Lloyds Banking Share Discussion Threads

[xxxxxy] 06/10/2020 13:33

We're back!We have been overwhelmed by all the lovely emails and messages from subscribers after last week's announcement that the Global Vision daily brief was stopping, and we are incredibly grateful to the generous donor who has stepped in to help us continue for another month. We are hoping to raise enough funding to keep providing the service through to 2021. Please consider chipping in if you can - you can donate securely here.Finally, if you enjoy the daily brief, please do forward to a friend and encourage them to subscribe here.In today's brief: Germany attempts to protect lucrative trade surplus as Barnier pleads with France to drop unreasonable fisheries demands. Meanwhile, the UK eyes closer financial services alignment with non-EU countries and British ice cream is exported to the Middle East.Germans panic over potential no-deal: As trade negotiations enter a decisive fortnight, Germany's Foreign Minister has said that, now more than ever, a Brexit deal is needed as they try and cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus. One key aim for the Germans will be protecting their healthy trade surplus with the UK. If negotiations break down over France's ridiculous 'status quo' fishing demands, it could seriously hinder their economic recovery. Heiko Maas said that there is "more at stake today than a year ago" and warned that both sides would be "totally irresponsible" to let No Deal happen. I think it might be time he gave Macron a call. "Our door remains open for a close and ambitious partnership with Great Britain. That is and remains our goal," said Maas. This all comes after Barnier's trip to Berlin where he met Angela Merkel to discuss the negotiation and secure her blessing for him to explore further compromises. UK negotiators have welcomed the words but warned Germany must push for action and a softening of the bloc's unreasonable demands. Fisheries provides the key as UK urges EU to move: This week Barnier will phone around fisheries ministers from coastal states and ask them to soften their position. What could go wrong? EU officials are increasingly worried about France's hard-line fisheries stance blocking progress in the talks, with the UK making clear that under no circumstances can the post-Brexit fishing industry look anything like the 'status quo'. Indeed, anything of that nature would not sufficiently honour the result of the referendum.This morning, the Prime Minister's spokesman said that "if the gaps on fisheries are going to be bridged, we need more realism from the EU on the scale of change that results from our departure". The EU negotiating team are coming to London tomorrow with Barnier likely to arrive late on Thursday for a meeting between the two chief negotiators the following day.Truss hits out at trade deal fear mongering: Liz Truss has clashed with a government advisor and ally of Michael Gove after they warned that a trade deal with the US could lead to an increase in obesity. Truss has been clear on this throughout negotiations and has again made clear that "when we are negotiating our trade agreements we are not going to be changing UK food standards, which dictates how much fat there is in baby milk and other rules and regulations". Ms Truss added that it was not a case of dismissing the UK's obesity problem and said: "Oh, it's the fault of the Americans, the fault of whoever else we might be striking a trade deal with. These are domestic issues...and I feel it's a displacement issue going on."Goldman Sachs backs sterling: Goldman Sachs is advising its clients to buy sterling as analysts predict that the UK and EU could reach a post-Brexit trade deal by early November. The US investment bank said that while the risk of a breakdown in negotiations could not be ruled out, their "core view" was that a "thin zero-tariffs/zero-quota trade agreement will likely be struck early November, and subsequently ratified by the end of December."This comes after a joint statement by Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen injected some more political will into the talks, with both sides urging their negotiators to try and bridge the significant gaps that remain. UK eyes global financial services market: Yesterday Rishi Sunak revealed that the UK would look to align its financial services regulation with major economic powers outside the EU. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, he said that the government will "review our regulatory framework" on financial services and that "not being inside the EU more generally gives us a chance to do things differently" allowing us to focus on aligning regulation with the likes of New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. British ice cream is a hit in the Middle East: Devon-based ice cream and sorbet producer Granny Gothards has scooped a £3 million deal to supply a buyer in the Middle East. The company is celebrating a major contract to send 56 different ice cream flavours to a firm in Dubai with exports now accounting for 60% to 70% of their sales, up from 35% before the lockdown. I wonder if Sky News will jump on this story like they did the news that the UK has exported plastic riot shields to the US?Yesterday Liz Truss announced the Prime Minister had made fifteen new appointments to the Trade Envoy programme, extending the total number of Trade Envoys to 31 parliamentarians covering 69 markets. Many Conservative MPs will now help to further promote post-Brexit Britain across the globe. Brussels new art school green plan: The EU are pushing forward with their climate goals but this time with a new strategy. Ursula and the Commission have pledged to revive Bauhaus, the experimental art school founded in interwar Germany to 'marry artistic form with functional design'. Just to put this into perspective, that's like the British government looking to Goldsmiths University for its energy policy, although judging by the latest wind power news maybe we're not that far off! If the highest rungs of EU politics today laud the school as an example of how to approach the challenges facing modern society, how will such a freewheeling approach work in practice - particularly given the EU's penchant for paperwork, annual reports and regular audits? I would suggest not very well.Lords attempt to frustrate Immigration Bill: Despite the Immigration Bill passing its initial stages in the Commons, the Lords have now approved five amendments while scrutinising it, including the so-called Dubs amendment. Home Office Minister Baroness Williams said that the UK had made a "credible and serious" offer to the EU to agree new arrangements; and that it wouldn't be right to undermine those negotiations through domestic legislation. However, the Lord's attempts to frustrate the democratic will of the British people will likely be in vain as the Bill is set to return to the Commons for approval where the amendments are unlikely to stay.For the latest news and developments throughout the day, please do follow @GlobalVision_UK on Twitter.Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your day.

[minerve 2] 06/10/2020 13:22

So..........

One of my more pedestrian stocks I own from time-to-time is National Grid. Sometimes, also SSE. I'm intrigued by the valuation of UK gas assets - particular the grid - going forward as on the face of it with environmental pressures one would expect asset values to perhaps fall. Yet it seems the grid can be used to pipe all sorts of gases that may help towards our emissions targets, including the use of hydrogen. As an investor of Berkshire Hathaway my interest was piqued by Buffett's enthusiasm to purchase a company which owns a massive pipeline that runs across The States. Energy companies are under great investor pressure to be seen to be doing the right thing and some of these companies - already financially stretched - are eagerly selling off what one would initially suspect has limited lifespan but in reality could be a much sought after green asset. Buffett is onto something here. So with Boris banding on about spending billions on new energy and - in particular - hydrogen technology could 'the grid' be a currently undervalued asset?

So Minerve - being the 24/7 ADVFN bore that he is - goes on his research and finds this (some of this I already knew):

The UK network is owned by 4 entities: SGN, NGN, Cadent Gas & Wales & West Utilities.

Now look at the owners:

NGN: Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, Power Assets Holdings & SAS Trustee Corporation

SGN: SSE plc (33.3%)
Borealis Infrastructure Europe (UK) Limited (ultimately OMERS) (25%)
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (25%)
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (16.7%).

WWU: CK Infrastructure Holdings or CKI, is the largest publicly listed infrastructure company in Hong Kong with diversified investments in energy infrastructure, transportation Infrastructure, water Infrastructure and infrastructure related business, parented by CK Hutchison Holdings, businessman Li Ka Shing's flagship company.

Cadent Gas: A consortium (that holds 61%) including: Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, CIC Capital, Allianz Capital Partners, Hermes Investment Management, Qatar Investment Authority
and National Grid plc (39%)



WTF? Why even bother with Brexit? It is mostly foreign owned already!

Anyway, if you want some of this potential upside on the repositioning and revaluation of gas assets going forward SSE and NG do still have some interests - but not much. Other than that join me in becoming a Berkshire Hathaway investor. :)

[pandy999] 06/10/2020 12:51

My doctor retired early cos he was paid to much . You could give some people a house and still couldn't afford all the overheads to live there.

[freddie01] 06/10/2020 12:49

Jaguar Land Rover raises UK production after post-lockdown sales boost


Sales in China are actually up on last year and JLR hopes the worst of the COVID disruption is in the rear view mirror.

[k38] 06/10/2020 12:48

Poor you.. is that what you left with in your life? .. lol"I'm happy to challenge you to an intellectual debate anytime.

[alphorn] 06/10/2020 12:18

Yesterday it was like a fox in the chicken coop with the arch Exit posters on here.

Some very strange posts like a panic. There is no concrete news and patience IMO will be rewarded for those that do anything more than post as if on an endless loop.

Probably cue for that poster with terminal Elm's disease to make some personal comment.

[minerve 2] 06/10/2020 12:10

Thickos, the lot of YA.

[minerve 2] 06/10/2020 12:10

You too k38.

Come and test me, dare YA!

[k38] 06/10/2020 12:00

24/7 .... lol

[minerve 2] 06/10/2020 11:57

maxk

I'm happy to challenge you to an intellectual debate anytime.

Just try me if you think you are of superior intellect.

You KNOW where to find me. ;)

[diku] 06/10/2020 11:48

Was it all faked to divert media attention from Biden...Trump was craving for attention after the 1st debate debacle...looks too staged...he will now use Covid in his debates as he has experienced it and knows a lot more about it then Biden and others...

[k38] 06/10/2020 11:40

Most of the remainers vote (can you believe it;) to stay because they've been told by the media... no holiday to Europe after Brexit, you will starve, all business will move overnight to Europe and so on and on..

Intelligence voters eh... lol.
What we need above all is to teach democracy at schools.

Careful "That is the weakness of democracy, it is limited by the intelligence of the voters"

[maxk] 06/10/2020 11:28

Have you Min?

[minerve 2] 06/10/2020 11:26

"That is the weakness of democracy, it is limited by the intelligence of the voters"

Have you looked in the mirror?

LOL!

[xxxxxy] 06/10/2020 11:23

Alien One6 Oct 2020 6:21AMTrump is a warrior, a fighter. That's what we need in our leaders hence Mrs Thatchers popularity. Sadly Our Boris has come across as a weaker leader in all respects. I have a very strong feeling Donald will be in the White House for another 4 years as the opposition, like our own opposition has become so deranged, that all they seem to be offering is chaos and destruction. For all our sakes I hope Trump wins in November. 

[xxxxxy] 06/10/2020 11:08

Exclusive: 99.3% of all UK businesses do NOT export to the EUBrexit Facts4EU.Org reveals what the Establishment's Remainers don't want you to know?© Brexit Facts4EU.Org 2020Project Fear's continuing doom-and-gloom about a 'no deal' Brexit is debunkedFacts4EU.Org has researched and analysed the official HMRC and Government data on all the businesses in the UK, to see just how many of these businesses will be affected if the EU continues to fail to negotiate reasonably and the UK then exits the EU on 31 December on WTO terms.Many readers – including those who voted Remain in 2016 - may find the following information to be shocking.BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARYFrom official Government and HMRC figures for 201999.3% of all UK businesses do NOT export goods to the EUEven after excluding sole traders, the picture is similar97.2% of the UK's 1.4 million employers do NOT export goods to the EUJust 39,000 UK employers export goods to the EUThat's only 2.8% of all employers – and yet they're dominating the EU trade deal debateMore than 5 million UK businesses neither import from, nor export to, the EUThe percentage of all UK businesses exporting goods to the EU?© Brexit Facts4EU.Org - click to enlargeThe percentage of all UK employers (excluding sole traders) exporting goods to the EU?© Brexit Facts4EU.Org - click to enlargeThe Establishment's claims are wrong – and misleadingFor years the Establishment - including the big businesses represented by the CBI and their political supporters - have sought to frame the debate about Brexit on what they claim would be the 'cliff edge' of an exit by the UK from the EU on 'WTO terms'. This type of exit is what Prime Minister Boris Johnson now refers to as leaving on "Australian terms".Almost all of the business information presented to the public by the BBC and other broadcasters has revolved around claims that "nearly 50% of UK exports go to the EU". Aside from the fact that this claim is false, (the true figure is 43% according to the House of Commons Library in July 2020), the public has been given the impression that half of our business is in peril from a 'no deal' Brexit.This is not the case, as can be seen from the official figures we have uncovered.This is about actual UK businesses and the real people working in themOur investigation shows that only a tiny number of the UK's businesses (39,000 out of a total of 5.9 million) actually sell goods to the EU27. Even stripping out all sole traders from the total number of UK businesses, this still leaves 1,409,950 employers. 39,000 is a very small proportion (2.8%) of these.Yes, it's true that the UK businesses selling goods to the EU tend to be larger, and therefore tend to employ more people per business, and to export in higher volumes. Nevertheless, they are relatively small in number and will most certainly have the resources to adapt quickly to a new trading environment. It remains the case that the vast majority of UK businesses will be unaffected by any new EU export arrangements.There are only 19,800 businesses in the UK employing 100 people or more. This leaves 5,848,000 businesses who employ the rest of us.So how much is the UK's goods export business to the EU worth?As stated above, Remainers have always sought to frame the Brexit debate around business numbers, which is one of the reasons they lost the UK's EU Referendum of 2016.Despite the fact that the Remain side continually cited export numbers, the reality is that the UK is the country which did worst out of all EU countries when it came to the Single Market and Customs Union. (This is according to the EU Commission itself – see our report here.)In May this year (2020) we published our research showing that the UK's goods exports to the EU represent only 7.7% of the UK's total economy.?© Brexit Facts4EU.Org - click to enlargeOBSERVATIONSAbove we have tried to put the business side of UK PLC into perspective for readers. When the CBI - which represents big business and which campaigned hard for Remain - speaks, the BBC jumps. Rarely did we hear anything from the BBC about the millions of small businesses which make up the backbone of the UK's economy.In late summer 2018 we were the first Brexit organisation to back a new business group, The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs, representing the interests of businesses with billions of pounds of turnover and who backed Leave. Founded by a brilliant young business lawyer named Tom Bohills, they successfully campaigned for the Brexit business voice to be heard. Nevertheless it has always been an uphill battle to get the pro-Brexit business voice heard when the BBC, Sky News and others seem to be so obsessed with pro-Remain voices.The Government must stand firm and resoluteIn the coming days and weeks we believe that the UK Government will attempt to strike some form of compromise deal with the European Union.Instead we urge them to do three things immediately:Repudiate the Withdrawal Treaty (including the Northern Ireland Protocol) on the grounds that the EU has acted in bad faith during the entirety of the negotiations, andStand firm and refuse to compromise on any trade deal involving a watering down of the UK's sovereignty and independence of action, andStart communicating effectively to the British public and to the rest of the worldTo all MPs who read our work, we stand ready to assist in any way for the achievement of the above objectives.Finally, where is the BBC on the information we have provided above? These are raw, basic facts. As the most prolific researcher and publisher of Brexit facts for almost five years, we urge any BBC journalist to contact us if they would like to report a more balanced view of the background to the UK-EU trade negotiations.As we won't be holding our breath, perhaps readers might like to consider supporting us with a donation today? Quick, secure, and confidential donation links are below this article. We desperately need your help to continue the fight for a free, independent, and sovereign United Kingdom on 01 Jan 2021.[ Sources: HMRC | BEIS (UK Dept for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Tues 06 Oct 2020

[k38] 06/10/2020 11:00

That's very true careful.. Just look the UK voters and remainers. The best example. Easy controlled by the media especially from the BBC. When you disrespect your PM or President there is only one way.. downhill!"That is the weakness of democracy, it is limited by the intelligence of the voters"

[utrickytrees] 06/10/2020 10:50

Trump insisted on just disinfectant.

[geckotheglorious] 06/10/2020 09:47

Finally got round to watching the new spitting image.
Appallingly bad. And the digs at Trump were awful. As was the whole programme.

It was far funnier back in the day..

[pal44] 06/10/2020 09:37

The twit Trump acting for cameras don't think he is is pukka fit comming days will tell

[chavitravi2] 06/10/2020 09:33

Scruff1, funny that, as I said earlier a top bloke at BoE said the opposite last week. I dont recall his name but he said no markers had been met.

[alphorn] 06/10/2020 09:11

mm2 - sounds good; well done. The very long hot and dry summer down south has burnt lots of stuff. Grapes though have been fantastic, perfect condition and plenty of sugar. 2020 will be a great year to stock the cellar.

[diku] 06/10/2020 09:11

Even a 10 year could have said that...




Goldman Sachs saying "A Brexit deal would significantly reduce the risk that the Bank of England would introduce negative interest rates."

[gaffer73] 06/10/2020 09:07

WTF FTSE down and LLOY up!