Marks And Spencer Share Discussion Threads

[nickward] 02/8/2011 12:41

Isis

US sorted their budget, and still there is a problem. The looming double dip recession is the problem. Everyone is downsizing, M&S customers go to Sainsbury, Sanisbury customers to Teso, Tesco customers go to Asda, Asda customers go to Morrisons, Morrisons cutomers go to Aldai or Lidel. So the net effect is M&S have less customers and the likes of Aldi and Lidel have more.
That is my philosophy and it appears to be working as my short on M&S is well in profit to date.

[isis] 29/7/2011 12:42

Well another way to look at it, despite the Recession or whatever the population of the UK is not getting any smaller and they are all buying stuff somewhere.
Admittedly there are thousands of places to buy TV's and Computers but there is only one M&S. ;-))

BUDGE UP! World's population due to hit 7BILLION this year - up one billion in the past 10 years
Population expected to reach 10billion by 2100
Experts say almost all the growth will occur in less developed regions like Africa
Population in developed countries like UK to remain flat - but will age
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:09 AM on 29th July 2011

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The world's population looks set to smash through the seven billion barrier this year - an increase of one billion in just a decade.
Findings also reveal that by 2050 the world's population will swell to over nine billion.
The 10 billion mark is expected to be passed by 2100, although depending on birth rates the population could be as high as 15.8 billion at the start of the 22nd Century.
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Populations of developed countries such as the UK and USA will remain flat, but will age, with fewer adults of working age to support those who have retired
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, USA, in conjunction with the UN, said the swelling population size would bring 'unprecedented global economic demographic upheaval'.

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They also claim that almost all (97 per cent) of the projected 2.3 billion increase in population will occur in less developed regions, with nearly half (49 per cent) in Africa.
By contrast, the populations of developed countries such as the UK and U.S. will remain flat, but will age, with fewer adults of working age to support those who have retired and are living on pensions.

Countries and areas classified by fertility level - large swathes of Africa have a high fertility level but most of Europe is low
While the world's population took until 1800 to reach one billion, it has grown rapidly in the past two centuries, swelling from three to seven billion in the last half century alone.
In 2011 135 million people are predicted to be born, while 57 million will die - a net increase of 78 million people.
There is some debate over how accurate the projections are, with changes in birth rates meaning that by 2050 the population could be two billion lower than predicted, at eight billion, and by 2100 it could be as low as 6.2 billion, or as high as 15.8 billion.

Experts claim that almost all (97 per cent) of the projected 2.3 billion increase in population will occur in less developed regions, with nearly half in Africa
Study author Professor David Bloom, from the department of economics and demographics at Harvard University, said: 'Although the issues immediately confronting developing countries are different from those facing the rich countries, in a globalized world demographic challenges anywhere are demographic challenges everywhere.
'The world's population has grown slowly for most of human history. It took until 1800 for the population to hit 1 billion.
'However, in the past half-century, population jumped from 3 to 7 million. 'In 2011, approximately 135 million people will be born and 57 million will die, a net increase of 78 million people. Considerable uncertainty about these projections remains.

Population for countries grouped by fertility level 1950 - 2100
'Depending on whether the number of births per woman continues to decline, the ranges for 2050 vary from 8.1 to 10.6 billion, and the 2100 projections vary from 6.2 to 15.8 billion.'
Prof Bloom, whose teams' results are printed in journal Science added: 'Population trends indicate a shift in the 'demographic centre of gravity' from more to less developed regions.
'Already strained, many developing countries will likely face tremendous difficulties in supplying food, water, housing, and energy to their growing populations, with repercussions for health, security, and economic growth.'
He concluded: 'The demographic picture is indeed complex, and poses some formidable challenges.
'Those challenges are not insurmountable, but we cannot deal with them by sticking our heads in the sand.
'We have to tackle some tough issues ranging from the unmet need for contraception among hundreds of millions of women and the huge knowledge-action gaps we see in the area of child survival, to the reform of retirement policy and the development of global immigration policy.
'It's just plain irresponsible to sit by idly while humankind experiences full force the perils of demographic change.'


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[gruss] 29/7/2011 12:38

Alpha have just upgraded to add and another minow broker has reiterated to sell.

I know what I'm doing!

[isis] 29/7/2011 12:27

That's just nonsense.

You could have a pop at any FTSE share at the moment but be careful if the US sort their Budget out. ;-))

[nickward] 29/7/2011 08:48

isis

Maybe there will be some international growth, but overseas operations cost a lot to set up and if the home market doesn't perform then any growth in overseas markets will easily be cancelled out.

[isis] 28/7/2011 13:32

nick - hopefully we'll be getting some International growth here within the next year.

UK is still a bit of a problem admittedly.

[nickward] 28/7/2011 12:32

Still short, this little baby is a very lucrative short from my 400p entry point. As long as we have Osborn and Cameron running the show there won't be any growth. This won't be helped by a recent CBI Iindustrial Trends Survey that showed a net balance of 10% of industrial firms say they will have to cut employment in the next three months. Infact I predict a slip back into recession within 6 months. Those brokers tipping 460 are dreaming well into the future or they just want to get their big clients out at a decent price so beware!

[gruss] 22/7/2011 10:13

Its that time of the week that the wags start spinning the old chestnut story.

[essentialinvestor] 21/7/2011 15:49

Head Offfice costs and non shop related staff could be looked at again imv.
Not the shop floor staff, they shape the customer
experience and help drive growth.

Big opportunity in food to grab share from the middle market resturants imo.
The squeeze on disposable incomes may help this, lots more meal deals
on the way I reckon - Bolland is the master of marketing.

[gruss] 15/7/2011 18:57

A few broker notes.

15.7. Nomura 460 buy
15.7. HSBC 450 UPGRADE from 440 overweight
14.7. JP Morgan overweight again sticking at 460.

[isis] 13/7/2011 16:27

Brazilian-cut knickers save M&S blushes
It will have them blushing in the Shires. But Brazilian-cut knickers appear to have come to the rescue of Marks & Spencer.

More than 500,000 pairs of Brazilian-cut knickers have been sold in the last three months.
By James Hall9:02AM BST 13 Jul 201145 Comments
The retailer has sold 500,000 pairs of them over the last three months in a three-for-£10 deal, up 64pc on last year.
Swimming costumes are up 50pc on last year, and £49.50 maxi-dresses have been selling like hot cakes.
Elsewhere though, clothes have not exactly being flying off the shelves at the retailer.
M&S said today that like-for-like sales at its clothing division were flat over the 13 weeks to July 2. This compares with City expectations of a rise of around 1pc.
M&S has had to put its prices up due to rising commodity costs, meaning that the number of individual garments that it actually sold fell compared with last year.
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Marc Bolland, M&S's chief executive who will today face shareholders for the first time at his debut AGM, said that the company is prepared for a tough few months ahead. "We are cautious about the outlook," he said.
The flat sales should come as no surprise. The British Retail Consortium said this week that womenswear sales in June fell by the largest amount so far this year.
The mood music on the high street grimmer than it has been for years as consumers' pocket money is whacked by high inflation.
Interestingly, Bolland said that although M&S shoppers are attracted to its entry-price 'basic' ranges, its higher-priced 'better' and 'best' lines have seen stronger sales. In tough times, customers want quality, he says.
Analysts said that the trading update was "relatively reassuring". The key word here is relative. Given the dire trading at other high street chains, M&S is actually gaining market share.
Food sales have been better at M&S, rising by 3.3pc on a like-for-like basis over the quarter. More innovation and new products have helped things here.
But in general the consumer economy remains tricky. "We are seeing that people are keen to protect their summer holidays and so are keen to reduce their spending in some areas. They are cutting out on dining out, for example," says Bolland, adding that rising petrol prices are a key issue.
He will put a brave face on it today at M&S's vast AGM at London's Royal Festival Hall. He will explain to M&S's legion of loyal, conservative and elderly private shareholders – who will be hungry, thirsty, happy, grumpy and verbose in equal measure – that the chain is holding its own in a tough market. He will also outline M&S's ambitions for growing in India, China and Europe, emphasising that there is more to M&S than the UK.
I wonder whether he will mention the Brazilians.

[isis] 13/7/2011 10:29

Royal Wedding helps boost Marks & Spencer sales
By Peter Cripps, PA
Wednesday, 13 July 201





Marks & Spencer reported an increase in sales growth today after it received a boost from bank holidays due to the royal wedding and Easter.

The retail bellwether said like-for-like sales grew by 1.7% in the 13 weeks to July 2, up from the 0.1% increase in the previous quarter.

The group grew its share of the food market after it launched new products including healthy eating options and customers snapped up party food to help celebrate the royal wedding and run of bank holidays.

It also halted a recent decline in non-food sales, including clothes and homewares.

The better-than-expected results were announced ahead of the company's annual meeting today in which chief executive Marc Bolland faces a potential revolt over executive pay, which has been branded excessive by one lobby group.

The company said like-for-like food sales grew by 3.3%, helped by the launch of 500 new ranges in the quarter, including healthy eating products, Tuscan meats and Italian antipasti dishes.

Its Simply Fuller Longer snack range saw sales growth of more than 50% as the retailer grew its healthy eating lines.

Meanwhile, its non-food like-for-like sales were flat, compared with a decline of 3.4% in the previous quarter. However, volumes of non-food were down although M&S continued to grow its share of the market as cash-strapped consumers put off non-essential purchases.

Mr Bolland reported an increase in sales of its premium ranges as consumers traded up as part of a "buy once, buy well" trend. He said the group had increased choice of its better and best ranges to tap into demand for quality products.

Average selling prices were 7% up in the quarter, up from 6% in the previous quarter as a result. About a third of the price hikes were caused by input price inflation with the rest as a result of trading up.

But customers were also buying basic ranges, added the Dutchman, who said the chain, which has 703 stores in the UK, had sold 500,000 Brazilian-cut knickers, which were up 64%, after being placed on a buy-three-for-£10 deal.

Its advertising campaign had also paid off, with an Autograph suit modelled by former footballer Jamie Redknapp breaking sales records, added Mr Bolland.

He said consumer confidence had been stable in May and June although the trading environment remained challenging.

Shares were down 3% following the update. Analysts had expected like-for-like sales growth of 1.5%.

[robertfaulkner] 13/7/2011 08:54

Talk about Buy on the rumour sell on the fact. Down 8.25p so far today

[nicd] 13/7/2011 07:43

interim out, looks Ok, not outstanding, hope market will be kind

[dugganjoe] 08/7/2011 22:43

dugganjoe - 7 Jul'11 - 18:43 - 2632 of 2639 edit

When will that juicy dividend hit my account?

killieboy - 7 Jul'11 - 19:39 - 2633 of 2639

dugganjoe - 15 Jul.




nice

[gruss] 08/7/2011 19:39

Analysts at Oriel Securities said they expected the figures to show further market share gains to leave the closely watched like-for-like sales measure in general merchandise down 0.5%, but up 1.5% in food.

'With the shares trading on just 10.6x March 2012 earnings and an impressive recovery in prospect, we remain happy buyers of M&S with a 525p price target,' they said in a research note earlier this week.

[artnouveau] 08/7/2011 19:14

Rumour mill persisting in tonight's Evening Standard regarding possible joint bid by Qatari/Sainsbury bid. Yes I know, that old chestnut.


How it would pass mergers and monopolies lord knows.

Surely the share price is rising as punters believe M&S is keeping pace with John Lewis and Next.

ArtN

[breliz] 08/7/2011 16:00

Notwithstanding bad employment figures from across the pond

[isis] 08/7/2011 12:52

I've been buying some stuff lately from M&S online and have to say their service, descriptions and quality are extremely good.
Unlike some they allow you to cancel things, change them or rearrange dates when you've done your order with no hassle.
I think they were one of the first to do the store collect and refund service also.

I expect good things from these in the future, especially the overseas expansion.

[killieboy] 07/7/2011 19:39

dugganjoe - 15 Jul.

[dugganjoe] 07/7/2011 18:43

When will that juicy dividend hit my account?