Member Info for Wednesday

Big believer that live sport is one advantage of tv over the streamers. No one wants to watch it after the event and you lose to much quality at the moment on a larger device.

That said not sure this deal will generate enough interest and it is only until end of the season. Rugby was a great call, terrestial tv also has the advantage of selling an inclusive presentation of their sport to the governing bodies. Your sport is free for all people not just the minority that has sky sports....

CEO statement states that special divis are the preferred method of returning value back to shareholders. This gives them the option though to buyback in the event (perhaps) of brexit and reduction in share price.

Just my take.

A really strong set of results by nearly all metrics, commitment to special divi for next two years. What's not to like! :)

Just bought back in, oversold in my opinion. Good divi, well covered, generates cash. Should benefit from reduced rents. As others have said long term questions on high street. Good luck all

Thanks Mark

Last couple of years Barratt have issued a trading update, the equivalent to this Friday - not mentioned on investor relations anyone seen anything?

Historical low, resilient to Brexit (although weak pound may not help). Previous years the trading update in Jan has been positive. Good Divi.

These are my reasons, accept the negatives but willing to take risk at the price.

Seen a couple of mentions of being worried about divi money potentially being diverted to share buybacks....and that being a worry.

If I am correct in my understanding, both are a way of returning value to the shareholders, in the case of share buybacks this is because the BoD believe the share is undervalued so take the opportunity to reduce number of share in issue. Either way as an investor you benefit (although appreciate sometimes it can be nicer to hold cash)

The BBC report today's budget - it also mentions something about splitting the windfall that landowners get when planning permission is given (and using it to build social housing). I am not sure if Barratt tends to buy land with consent or if it seeks it itself.

Chancellors always like to have something of a surprise up their sleeve for Budget day and many people I have spoken to believe that this year it will be on housing.

Mr Hammond is keen to show that the government is doing something for "generation rent" - often younger people who cannot afford to clamber on the housing ladder.

I expect that Sir Oliver Letwin's final report on the substantial disconnect between the amount of land granted planning permission and the number of actual houses built to be published alongside the Budget.

The former Tory government minister is likely to recommend speeding up the "build out permissions" process which could help the government hit the target of constructing 300,000 new houses a year.

Have read an article about CF trialing a display stand at the end of an aisle in 10 Aldi stores, although so was a competitor. They have also taken some space in Office Outlet (formerly Staples) in 6 of their stores.

Looks like they are aggressively pushing sales....

Looks like it is due to a fund taking a 5% stake. As a holder obviously pleased.

Hi Arsenal

What you say about debt is true, but it was reduced at year end, so is around 15m up from then. Could well be that Christmas period generates excess cash, so they use this each year to pay down debt.

Still think 90m profit, for a company called at 650m, seems a low valuation, even with tough trading conditions.

Not great results in my eyes, minimum special and falling LFL sales. Would let this pass, but also an increase in debt.

New lows today?

Hi Village

I think you have about summed up the current position. However the company is still making around £90m profit per year and returning a large part of that to shareholders. Compare this to JD who announced record £121m profit and have a market cap of 5bill (card is £650m isn't it)

Cards are dying out, but they do also sell party accessories / balloons and small presents. From what they say there are new markets such as 'thank you teacher', plus I suspect most of us buy an actual card for mothers day/fathers day and main birthdays etc....

Deffo not a growth stock and they do produce their own cards so seem to have costs under control more than for example Clinton's.

I also visit local shops to me and they do seem busy, which is not the worse sign, threats come from supermarkets, the works / poundshops etc imo, not online (moonpig) as this is expensive in comparison.

Have to say think it is a touch oversold but do have longer term concerns.

Doesn't look a great update to me. Anyone thinking different?

The card factory website says there well be s trading update tomorrow. Fingers crossed. :)

But of a mixed bag, some good news, but figures aren't actually that good. Struggling to see how market may react..... any ideas?

Thanks Weyland. My target is also £2.50, which i believe is achievable with the right management of the business. Not sure it will happen prior to XDD, but happy to collect divi until it does or i need too reassess. EPOS has now rolled out across all shops and should assist with reordering, stock mangement and improved product design lead times. Obvs all imho.

Next update is due on 9th August. I re- read the full year results from May and have to say, there is a lot of positivity. I accept special had been cut (makes sense due to debt levels) and lower LFL sales, but this was over a particular bad quarter for the high street. Plus expansion potential in RoI. Anecdotally, the shops near me are always busy (i make a point of going in).

Shares plunge 13% on lower than expected subscriber numbers. But i thought opportunity cost....