Marks And Spencer Share Discussion Threads

[simon templar qc] 07/8/2012 18:13

Latest press comment from Drapers...



Broker Shore Capital said speculation surrounding M&S was unlikely to be "total flights of fancy or fiction", although acknowledged the retailer had not commented on the rumours.

And despite concerns around the UK's wider economy, and the underperformance of womenswear in particular, the analyst said it recommended the share as a buying opportunity because of M&S' "potential medium-term cash generation once the investment phase is complete and the benefits are harvested".

Those benefits include internationalisation and online as additional channels of distribution, Shore Capital said.

"We deem it to be a business the shares of which are not overrated," said the broker. "The stock also has very good income credentials.

Guardian on similar theme...



He added that Marks was on his buying list anyway, based on its medium-term cash generation prospects once it has completed its investment programme and it can reap the benefits:


Time will tell as to whether M&S is subject to a bid approach. The stock may be temporarily marked up on the back of the growing band of press stories. However, we deem that M&S' brand, market positions and stores to be worth a lot more than the present stock multiples. Accordingly, should bid talk become a lot more serious the upside should, to Shore Capital, be material.

[snatander] 07/8/2012 08:23

Think retail recovery is on the way, lots of M&S snackages to buy of the bid comes today :-)

[simon templar qc] 07/8/2012 08:22

Not sure we will hear news on bid today even if the part has arranged finance they would have a lot of paperwork to deal with and may wish to put an offer to company first.

Its looking quite good now as the UK is in party mood now and MKS is well know for party food and that could increase new customers for MKS.

[snatander] 07/8/2012 08:21

bid bid bid yes yes yes , ohhhhh yes

[snatander] 07/8/2012 08:16

massive spike to come here, hope for bid news today

[philo124] 07/8/2012 08:14

Anybody know the size of their Pension Deficit?

[simon templar qc] 07/8/2012 07:56

Retail sales helped by Olympics...



Marks are known for their party food.

[imastu pidgitaswell] 07/8/2012 07:54

They're not short of MKS, they're holders who have taken out shorts (or options) as a protection, should the price fall back.

Not a case of burning etc, nothing so emotional.

[druinsky] 07/8/2012 07:51

FT:

Clothing retailers were prominent after a positive broker note from JPMorgan, with Marks and Spencer jumping 2.4 per cent to 349.2p, boosted also by faint rumours the high street group was favourably priced as a takeover target, analysts said.
"The stock is up on reports that M&S is being viewed as a bid target by some banks,"

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 20:30

Well the shorters might get burnt then.

[miata] 06/8/2012 20:19

Astec Analytics analyst David Lewis said demand to borrow the stock to sell short had increased in recent days and could indicate a willingness by some to position for a price reversal if a bid fails to materialise.

The number of M&S shares out on loan has increased by almost a third since its results in mid-July and is now at 18 percent, against an index average "in the low single digits", Lewis said.

"A rising balance on loan given the takeover rumours suggests that there is an element of the market that is positioning itself to take advantage of the currently boosted share price falling back as the rumour runs out of steam," he said.

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 18:45

Pays your money and takes your choice. No one can deny the company has a good loyal base and prime positions on the high st. I happen to think MKS would be an ideal bid target for a number of parties.

[portside1] 06/8/2012 18:41

the poor always dream that is there life .the bid as been put out for the big boys to sell.

[old crow] 06/8/2012 17:02

So many dreamers

[druinsky] 06/8/2012 16:16

Bid talks should get highlighted in tomorrows papers

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 16:12

Brokers more possitive on retailers say FT...

[druinsky] 06/8/2012 15:42

Hopefully the bid confirmed in the morning and we will FLY!

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 12:27

More press reports..



Moneyweek..

[portside1] 06/8/2012 11:49

the only thing getting punters in to the shops are 70% discounts the rest of the store is dead .
last weeks meal deal failed and sold it off at 70% discount I bought quite a lot .

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 11:44

Mail...



"Paul Mumford, a fund manager at Cavendish Asset Management, told Bloomberg: 'It would be perfect for a private-equity firm. It's cash generative, it has a decent brand name, a food side which gives it a defensive quality and a portfolio of shop property in fairly prime positions.'

I concur with all that!

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 11:34

Could move up a lot further this afternoon when Dow opens.

[old crow] 06/8/2012 11:20

Snatander

Yes i am old sod of a Crow who has made 48k of profits this year already

if you have then the best of luck to you

We also own an apartment situated in the best position in one of the finest luxury real estate developments in Madeira
Yours for £640,000 if you want it

Cheers

[simon templar qc] 06/8/2012 11:20

I think there is some truth in then rumour with their prime shops customers will return to the High St and dessert the out of town Teco's. Customers are fickle but will come back. In any event the 5% yield will support the shares and with falling interest rates its a good punt at this price.

"0931: Marks&Spencer is now leading gains on the top share index on further news of possible buy-out interest"

[miata] 06/8/2012 10:01

06/08/12 08:41 353.17 476,452 O 348.7 349.3 Buy 1,491,948 717,013 0

Someone reckons there is sufficient mileage in this rumour to punt £1.7 million, watch for the sell.