Marston's Share Discussion Threads

[skinny] 15/5/2014 07:14

ROWTH IN REVENUE AND EARNINGS SUPPORTS INCREASE IN DIVIDEND


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
· Underlying Group revenue up 4.5% to £374.3 million.
· Underlying profit before tax up 9.4% to £29.0 million.
· Underlying earnings per share up 10.8% to 4.1 pence per share.
· Interim dividend up 4.3% to 2.4 pence per share.

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
· Destination and Premium: Like-for-like sales up 5.7%, operating profit up 18.2%.
· Taverns: Managed and franchised like-for-like sales up 3.8%, core estate in profit growth.
· Leased: Like-for-like profits up 3.0%.
· Brewing: Revenue up 3.5%, operating profit up 4.0%.

STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS
· New-build development: On target for at least 27 new pubs this financial year.
· Franchise expansion: 65 pubs converted in first half.
· Disposal of smaller wet-led pubs: 286 properties sold for £116 million.
· Market leader in premium ale: Premium ale volumes up 2%.

CURRENT TRADING - 5 WEEKS TO 10 MAY
· Destination and Premium: Like-for-like sales up 4.1%.
· Taverns: Managed and franchised like-for-like sales up 3.0%.
· Leased: Like-for-like profits estimated to be up 5%.
· Own-brewed volumes up 6%.

Commenting, Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive, said:
"The first half year was good and current trading is strong. We are creating a higher quality pub estate which is delivering positive trading momentum and meets the expectations of today's customers. We opened 11 new pub-restaurants in the first half and remain on track to open at least 27 in total this year. Our 100th new pub built since 2009 will open this summer, with 5,000 jobs having been created.

We are beginning to see some evidence of consumer confidence returning in the regions, leaving us confident of making positive progress for the remainder of the year."

[skinny] 28/4/2014 09:12

Deutsche Bank Hold 148.40 147.80 135.00 170.00 Reiterates

[spacecake] 26/3/2014 21:34

Marston's reveals plans to create 3,000 jobs

hxxp://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/business-news/marstons-reveals-plans-create-3000-6871140

[jeff h] 17/2/2014 21:41

A nice little earner I expect:-

[gbb483] 21/1/2014 07:21

Good report out today. Need to see if the market thinks its above expectations or if its all in the price. There was a good rise through the first half of last year so there may not be much more (but at least it shouldn't dive).

[skinny] 21/1/2014 07:08

Trading
Our performance in the financial year to date has been encouraging, including good trading over the Christmas and New Year period. Profitability is in line with our expectations.

In Destination and Premium, like-for-like sales were 4.1% ahead of last year including like-for-like food sales growth of 5.6% and wet like-for-like sales growth of 2.2%. In the key three week Christmas trading period to 4 January trading was strong with growth of 3.3%, following 5.8% growth in the corresponding period last year. Operating margins are slightly ahead of last year and our accelerated plans for 25-30 of our new-pub restaurants in the current financial year are on track, with eleven openings expected in the first half.

In Taverns, managed and franchise pub like-for-like sales were 3.0% ahead of last year, with strong Christmas and New Year trading. Our franchise model continues to prove successful, providing motivated licensees with local flexibility while improving the quality, consistency and value of the consumer offer, and reducing risk for the licensee.

In Leased, profits are estimated to be around 1% ahead of last year.

In Brewing, although volumes are just below last year continued growth in premium ales has benefited operating margins, resulting in profits being slightly ahead.

Net debt and cash flow are in line with our expectations.

We will announce our Interim Results for the 26 weeks to 5 April 2014 on 15th May 2014.

Commenting, Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive, said:
"We traded well over the Christmas period as customers responded to our excellent value festive offers, with 55,000 meals served on Christmas Day - a record. Our performance in the first quarter has been good and, encouragingly, we have achieved growth in each of our key trading divisions. We continue to strive to ensure that our pubs and beers meet the high standards our customers expect and provide outstanding value for money."

[skinny] 15/1/2014 13:29

Numis Buy 155.45 153.50 185.00 185.00 Retains

[skinny] 14/1/2014 07:19

WH Ireland Securities Buy 154.00 154.00 - - Upgrades

[libertine] 08/1/2014 08:19

08 Jan 2014 Marston's PLC MARS Jefferies International Buy 149.50 145.20 155.00 180.00 Upgrades

[redartbmud] 08/1/2014 07:53

PS Chair Thompson retired yet trousered 3 months pay in lieu and mega compensation for loss of office.

Did he jump OR WAS HE PUSHED?

[redartbmud] 08/1/2014 07:51

AGM 21 January.

[skinny] 08/1/2014 07:33

Jefferies International Buy 144.95 145.20 155.00 180.00 Upgrades

[gbb483] 19/12/2013 13:56

Loss leader? Old stock?

[pherrom] 18/12/2013 11:52

Morrisons are selling a selection of Marston's "Classic Ales" for £10; that is 8 X 500ml bottles. A good deal but what is the profit for MRW or MARS?

[tibrahim] 16/12/2013 09:39

Going ex div on Wednesday 18/12/13 4.1p payable in February 3/2/14

[skinny] 03/12/2013 08:07

N+1 Singer Buy 0.00 150.30 157.00 163.00 Reiterates

[gbb483] 29/11/2013 16:00

Either that or they saw you coming ... mind you, The Cricketers in Clavering would charge you that sort of money - never mind keeping up with the Jones', they need to keep up with their off-spring!

[skinny] 29/11/2013 07:43

JP Morgan Cazenove Neutral 143.70 143.70 140.00 160.00 Reiterates

[deanforester] 28/11/2013 17:42

That sounds pricey, even for the City. A friend organises a walking tour once a year. Last April we had lunch at The Harrow, just off Fleet Street, for £13.75, for which we got Steak and Ale Pie, carrots, green beans and chips, and Apple Crumble and Custard. The tip was included and a pint was about £3.50 as I recall.

Locally our main courses tend to be £10-12 and the puds £3-5. Crown Carveries are the place to go for value, where £4 or so will get you a decent main course.

[spacecake] 28/11/2013 13:15

"A typical weekday lunch, two mains, two puddings and 2 pints of bitter each usually comes to £52-58."

The prices quoted above.. is that in the city of London ?

Tuesday I had two mains for a tenner deal in a very good Greenking pub, two pints for a fiver ... total fifteen quid. These prices are more expensive than Wetherspoons where the beer is even cheaper but the food not as good.

We have some very successful wet only pubs in our area, really good selection of real ales - some have up to a dozen different ales on with quick turnover of product coming from an ever growing number of brewers.

[poleaxe] 28/11/2013 13:07

They have still got a lot of debt which is not helping the share price

[jeffian] 28/11/2013 12:43

Looking at the graph over the past week, looks like a case of "buy the rumour; sell on the news".

[clumpweight] 28/11/2013 12:08

Good grief, it is falling off a cliff.

The results were not that bad.