Member Info for Steinbecking

Trump is as crocked as they come. Despite the BBC hicup, Trump & Putin are miles ahead in the deplorable chart.

At least one politician is in defence:

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ed-davey-urges-british-leaders-to-defend-bbc-against-trump-400121/

Well done Ed!

Some would say, all good things eventually come to an end. Sometimes the brand emblem lives on.

BigEgo, you raise an intriguing point about the potential future of ITV, and it's natural to be concerned about the implications of such a significant shift. The idea of ITV ceasing to exist as a standalone entity is certainly a possibility we can't overlook, especially if the network merges into Sky while its studios business is offloaded to an external buyer.

However, this scenario could also present opportunities. ITV's strong brand and legacy could be leveraged by a new owner, perhaps focusing on content creation while aligning with platforms like Sky for distribution. This would likely be guided by government. It could pave the way for innovative partnerships that enhance viewer experiences.

It's worth considering whether, in this increasingly competitive media landscape, a transformation of ITV might not mean its end, but rather a significant evolution. While the sentiment of "goodbye from ITV" is poignant, perhaps it's more about a reimagining for the future of broadcasting. What do you think about the potential for ITV's brand to adapt and thrive under new structures?

When someone is trying to take territory it often prompts a war!

Sky have been planning this for longer than we are being led to believe.

Sky's reported talks to acquire ITV's media and entertainment division represent a strategic land grab in the competitive UK broadcasting landscape. With declining viewership among its aging customer base, Sky sees ITV and its streaming platform, ITVX, as vital assets to bolster content offerings, particularly in sports. As the largest broadcaster of Premier League football in the UK, Sky aims to merge audiences, knowing that while not all ITV viewers watch Sky, all Sky viewers do watch ITV. This potential acquisition underscores a broader trend of traditional media adapting to the challenges posed by digital-first platforms as they vie for viewer attention and advertising revenue.

https://deadline.com/2025/11/sky-itv-takeover-analysis-love-island-1236610594/

Considering all things, ITV is doing remarkably well.

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/itv-delivers-solid-q3-performance-despite-challenging-ad-market-93CH-4336613

Overall, I'm happy with the update.

It reflects a resilient performance, surpassing market expectations amid a challenging advertising environment. Total group revenue increased by 2% year-to-date, bolstered by a remarkable 11% growth in ITV Studios, alongside a 15% uptick in digital advertising revenue driven by the success of ITVX. This positive trajectory is underscored by a robust programming slate targeting widespread engagement. Future sports coverage that capitalises on high viewership periods is an important factor (although not mentioned in the update). The management’s commitment to strategic cost management, including £35 million in temporary savings, demonstrates their proactive stance in responding to market fluctuations, ensuring that operational efficiency remains a priority without compromising content quality.

While concerns about a softening advertising market may arise ahead of the budget, these fluctuations are typical in the industry. ITV's leadership remains optimistic, projecting a full-year revenue growth trajectory that aligns well with its long-term strategic plans. The 13-15% margin target for ITV Studios remains firm, indicative of their adaptive strategies and solid market positioning.b Furthermore, as ITV continues its transformation into a more digitally-focused entity, the company is well-prepared to pivot in line with evolving consumer trends, solidifying its place in the competitive landscape. Overall, ITV’s strategy appears bullish, with promising signs for sustained revenue growth and market resilience in the coming quarters.

Https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/itv-softer-ad-revenue-cost-savings-1236419168/

Wickes reported a commendable growth in Retail revenue of 6.7%, or 5.6% on a like-for-like basis, totaling GBP 312.5 million.

The strong demand in Retail was largely fueled by TradePro customers, with membership rising to 632,000 from 564,000 the previous year. This serves as a positive indicator that both the economy and the home improvement sector are on the rise!

GSquid,

Your points are rife with alarmism while conveniently glossing over the grave consequences of misguided leadership. Liz Truss stands out as one of the worst prime ministers in history, her brief tenure marked by economic chaos and policy failures that have deepened the country's crises. David Cameron's disastrous decision to facilitate Brexit also stripped away essential support, leaving the UK reeling from the repercussions. Claiming the FTSE's all-time high reflects prosperity ignores the spiraling debt and borrowing rates. It’s naive to condemn foreign aid initiatives without recognising their role in global responsibility and sustainability. Instead of fueling fear, let’s confront the leadership failures that have brought us here and demand accountability. The real issue is not merely spending but having leaders who are capable of guiding us through these turbulent times.

The current government, love them or hate them, inherited a legacy of perpetual mismanagement.

Janus,

Yes, it's likely that by 8:05, or soon after, there will be a clear indication. If positive, it will put a halt to much of the uncertainty. If negative, the usual worms will come out of the woodwork.

Just because TACO man has predictably reversed his stance doesn't mean he hasn't created uncertainty. It also doesn't imply that there aren't opportunities available. The shares remain a great deal. Take advantage of while you can.

Taylor Wimpey's actions suggest a serious commitment to addressing past safety issues. By suing Ardmore's parent firms over remediation costs, they are demonstrating a proactive approach to accountability in building safety.

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/building-safety/taylor-wimpey-sues-ardmores-parent-firms-over-40m-remediation-claim-08-10-2025/

Things are getting more exciting as we type. Congratulations to those who found some great bargains!

If it requires "a bit of cleverness," we won't be looking for any advice from you!

What has Jesus got to do with it Tomalley?

blasphemy

The choice is yours. Who dares wins. The political turmoil in France, the second biggest economy in the Euro zone, is affecting the entire market. Today is an excellent opportunity to find great discounts.

The caveat is, the rise of the far right might cause further problems for everyone.

You have your viewpoint, and I have mine. I would contend that the stock has surged significantly since Pfizer agreed to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicaid program in exchange for tariff relief, suggesting that others may follow suit. The upcoming results will reflect the legacy of the departing CEO and no one else.

Walmsely had already set the stage during Trump's red carpet welcome at Windsor Castle. What we are witnessing is her as a powerful businesswoman, albeit submissive to a bully. It has nothing to do with her leaving as CEO or not being popular. Reports indicate that Pfizer has agreed to reduce prescription drug prices in the Medicaid program in return for tariff relief. The entire situation revolves around accommodating Trump.

Mont

I suspect there's another reason for the gains today. The outgoing CEO, who happens to be female, was never going to appeal to the old grey men in suits, however well she did.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-altrata-study-finds-gender-diversity-gains-reverse-at-the-top-us-companies-302535040.html

Just to add, I understand that we are a UK-based company, but it's clear that our business is significantly impacted by the U.S. market.

There doesn't seem to be a logical explanation for the current rise. The next two or three sets of results will reflect the legacy of the outgoing CEO, and I expect them to be outstanding. There is substantial evidence pointing to widespread misogyny and gender discrimination in U.S. businesses, especially among CEOs. Under the Republican administration, this issue has intensified significantly. Although there has been some progress in recent years, the overall representation of women in leadership roles remains disproportionately low and is decreasing, with recent trends indicating a decline in gender diversity.

As a somewhat skeptical shareholder, I'm curious about how the rejection of the proposals regarding the disapplication of pre-emption rights will specifically impact XP Factory's growth strategy, if there is one?