Wh Smith Share Discussion Threads

[mike24] 26/4/2005 15:15

the airport shops seem to be doing good business, but our local out of town
store seems dead on weekdays, the real pain for retailers is high rents
and business rates, comm landlords will get their fingers burnt trying to
sqeeze every last penny, instead of easing off and looking after their customer
the "tenant"

[impecunious] 03/4/2005 09:32

Big rise on friday. Any specific reasons?

Are half year results due on 22/04/05? Any hints on how these will go (as there were ahead of trading update earlier in year? Perhaps Ottakers results give a pointer.

[daverob] 31/1/2005 10:45

Ordinaries up today 2% so far - presumably because of the Apax Partners bid for Woolies ?

Anybody any views ? (And also about my C shares....!)

[daverob] 26/1/2005 16:24

Its a long term buy for me - either new management will revive it or there will be a bid again. Which is why I wanted to hang onto shares.

Back to the C shares - up 8% today as well, again on no volume !!!

[andy_bristol] 26/1/2005 14:47

WHS is still a short in my books....cannot compete with the likes of Tesco....£3 by March.

[daverob] 25/1/2005 13:37

Calling all WH Smith experts ! I've just realised my (apparently stupid) decision to not redeem the C shares issued last autumn (at 85p) now means I'm left in with the other very small minority in shares that are now worth only c56p (according to MM's).

Any one have any views why the price on these is so low, especially since the main shares have recovered since November ? Or is this a trading opportunity ? I would have thought that someday Smiths will redeem these - and if there is a takeover there might well be a premium on offer ?

What got me thinking is the 7% rise on these today (on no volume !)

[impecunious] 15/1/2005 10:44

In the FT today (page 4), reported that the OFT is expected to announce (as early as February) on the subject of wholesale distribution in the publishing sector. States that there currently three players - Menzies, Dawson and WH Smith. Publishers grant regional monopolies to one of the players.

Apparently guidance due because the law that has prevented third parties (eg. supermakets) challenging the status quo lapses in May in accordance with prevailing European law.

This appears to suggest that some of the WH Smith contract could be challenged and/or a greater degree of price competiton is on the horizon. Does anyone know more about this and the likely implications for WH Smith's prospects?

Isn't the wholesale arm of Smith's currently the profitable bit?

[ajm123] 09/1/2005 22:38

definite sell !

[impecunious] 08/1/2005 11:47

Any views on recent rises? Saw mention of rumour of progress on margins. No mention on level of sales though. Presumably any progress which may have been achieved has been through cost cutting ...?

The general message from retailers appears to be one of challenging times in 2005.

[ydderf] 30/12/2004 13:55

handycam, you brought a tear to my eye, unfortunately there is nil chance of a divi cut because it would be impossible with predators circling, and kate having put some serious dosh into the shares at 326p . i would welcome it though because it would be an opportunity to buy back the shares i have sold xd...oh and btw, smiths doesn't need your dosh, it already has nearly £3bn of sales to work with!

[ydderf] 23/12/2004 04:52

closed 321.75 yesterday, so jamiedodger and other non-thinkers - who is right? The analists predicting a disastrous christmas, the journos lapping up the pr spin......or the MASTER?

[ydderf] 13/12/2004 15:57

jamiedodger - write out 100 times " i must think for myself if i am to make any serious dosh in the stockmarket and not believe everything i read put out by pr interests trying to get the price down' - oh and by the way they're UP today! lolol

[jamiedodger] 12/12/2004 21:55

Article stating this a big 'sell' in todays sunday telegraph. Seems like another retail stock whose price is propped up only by bid speculation.

[the pixie] 06/12/2004 22:54

Even after the analysts giving this the thumbs up today, I still see this as a deadcert short stock until they sort out their direction.

[pineapple1] 06/12/2004 13:23

Well after all that activity it seems to be slipping back a little.I wonder if the venture capitalists are coming for another nibble soon although i would have expected them to wait till the new year

[pineapple1] 06/12/2004 12:25

LOL......Wasn't he the evil one off doctor who

[ydderf] 06/12/2004 12:23

pineapple1 - the only thing going on may be value appreciation by those investors able to think for themselves instead of swallowing all they read or hear from lesser minds than the MASTER'S

[pineapple1] 06/12/2004 12:17

something going on?????

[ydderf] 06/12/2004 12:17

as you can see from price action, my analysis that there is 'something going on' is spot on yours truly THE MASTER! lololol

[biscuit2] 06/12/2004 11:25

The Travel business turnover is tiny compared to the rest of the business and WHS News is a very mature business with low growth, also I beleive it is next year that the news distribution industry will be opened up to competition. i think they'd claim it is too early to give a profits warning as they still have the biggest sales weeks to go.

[smartypants] 06/12/2004 11:17

Do you all get that ?
If they are gona update on 19th Jan, then they are NOT gona give an imminent warning

[recruiter] 06/12/2004 10:51

do they own their own properties ?

[ydderf] 06/12/2004 10:42

as ever, no mention of the news distribution and travel businesses which account for nearly half their proifts its as if they are invisible.....fine by me, i hope to buy more at 288

[biscuit2] 05/12/2004 19:06

I believe the company has tried several times to go for margin, which it acheives but at the cost of sales, then it goes for sales at the cost of margin and it just yo yos between the 2 year after year, what the market is wanting to see is sales and margin been driven together. You can only cut costs so far before the business starts to get damaged. If the company isn't promoting it's goods on price then it must be appealing on the basis of shopping experience etc, in which case Waterstones, HMV and Ottakers are competing. It is trapped on both sides. Clinton cards stores are alot better for cards as well and are now appear to be situated fairly close to WHS stores. If I saw them selling new excitng products then I maybe persuaded that they are attempting to turn around but it seems to be more of the same this year, how will the out come be any different??