Marks And Spencer Share Discussion Threads

[wllmherk] 07/3/2011 13:12

Nick,
as a fully paid up member of the Conservative Party I think it unlikely we are going to find common ground.
That said, I wish you well with your short position, but, suspect you may get burned as we now have a Gov who are addressing Britains finacial problems.

[nickward] 07/3/2011 10:27

Wllmherk,


Sorry, but I still think you don't get it. You are just repeating the rubbish you have heard in the media from Conservative party. The fact is that this happened in other countries such as America, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland etc. Were they all failing to regulate the banks and overspending on public services? I think not, but they were all over reliant on banking for their economies. Governments budget their public spending based on income from taxes and at the time Labour made its budgets the income was available. In addition they had to step in to save the private sector i.e. the Banks who were on the brink of wiping this country of the map on a monumental scale beyond the comprehension of most of the public. Labour have paid the price of saving capitalism, perhaps they should have let it melt down, which is what the Tories were in favour of when they were in opposition. I don't deny that things need to be done about the deficit, but blaming the last government is extremely narrow minded. Things would be far worse if they had not acted as they did.

As far as regulation of banks is concerned, you just have to take a look at George Osborne's wimpish deal with the banks last month and how he fears them probably because 50% of his parties funding comes from them. I doubt very much if the Tories had been in power at the time whether bank regulation would have been any different. I may be cynical but you really have to look at the reason why the present government are trying to lay the blame with previous government. The reason I think is, that if they get this cuts strategy wrong, they need someone else to blame and a large number of gullible people to believe them if they want to be re elected.

Anyway, just like the banks we can all make money out of other people's misfortune. My short on M&S and Next are going well. I have now heard that Next (who supported the cuts in a letter to the Government and also claimed they could help create enough jobs to fill the void) have had to put most of their shop staff on reduced hours. This is to avoid redundancies which would be highly embarrassing for their management and the government. This tells us that things are not at all well in clothing retail and further shorting may be very profitable, obviously do your own research.

[wllmherk] 04/3/2011 15:24

Nick,

Who was responsible for overseeing the banks, who had overall responsibility for managing the economy, who, during the boom years failed to put some monies aside for a rainey day, but, instead embarked on a massive spending spree with massive increases in public spending, particularly on welfare ?

Labour didn't cause the financial crises, but, they left the UK in a fiscally weak position to deal with its consequences.

[nickward] 04/3/2011 13:39

Wllmherk, I think you may be misinformed. Perhaps too much Government Propaganda reaching your ears. People seem to regurgitate the' let's blame Labour mantra. The fact is that Labour did not govern the US, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Iceland or any other country that has a massive deficit. This highlights the fact that the deficit has very little to do with the previous government and much more to do with the banks and financial institutions, some of whom are funding the present government. If people used a little intelligence they would not fall for this white wash. When some of our least paid and most vulnerable people are being asked to foot the bill for the banks reckless action I have to question "who is really behind all this?"

[lucky_lady] 04/3/2011 13:03

you sound very bitter nickward.

[wllmherk] 03/3/2011 17:38

not sure I agree Nick. No cuts would result in the UK failing to tackle the deficit. Failure to do so would, further down the line, result in even deeper cuts and more pain for us all. Perhaps, if Labour hadn't played fast and loose with Britains finances we wouldn't be in this position. I don't agree with all current Govt policies, but, for tackling the deficit I applaud them.

[artnouveau] 27/2/2011 15:51

The debt is being reduced here and the pension gap decreased each year. Strong brand, price aware these days and huge turnover makes any further fall in the share price a sure fire buy for private equity IMHO.

ArtN

[gruss] 27/2/2011 14:45

Hectorp

Thinking out loud I feel like telling you to short off.

[hectorp] 27/2/2011 12:58

MKS 90p a share by New Year? It's currently capitalised at over £5.5 Billion, in a falling economy with lowering purchasing power.

[essentialinvestor] 23/2/2011 11:10

I accept the point about the debt reduction, the ramping up of CAPEX
over the next few years may not allow for this to fall much further imv.

The debt itself is not an issue, just needs to be allowed for in
the valuation imv.

[artnouveau] 23/2/2011 11:02

£2.1bn of debt reduced from £2.5bn in the previous financial year. I've bought more this morning at £3.47. Advertising campaign is strong and clothes and food lines very popular.

ArtN

[essentialinvestor] 20/2/2011 18:38

Interesting comments Robert - I think it's cotton prices, the higher planned CAPEX over the next 3 years, combined with lower disposable incomes.

MKS also have over £2 Billion worth of debt, there may be an opportunity
here if this slide continues imv.

[robertfaulkner] 20/2/2011 18:03

I just think that the market thinks the squeeze on wages and inflation is taking money out of the economy which will lower stores takings.

On the other hand, a lot in the press about the trend of people buying these take home complete meals inc wine from M & S, instead of eating out, I see these as great profit makers.

Talking of eating out, the suburban restaurant trade must be in for a terrible time when the cuts really start. The high streets in London and the home counties must now be 70% eating and take away establishments, and still more are appearing.

There must be a blood bath coming, they will all want to be the last man standing, but the newest with massive redecorating and setting up cost, how long can they trade at a loss before caving in

The latest craze is Smoothy bar/cafes, in North London there is one in every area, open all hours and never anyone in them??????? How can that work?

[essentialinvestor] 20/2/2011 13:16

Thought there would be a few comments on the continued share price weakness here.

[essentialinvestor] 20/2/2011 13:16

Thought there would be a few comments on the continued share price weakness here.

[artnouveau] 09/2/2011 22:03

Hunter and the hunted...

[artnouveau] 09/2/2011 11:12

I wonder if the Ocado rumours could be linked to M&S. If yesterday's news in the hiring of the head of online sales from TESCO could be linked to expansion then M&S could buyout Ocado to fill the expansion plans?

ArtN

[gruss] 08/2/2011 13:00

Seymour Piece have reiterated their buying rating today. Also with the answer to the second coming courtesey of Tesco things are looking a bit more rosey for we long term holders.

nichward.

Have to agree with you on this goverment.

[nickward] 07/2/2011 13:34

Yes Gruss it has been a very good earner, hopefully I will be able to double the profits again by summer. No need to de ramp though, economic situation is abundantly clear and will effect all retailers. Enjoy your cheap £2 options, that's all these might be worth by the time the Govt's finished with the economy.

[gruss] 07/2/2011 12:53

nickward

Time will tell but not worried about you shorters as we have the option is bbuy at £2.00.

However you are doing a brilliant job deramping the stock. Im loving it!

[nickward] 07/2/2011 12:37

Still short from 400p, I reckon the Govt have put us on the precipice of a double dip, loads of redundancies coming, unemployment will go through 3 million this year, it doesn't bode well.

[nickward] 07/2/2011 12:36

Still short from 400p, I reckon the Govt have put us on the precipice of a double dip, loads of redundancies coming, unemployment will go through 3 million this year, it doesn't bode well.