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Need to get across that one pound barrier and stay there.

Courtier, your views reflect my own and whilst growth by way of increased share price may be disappointing and in some cases result in loss there is with the stocks you refer to there is always dividend income to consider. Whilst dividends are never certain look for companies with progressive dividend policies and the ability to generate cash. There will always be losers and some winners. Centrica will always be subject to the whims of the energy market but the Home Service elements, Hive, boiler repairs etc. Generate good income and in time the stock should recover.

The paper is probably sourced locally, inks from somewhere in Europe with the finishing, printing, packaging done locally. Does the company not have a big facility in northern England.

As of 16.35 today 14.02.20 Vol. Sold 64,393 Vol. Bought 287,607 yet the share price falls, surely it should be ticking up nicely.

Let us hope that those who wish to commemorate, celebrate or mourn the departure from the EU by way of raising a glass, or preferably several do so with Marston’s good ale this helping to boost sales and hence profits.

Have to disagree Hamish. Cards problems are due to the problems generally with the High Street. Hopefully Government will address these; reform of business rates for starters.

Card are now selling via other retail outlets Aldi and Matalan there is also an on line presence. Personally I think that there is too much trading and not enough investing hopefully small investors can hoover up this stock and collect their dividends rather than go for quick profits as the price rises and falls for a quick buck.

Many retailers bring in additional staff for the Christmas period and let them go thereafter and I see nothing unusual in that. The next “events” are Valentines Day, Mother’s Day and Easter - all good for a business like Card Factory. The next trading update should make interesting reading.

All High Street retailers are having a bad time at present. Big names closing stores, local authorities bemoaning loss of Business Rate income due to empty property. Landowners under pressure to renegotiate lease and rent agreements. Punters with less money in their pockets or just an unwillingness to spend it.

We have a budget on 11 March and hopefully the chancellor will include some measurers to at the very least increase confidence and hopefully spending even if it is a kick the problem down the road such as a review of Business Rates, taxation changes or even a few pounds in peoples pockets. A lot of Card Factory customers are older folk or they seem to be and if the triple lock in respect of pensions is maintained that sector alone may have a little more in the pocket and purse to spend. Live in Hope.

Difficult one this. Lots of pressure on the business. Most employees are probably on minimum or living wage these plus pension costs will no doubt impact further. The High Street where most outlets are. Business Rates, rental costs, all before the punters get to the shops. Extortionate car parking charges and parking restrictions in most towns and then the great and the good wonder why no one goes there anymore. Take a look at the customer base and social trends most seem to be older people and whilst they do seem to spend the money always question at the tills. is there likely to be resistance to price rises many cards are 59p / 99p. What impact if prices rise 65p / £1.15 margins must already be tight. Fewer Christmas cards seem to be being sent these days and will there be a move away from cards in general?

Might be worth monitoring for a few weeks then a small buy with a realistic stop loss position and hope for continued dividends and slow upward movement but is not a buy and forget stock.

Good Old Fashioned Rip Off in my view. If it does represent the real cost then let us see the figures. Personally I get a bit fed up with being asked to donate my shares to charity. I am not a philanthropic society.

What is perhaps the greatest unfairness in this sorry saga is the fact that many shareholders holding their shares by way of nominee accounts are required to pay either a £25 fee (a figure I have seen quoted on this board) in order to vote one way or the other, or to be effectively disenfranchised and left with no say. I would far rather wait perhaps for years for the share price to rise and dividends to again be paid than lose my investment.

Had one today as well. Does make mention that if you hold shares through an intermediary you need to instruct them how to vote on your behalf. Mine has to date remained silent has anyone else been contacted by theirs or ignited contact with what result?

To follow feileb’s rational is dependant on interest rates remaining at their current levels, the ability of the company to deliver existing contracts on time and on budget, retain existing contracts, win new ones hence I suspect the desire to get the debt sorted in the short as opposed to the long term.

Personally I would suggest that the rational is reasonable albeit very long term. It is also one thing to service debt by paying the interest it is another to reduce the capital amount outstanding.

Foe those already committed allI can say is hang on in there whether Coltrane and co are friends to private investors or are perusing their own agenda remains to be seen.

Good results the only down side is the statement that dividend is to be maintained and whilst good news this takes us to 2023. On the one hand certainty for dividend investors assuming of course present sales v costs are maintained. The down side is that there is no optimism in respect of growth and this is what may be depressing the share price. That said as pointed out in the statement uncertainty political and macro economic continues. Good to see plans to reduce debt though. All in all a good long term hold albeit at the risk of becoming a plodder.

Scarredback wrote " employees are more important than shareholders IMHO" I agree peoples livelihoods are often overlooked which is wrong but we are. 'All in this together'

So debt is exchanged for equity and perhaps a sale raises some more much needed funds and debt is further reduced. This means less interest to pay and leaves room for a small dividend eighteen to twenty four months down the line. The Fit for Growth programme may produce further savings all to the good. The share price rises shareholders whoever they are start albeit slowly to recover their losses.

If the company can continue to win contracts and deliver on existing ones this could just work. If you have lost money already you have nothing more to loose so hang on in there.

Put very very simply. ‘Is someone telling porkie pies?’ If it is the company then surely that is market abuse as investors, staff and customers could be misled. If it is the press well it sells newspapers, grabs the attention and with little or no consequences except for investors, staff and customers. What a mess. Hopefully the company will come out fighting on Monday.

Let's hope for a cold winter then.

My heart bleeds for the likes of AJ Bell Halifax etc. who are caused a lot of work what a shame; hope it causes them as much work to pocket their commissions fees and charges etc. Have to say that HL got mine to me on time so best thing to do is vote with the feet.

Pleasantly surprised to receive a card in the post today without even having to ask for it. Well done Marston’s, Now to find a suitable house to take Mrs Top Link out for a meal.