Marston's Share Discussion Threads

[janekane] 26/1/2017 08:57

Pay bay Monday ( I reinvest) my divi
The lodges will give great results with high net profits
This is a classic long term hold
If after reinvesting all dividend after 5 years here you could get a 25% /30% return on your original investment

[exel] 25/1/2017 23:44

Fair points, jeffian, am in agreement with pretty much everything you have said. Don't wish to be stupidly bullish about MARS, or any stock for that matter? but a growing property portfolio & reasonable asset-backing is key in difficult times - such as we all now face. I still maintain that MARS is at, or just passing, an earnings inflection point and is looking quite under-rated. Now, even if the expected re-rating slips back a year or two, given brexit concerns et al, this group seems to be going in the right direction at a steady yet sustainable pace. There clearly are, and will be, headwinds - but this one could snap back up to where it was, a year or so back, as soon as the earnings/dividend pattern strengthens just a bit more - off the back of the recent upwards trend. Could be wrong of course, but think today (and days like it) was a buying op more than anything else, on the back of weak sentiment for the sector generally. Best of luck!

[jeffian] 25/1/2017 23:16

Don't knock yourself, jbfnfn. Remember the 'Clever People' have been wrong about everything recently - Brexit, Trump and, most importantly, the British economy. If 40 respected economists write to the papers about something, you can guarantee they're going to be wrong. Trust your own judgement.

As I've said before on this thread, it's horses for courses. MARS is never going to be one of those shares that sets the world alight. If you're looking for 10-baggers (probably illusory!), you'll be in bio-techs and speculative gold miners and the chances are you'll lose the lot. If, as I do, you have a sum of money to invest on which you want a return, you want a degree of security from asset-backing and you hope for growth at least in advance of inflation, then MARS may fit the bill. I'm in 'drawdown' on my pension and MARS forms a part of the portfolio. You say "the sector is out of favour. Not much comfort if you are a holder underwater like me. Will just have to wait till the sector is in fashion." Indeed, but it isn't that painful receiving a 5.4% return (where else can you get that?!), twice covered, while you wait.

[exel] 25/1/2017 21:07

I topped up again today. ex

[jbfnfn] 25/1/2017 20:02

FWIW Martin Waller wrote about MARS today in the Tempus column in the Times. I found a paper copy in my local Pub. The gist of it was it's too early to buy into MARS as the sector is out of favour. Not much comfort if you are a holder underwater like me. Will just have to wait till the sector is in fashion. I could give up drinking halves and put the money into more MARS shares. No advice intended, I know nothing. I only have a comprehensive school education.

[exel] 24/1/2017 09:14

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the MARS agm update. But we are now in very jittery times, which will probably get steadily worse, rather than better on the macro, national, international fronts - for the *foreseeable future (* about as far as the end of most noses right now). will that stop people going out for a meal and a drink in the areas where MARS is strong? doubt it. as inflation ticks up, and wine becomes more expensive, many may switch to UK brewed ales, more basic food, and also take their hols here, too - given the ever-growing cost of leaving the island on which many of us are now captive! People may also trade down from more expensive eateries to family-friendly pub scenarios. At its core, there is also an emerging property play here, too, with relatively high TNAV to MarketCap. at circa 62% to just 26% in the case of Greene King. No ramp intended, but this stock must be on various radars in terms of a 3 to 5 year forward view. With a circa 5.4% mildly progressive yield from the 135p mark it still feels a tad under-priced, even today - with all the jitters 'out there'. just my take. ex

[poolies3] 24/1/2017 08:20

Yes compared to Easyjet and BT

You need good results to stand still

[lord gnome] 24/1/2017 08:19

Nothing wrong with that. Keep Calm and Drink Beer!

[r ball] 24/1/2017 07:56

Steady as she goes.

[jeffian] 23/1/2017 11:50

Doesn't specifically say so in the 'Calendar' but they usually give a Trading Statement at the AGM, so I expect so.

[poolies3] 23/1/2017 11:42

Is there a trading update as well?

[janekane] 23/1/2017 11:13

AGM tomorrow

[maffoo] 09/1/2017 09:09

The pubs seem hugely popular in my hometown of Manchester, but where I live now, in Bristol, they are pretty much non-existent. The closest thing is a single Pitcher & Piano in the city centre (which is not my glass of Prosecco, but seems quite popular and people seem to splash out a lot there).

I hope the share price will bounce back up to ~150 at some point; it appears to have plateaued/squeezed a bit in the past three months or so. It's a massively slow moving one at any rate! I've been putting some US tech stocks into my portfolio recently and seeing the difference between their minute-by-minute mosquito-like movements and this one that's like a salted slug is quite funny. The dividend is definitely very nice, however.

I think the question is what kind of direction we see it moving in. If the slow uptrend continues and it's hitting the 180s by 2020, I'll be a happy bunny.

[exel] 04/1/2017 11:57

And the old Marston Thompson Eversheds was based in Burton-on-Trent.

[jeffian] 04/1/2017 11:05

The clue is in the old name - Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries

[redartbmud] 03/1/2017 21:30

PUG

Midlands, East Midlands is more the origin. Mars has expanded into Wales, the North of England and into the South, to a lesser extent, in the last few years.

[pugugly] 03/1/2017 18:17

Has anyone considered the likely cost of the revised business rates on MARS. Press comments suggest businesses in the South will be badly hit compared to the north and rates are quoted as the 3rd largest cost centre. Frpm memory MARS used to be southern orientated but not sure after Thwaites purchsed.

[spacecake] 03/1/2017 18:00

If only MARS could reduce the debt at a faster rate.
I wonder if MARS intend to issue more shares.

[janekane] 26/12/2016 12:06

Our local mars pub was packed out xmas eve and yesterday Christmas lunch
Great results on the way

[123trev] 21/12/2016 11:49

Every time I visit one of their establishments it's packed they seem to offer value for money and the competion don't seem able to match it in my eyes.A keen buyer is obviously out there recognising they cater for a very large market.

[exel] 21/12/2016 11:45

my target buy price (top up, that is) is 132.50p which came close this morning - but won't chase. still believe there is good longterm value here - at or around that level. some may await 130p but I can't see that right now. the Punch acquisition will cause some majors to revisit this sector, where an outfit like MARS should catch the eye. why?

clean efficient operations
much tidied estate - largely freehold (good long term play)
solid roll-out plan for new units/bedrooms etc.
is reaching (or has arguably reached?) an earnings inflection point (per 2016 results)
manageable well-structured debt - freehold backed
progressive EBITDA (of more interest to a Heineken-type acquirer)
strong management (but cost savings post-acquisition)

In fact, at the present rating, I would guess there are majors with this one firmly on their radar. It may take a few more years, but a bid here should not come as a great shock if/when that were to occur.

[123trev] 21/12/2016 11:10

Had a big dabble here well worth the punt.

[petercrosby] 19/12/2016 11:27

I'm guessing there is a large buy order to fill at 135 or less and the 50K buyer thinks the same

[zcaprd7] 15/12/2016 10:47

£1.30 the obvious buying target here?

[spoole5] 15/12/2016 09:33

Greene king are as well.