Marks And Spencer Share Discussion Threads

[blueteam] 07/11/2018 09:10

Here we go, report of a very interested buyer. Looked at the big holders and no sign of big activity. May come out of the blue. Will keep an eye on holding in company news over the next few weeks.

[qantas] 07/11/2018 09:07

Marks & Spencer said it was leaving "no stone unturned" in its efforts to restructure the business to thrive in the new retail environment where sales 3.1% in the first half of the year but underlying profits were higher. The retailer's food like-for-like sales fell 2.9% amid tough competition in the supermarket sector, while clothing and home sales shrank 1.1%.

Please do your own research.

[qantas] 07/11/2018 09:04

LATEST BROKER UPGRADE
Date Broker New target Recomm.
7 Nov Peel Hunt N/A Buy

Please do your own research.

[diku] 07/11/2018 09:03

Such a fantastic day for FTSE to be up and Mks down!...opportunity missed to trim the divi...

[diku] 07/11/2018 09:00

phil...sales need to grow for profits to keep going up...you cut the fat/costs to the bone then what...if sales are not growing?...




philanderer
7 Nov '18 - 08:41 - 7635 of 7638
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A summing up I heard an hour ago..

Profits up /Sales down..... managed by lower costs.

[philanderer] 07/11/2018 08:58

The usual...

Peel Hunt 'buy'
Liberum 'sell'


I'll continue to hold :-)

[ignoble] 07/11/2018 08:57

Going back a good few years , comments about Marks were that the quality is not what it was
Haven't heard that for many a year so hopefully they may regain the quality image.
Of late , I have no complaint.

[ignoble] 07/11/2018 08:51

Seem to be doing sensible things in tricky times.
Imho

[freedom97] 07/11/2018 08:48

Net debt has gone down 12.3%!

GBP1.78bn (18) GBP2.03bn (17) -12.3 %

[ignoble] 07/11/2018 08:43

Holly Willoughby range appeared to bring in a younger following.
Maybe it will continue ...

[philanderer] 07/11/2018 08:41

A summing up I heard an hour ago..

Profits up /Sales down..... managed by lower costs.

M&S loyal customers dying off and not being replaced at the same rate by a younger generation.

[diku] 07/11/2018 08:36

Should have trimmed the divi & pay down debt...think market would have taken it more positively...that would entice more possible bidders or looking to merge...

[ignoble] 07/11/2018 08:36

Was once told that a lot of Marks unsold food was then donated to local hospices and the like ...
Not sure if that is still the case

[essentialinvestor] 07/11/2018 08:34

Dine in created store footfall.
Now if MKS could not capitalise on that in cross selling opportunities,
particularly in non food, that points to a weakness in their overall offering.

[jakedog2] 07/11/2018 08:29

Margins down
Revenue down
Outlook narrative - most telling part of report IMHO

Closed our high st branch.... I will not travel the extra 20 mins to visit new store. Dine In removed & wine promotion offers removed. Savvy shoppers already caughton or will catch on.

New shop has no cafe.... was a cash cow in old shop. Poor business decision not to include in new design outlet

He mentions Oakham chicken at 350p..... used to get this with everything else for £10 Dine In

Reduced points for spending on M&S credit card.
Used to get point for every £2.... now £5 for a point. This was done without T&C's being update.... successfully challenged & received £100. Closed my card

Only speaking from personal experience

Sold at open for 309p for a small profit. GLAH

[essentialinvestor] 07/11/2018 08:19

The wastage in food at my local store is something to behold.

Their best hope is Amazon come knocking.

[blueteam] 07/11/2018 08:09

See the turn around has started on the business channels report. Bloomberg has this as a turn around play. Should see shorters closing in the coming weeks. See £3.50 - £4 as a short term goal.

[blueteam] 07/11/2018 08:03

profits up nearly 7%, should see this rise.

[debsdowner] 07/11/2018 07:58

Posted on Debenhams thread:

debsdowner
7 Nov '18 - 07:12 - 16936 of 16941 Edit
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Marks results out which are a surprise:

Revenue down -3.1%

Profit before tax & adjusting items(1) GBP223.5m (18) GBP219.1m (17)

Pre tax profit up 2% !

Basic earnings per share 5.4p (18) 5.2p (17) + 3.8 %

Dividend same 6.8p

Net debt GBP1.78bn (18) GBP2.03bn (17) -12.3 %

Free cash flow before adjusting items(2) GBP300.4m (18) GBP218.4m (17)
up 37.5 %

Clothing & Home revenue down 2.7% impacted by store closures, with like-for-like sales down 1.1%. Online Clothing sales growth ahead of market. Gross margin down 20bps as a result of sale timing

Comment:

I said Marks & Spencer was in a far better position than Debtenhams and their results prove it.

Online growth better than the market is good.

Net debt down 12.3% they are following John Lewis paying debt down the best they can.

Free cash flow up 37.5% good!

Any sensible investor would be better switching to Marks if they want a position in retailers imo.
debsdowner
7 Nov '18 - 07:30 - 16937 of 16941 Edit
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Marks Outlook:
Full year guidance 2018/19

Trading conditions remain challenging and the headwinds from the growth of online competition and the march of the discounters remain strong in all our markets. Therefore, as we embark on the difficult early stages of transformation we are expecting little improvement in sales trajectory.
-- In Clothing & Home we now expect a space reduction of c.4% (previously 5%) as at year end. Our programme remains on track
-- Capital expenditure remains under tight control and we expect it to be between GBP300-350m before disposals (previously GBP350-GBP400m)
-- All other full year guidance remains unchanged and is shown in detail on page 16

Comment:
Space reduction not as bad as previously indicated! Looks to me like Debenhams customers may be going to Marks without all the need for gyms!

[freedom97] 07/11/2018 07:29

Morning All,

Even though group revenue is down due to store closures, the important thing is that 'Profit after tax' is up 6.1%,!! excellent!!

[qantas] 07/11/2018 07:29

Well done profits up 2%

Please do your own research

[careful] 07/11/2018 07:24

Results slightly better than expected.
Pre tax profit before adjustment ahead.£223.5m
Div held at 6.8p.
No surprises here.

[diku] 06/11/2018 20:10

Just hope US mid term elections result don't put a dampner if there is a rise here...

[philanderer] 06/11/2018 19:11

See what the interims bring tomorrow.

Anything between 280p - 310p ;-)

[diku] 06/11/2018 18:11

Good to see it close above 300p...