National Grid Share Discussion Threads

[warranty] 28/12/2018 18:03

Yet more brainwashing eeza from the London focussed establishment. Many young people know the truth and how they've been completely sold down the river by decades of self centred politicians, including those in the EU. I accept that students and similar left leaning groups support Remain but those outside of that sphere are solidly behind Leave. The only thing that can now prevent a total leave of the EU on WTO terms in March is Remain obsessed MPs ignoring the original vote since not doing so would require a change of law. This would totally destroy the Conservative Party and outrage normal Leave voters. May could choose to do that but somehow I don't think she will. Anyway, let's wait and see, we can't affect what happens yet.

[dr biotech] 28/12/2018 17:52

Well paid manufacturing jobs have gone. We have to be smarter. Trying to turn back the clocks is just stupid, unless we are going to pay people less over here. What do we want, a return to British Leyland and overpriced goods? Let’s all go back to the 50s.

What we are good at is financial services and we are about to cut ourselves off from the biggest markets. Still a free trade deal with China should mean that we can import loads more cheap tat as tabs all we will be able to afford.

Just how is leaving the EU going to bring back well paid manufacturing jobs, it’s just a fantasy.

[eeza] 28/12/2018 13:32

Oddly enough the young are almost exclusively Remain supporters.

[warranty] 28/12/2018 10:27

I agree completely with you about average families never been poorer since the war jc1. When I was a kid in the 1950's we had little, yet had everything we needed, just like most everyone else. You could write a book on the reasons why but a lot has to do with Globalsation and the destruction of well paid manufacturing jobs in most Western European countries except Germany whose protectionism under the EU sheltered them. The working man is now finally fighting back against the beurocrats, wrongly labelled as populism to make it sound damaging. Whatever your views on Brexit, Trump, Gilets Jaune and the rise of anti establishment groups across Europe, they are fuelled by the complete failure of Politicians to listen and support the population who have been talked down to and ridden roughshod over by faceless, arrogant Parliamentarians for decades. The EU has proved a monumental and expensive failure and thankfully is on the road to destruction. People are sick of lowly paid, meaningless jobs, zero hours contracts or no job at all. Society has been completely destroyed by Politicians who have followed their own personal situations rather than listen to those who elected them. Brexit is the perfect example, people voted in Two thirds of constituencies to Leave yet three quarters of MPs voted Remain. Is it any surprise the result is being downplayed because we poor should didn't know what we were doing. Long live democracy eh?

[bennodean] 28/12/2018 09:31

Exactly eeza.

Me and missus are always at each others throat as she would happily blow a fortune on a 2 week holiday each year that I personally get no enjoyment out of and would rather be laying down some fat,or at least be paying down the mortgage.

[jonnycash1] 27/12/2018 19:59

Last time we saw the markets like this it was 2008. You can't build an economy on these kind of wages. Without waxing lyrical, I don't think in my lifetime the average working family has ever been poorer. Can't save on current earnings, no money for a pension, nothing left for emergencies - I think it's the same in the US and across much of Europe. I look at my earnings/outgoings and consider the average UK earnings for 2018 was £27,271. Think.
This is not Brexit, but it will be blamed on Brexit if we go into recession. Last time everyone blamed the bankers because people had lied on their selfcert mortgages and got into too much debt. History don't repeat but it does rhyme. Well I am glad I am out of this market. I would seriously consider how much you are prepared to lose if you want to be in it.

[warranty] 27/12/2018 19:28

Likewise Bounty, many thanks for your efforts here and can I wish yourself and all other posters and NG sufferers a very successful 2019.

[coxsmn] 27/12/2018 19:17

Ofgem is out of control.

[bountyhunter] 24/12/2018 20:11

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You too UI, and festive best wishes to everyone who posts here!
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[utyinv] 24/12/2018 08:59

Let’s hope for a better year next Year. That NG investors stop getting screwed by an OFGEM that is making investing in Utilities impossible.

On a personal note I wish all NG posters with an interest in NG doing well a Great Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year, especially ‘Bounty’ who tirelessly updates and maintains this bb for our benefit and for which we ought to be eternally grateful! Thanks Bounty 👏🥂

[utyinv] 19/12/2018 23:48

Bounty,

Don’t confuse security with share listing. Look at National Grid in NE USA. A British Company holding secure and important US infrastructure. Yes the 15% IRS tax may be an issue but if Corbyn gets in what will happen to ISAs?

Also, we may find the dividend and share price rises to compensate.

[utyinv] 19/12/2018 23:43

Dr Biotech

Randgold to delist from ftse at the end of Dec. Merging with Barrick and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange with ADRs in US

[jonnycash1] 19/12/2018 19:34

It could, but I don't think it is planning on selling up in the UK! It is actually a good firm and well run (imho), so they will have their own agenda. They are bound to play the drama queen on this report, but I don't actually fancy their chances of having the findings over-ruled or appealed in any way. They will have known it was coming, hell we all knew it was coming, so there is no 'uncertainty', not really. A quick buck on the short play from a bored City in the short term was pretty much inevitable and adjustment on earnings will lower the, rather dubious, price targets from various houses over the medium term but otherwise it's business as usual. The value is really in the assets it holds, not next years earnings, so doubt much will change really. It may suffer a bit from becoming very 'boring' again, which is not a good thing for those looking for some upside. Less cash = less exciting options to grow. I don't think they will cut the dividend as that would cause big players (like pension funds) to seriously consider selling their holdings, which they will not want. If they cut the dividend I would be concerned if I were a holder (big or small).

[bountyhunter] 19/12/2018 19:04

Ok thanks, so I take it NG could retain it's listing on the LSE then even if all it's interests were in the US?

The government surely would be keen to ensure security of supply if this was to be considered though so it might not be easy to divest some key UK interests.

[gateside] 19/12/2018 18:25

PolymetalRussian gold miner in FTSE250 has no interests in UK, yet is listed here.

[jonnycash1] 19/12/2018 18:11

Evraz, Smurfit kappa...fair few! Rules changed in 2010 for foreign firms listing on ftse.

[dr biotech] 19/12/2018 17:59

Glencore? ENRC? The latter delisted. I don’t think the former has any worthwhile UK interest. Most of the miners have fairly nominal UK operations, rangold etc

[bountyhunter] 19/12/2018 17:23

Do you have an example jc? I can't think of any large FTSE company with no UK interests. Ok a few companies have split HQs but still a presence and interests in the UK.

Thanks for that information Uty. The tax on the divis even if ISA held stock sounds to be a bit discouraging.

[jonnycash1] 19/12/2018 17:09

You don't need to be a UK firm to be listed on the ftse. The utilities sector does not exist to squeeze the public for the benefits of shareholders. The sector has always traded on quite a low PE ratio.

[utyinv] 19/12/2018 16:06

Bounty,

If they sold the UK business whole or partial the stock would be delisted, I expect even in the latter case. Whether NG get cash or stock is irrelevant. However, that would require the Company to have a Primary listing in the US.

If that was to be the case then most institutions allow you to hold main Foriegn exchange stock in ISAs (Dow, DAX, CAC etc). However US regulations mean dividends earned overseas and paid in say dollars would be subject to tax of 15% but you must register otherwise it’s 30%. But most technology and energy stock in the US pay decent rewards. Ie profit, when some of it is paid to the IRS usually is seen as a good thing in the US as profit is not such a dirty word! It’s only dirty to Marxists. Even the US democrats are far away from Marxism and Communism.

[rbcrbc] 19/12/2018 14:25

Jeremy Corbyn is accused of calling Theresa May a stupid Woman.
Is she stupid ? Many would say so
Is she a woman ? I have no intention of finding out !

[bountyhunter] 19/12/2018 13:49

Surely they would have to retain some UK interests in order to maintain their UK listing - I'm not sure what that level would be though? Also can any other company in the UK do what NG do in all areas while maintaining national security in those areas?

[utyinv] 19/12/2018 11:54

DFOC,

Absolutely right! OFGEM has no say in what NG does in the US. That’s why there has been a call from many investors to increase the business size in the US. The writing was on the cards when NG decided to sell the UK Distn Network siting poor return as a consequence of harsh regulation. Hasn’t gone far enough in my opinion. Maybe NG should think about off-loading or part off-loading UK regulated businesses.

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