div is continued.

I hear ya. I decided to play with B&M just before market close with a buy (BME), I'll come back to cbg at some point im sure too.

Sg: I do not go by another handle on here. I turned negative on the stock, because the environment and risk turned negative. It's a shame as it was looking rosy after the supreme court. Although theres no point holding emotional attachment to a share, so i refuse to be positive for the sake of it. At some point i think theres a probability the fca could be forced to water down redress, be that by further court action or political pressure. But that is a long way out and won't happen in a month. Therefore the downward pressure will continue. If I see signs of an improvement I'll be back in, hence why I watch it.