Saga Share Discussion Threads

[koetser] 14/1/2021 13:09

yep I think i will be shorting tesla soon. Saga at least 350 soon IMHO

[fjgooner] 14/1/2021 12:39

Fully agreed.

There is nothing at all wrong with shorting per se. What is objectionable is shorting followed by the utter trashing the related BBs in a futile attempt (except on low volume and penny shares) to influence the share price. Of course it does no such thing, but it may upset and distress some newer marker participants, possibly even into making expensive mistakes.

Many BBs have also become utterly unusable for periods of time purely because of a few shorters' belief that such foul behaviour enhances their position.

Simply stating an alternative view is fine. The trademarked "mushrooms and lemmings only", "10p by next month", "dead cat bounce" and other such unsubstantiated snide drivel is not.

[professor_glennglad] 14/1/2021 12:38

I’m referring to ones that spend all day spouting unsubstantiated drivel such as this will be a £1 and this will be subject to 15/1 split and the like several times a day. Pointless effort

[ilkleyneil] 14/1/2021 12:19

What's wrong with shorting? Surely, most active invetors are long and short of various instruments in an attempt to hedge their risks. Shorting helps to bring liquidity to the market and I've never of a good share that's tanked becuase of shoter activity. Bad shares tank because they're bad. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Personally SAGA is my biggest holdng having bought just prior to the recent big hike up. Therefore, I am still in the blue and I hold for now. My target price is actually around £10 after the two cruise ships start operating again. Debt is not an issue after the re-financing and the waiving of covenants on the ship loans until June.

[professor_glennglad] 14/1/2021 11:26

Great info from most apart from SHORTER CLEVERINVESTER.

[aspers] 14/1/2021 11:22

Cleverinvestor.......should you not be over on the CNA forum gloating hiw your CNA shares are flying today? FUD

[riverdiver] 14/1/2021 10:46

"People are booking longer holidays, we're seeing more people booking ten or eleven or 14 nights rather than seven. People are maybe catching up on what they've missed."

Another point to consider, the amount of money that older people have accrued since covid began. As a pensioner that normally takes three long haul holidays per year, I've had nothing to spend my money on for the last twelve months.

[fjgooner] 14/1/2021 10:33

More great news.



Over-50s rush to book holidays as vaccine boosts confidence

By Simon Browning
Business reporter

Published 9 hours ago

Extract

Coach and tour operators have seen an unexpected growth in bookings in the last fortnight.

Industry figures call it growing "vaccine confidence" about 2021.

Whilst there is no doubt that the pandemic continues to put huge pressure on lives and the NHS, this is a small amount of sunshine for the travel industry, which has had a tough year.

TUI, the UK's largest tour operator, says 50% of bookings on their website are currently by over-50s.

This was previously a smaller market for them. ...

Travel to Europe

It's not just UK breaks that are selling. The UK's largest tour operator TUI, famous for its sun-drenched European beach holidays, says there has also been a change in the last fortnight.

"We're seeing a customer base or age group that wasn't booking before, that is starting to book," says Andrew Flintham the MD of TUI UK. "The over 50s, we assume, is on the back to the vaccine news."

Whilst TUI UK boss acknowledges that "the market is still depressed and it's not where we want it - we are seeing glimmers of hope."

There are also interesting changes emerging in the types of breaks holidaymakers planning to take and the months they're planning to travel.

"People are booking later into the summer, hedging their bets" said Mr Flintham. "More July and August and a lot of demand for September and October.

"People are booking longer holidays, we're seeing more people booking ten or eleven or 14 nights rather than seven. People are maybe catching up on what they've missed."

Holidays with grandma and grandpa?
As TUI analysed its recent booking data, one trend they spotted is the emergence of large, multigenerational group bookings.

"It is family time we've all missed. We can't get away from our own families, but our broader families we can't see, and that's feeding into our choices" Mr Flintham explains.

After such a bad ten months, and TUI cancelling all holidays until the middle of February at the earliest because of the new lockdown, how does the rest of the summer look?

"I think the summer holiday is on" says Mr Flintham, "I think we just need time for people to get that confidence, but yes, we think there will be a good summer this summer".

For those who've watched the paralysis brought upon the travel industry since last winter, a morsel of good news about customers booking again is being celebrated.

"This is fantastic news and to be hugely welcomed by an industry that has been utterly devastated by the pandemic", says Sophie Griffiths, editor of Travel Trade Gazette.

"Ten months into this crisis and the industry has still received zero dedicated support from the government despite being unique as a sector in terms of giving out thousands in refunds while getting next to nothing back in for 2020."

[fjgooner] 14/1/2021 10:33

Scottish007,

I'm quite sure that a return to full capacity will be implemented as soon as it is considered completely safe - hopefully later this year.

[city chappy] 14/1/2021 10:08

Looks like things are going well in the UK with the vaccines.

[fjgooner] 14/1/2021 10:00

Yes, 350p very soon - on the way to fair value later in the year at more than double that fire sale valuation. Let the serial detractors continue their pointless drivel.



Over-50s rush to book holidays as vaccine boosts confidence

By Simon Browning
Business reporter

Published 9 hours ago

Extract

Coach and tour operators have seen an unexpected growth in bookings in the last fortnight.

Industry figures call it growing "vaccine confidence" about 2021.

Whilst there is no doubt that the pandemic continues to put huge pressure on lives and the NHS, this is a small amount of sunshine for the travel industry, which has had a tough year.

TUI, the UK's largest tour operator, says 50% of bookings on their website are currently by over-50s.

This was previously a smaller market for them. ...

Travel to Europe

It's not just UK breaks that are selling. The UK's largest tour operator TUI, famous for its sun-drenched European beach holidays, says there has also been a change in the last fortnight.

"We're seeing a customer base or age group that wasn't booking before, that is starting to book," says Andrew Flintham the MD of TUI UK. "The over 50s, we assume, is on the back to the vaccine news."

Whilst TUI UK boss acknowledges that "the market is still depressed and it's not where we want it - we are seeing glimmers of hope."

There are also interesting changes emerging in the types of breaks holidaymakers planning to take and the months they're planning to travel.

"People are booking later into the summer, hedging their bets" said Mr Flintham. "More July and August and a lot of demand for September and October.

"People are booking longer holidays, we're seeing more people booking ten or eleven or 14 nights rather than seven. People are maybe catching up on what they've missed."

Holidays with grandma and grandpa?
As TUI analysed its recent booking data, one trend they spotted is the emergence of large, multigenerational group bookings.

"It is family time we've all missed. We can't get away from our own families, but our broader families we can't see, and that's feeding into our choices" Mr Flintham explains.

After such a bad ten months, and TUI cancelling all holidays until the middle of February at the earliest because of the new lockdown, how does the rest of the summer look?

"I think the summer holiday is on" says Mr Flintham, "I think we just need time for people to get that confidence, but yes, we think there will be a good summer this summer".

For those who've watched the paralysis brought upon the travel industry since last winter, a morsel of good news about customers booking again is being celebrated.

"This is fantastic news and to be hugely welcomed by an industry that has been utterly devastated by the pandemic", says Sophie Griffiths, editor of Travel Trade Gazette.

"Ten months into this crisis and the industry has still received zero dedicated support from the government despite being unique as a sector in terms of giving out thousands in refunds while getting next to nothing back in for 2020."

[maxplus2] 14/1/2021 09:19

To 350p as before

[cleverinvester] 14/1/2021 09:17

Dead cat bounce.

[32campomar] 14/1/2021 08:33

Yes saw that, national express reporting bookings for over 65's rocketing 165% in the last week year on year. TUI reporting a similar pattern. Bodes well for saga

[groogis] 14/1/2021 08:30

Interesting reporting this morning about the jump in bookings for TUI and National Express this week in the over 50 and over 65 age groups. Saga must be seeing similar you would have thought.

[glavey] 14/1/2021 02:02

Whatever you say Dave, you always know best.

[glavey] 14/1/2021 00:53

Been listed a while:

"3 serviced offices for sale"



Imagine all the people
Living for today...

[simmsc] 13/1/2021 22:33

Well done to fjgooner and Scottish007 for keeping this a decent board with some good insights. Thanks for your comments and for the time you spend researching. I don't comment often but do read your posts.

[discodave45] 13/1/2021 21:57

I see that they have put up for sale their contact centre in Ramsgate.They are also trying to sell their two offices in Folkestone (Bouverie House and Cheriton Parc).These should be worth about £18m - £20m if they can offload them.

[scottish007] 13/1/2021 21:40

Hi fjgooner
Was aware of this but it only covers April and May.
So my take is that they would offer all cabins post May?
I also think they’d offer all cabins during April and May which they would cap at 800 travellers.
In my opinion April will most definitely be cancelled. 👍

[fjgooner] 13/1/2021 20:52

Please see:



Our return to service

Keeping you safe when we return to cruising

Our ships have been awarded independent Shield+ accreditation to certify that they are operating safely, using only the strictest health and hygiene measures.

We've put protocols in place on our cruises sailing in April and May 2021, and we will continue to review our Covid-19 protocols to ensure we provide a safe environment for our guests and crew on all cruises sailing throughout the year.

Getting you here safely

For April and May 2021, our included chauffeur service will be extended to a private service up to 250 miles each way. This means every guest or ‘bubble’ will be picked up at home and driven to the port, safely and without the need to use any form of shared transport.

Covid-19 testing before boarding

There will be mandatory pre-departure Covid-19 testing at home and in the terminal for guests and crew, along with temperature checks and a full medical screening.

Reduced guest capacity

For these cruises, we have reduced both our ships’ guest capacity by a fifth, to a maximum of 800 guests per ship.

Enough space for everyone

As you would expect, social distancing measures will be in place, which feels subtle aboard our spacious ships.

Face coverings

Unless exempt, face coverings must be worn in all internal public areas, for all guests and staff.

Hand sanitising

We have installed even more hand sanitising stations around our ships, which must be used before entering each public area.

Fresh, clean air

We have made additional enhancements to our state-of-the-art air conditioning, which already circulates 100% fresh air in all public areas and cabins.

All à la carte dining

Every restaurant will now offer full waiter service to your table. We have also increased the number of tables on the outside areas for al fresco dining.

Enhanced cleaning

We are enhancing our already high standards of cleaning throughout the ships, including all public areas and cabins.

Extra medical care

We have doubled the number of medical staff on board, and expanded our medical facilities, including a new isolation area.

Included coronavirus cover

As standard, we now include coronavirus cancellation cover, as well as travel insurance with up to £5m coronavirus emergency medical and repatriation cover, or a price reduction if you don’t need it.

Shield+ accreditation

We are the only cruise line who has been awarded Shield+ accreditation from Lloyd’s Register. This is independent accreditation that we are operating safely using only the strictest health and hygiene measures, protecting our guests at all times.

[scottish007] 13/1/2021 17:36

I’m sure they’ll still make all cabins available.
Either way figures are encouraging 👍
Try doing the same on a Tui cruise and you get the pick of the ship.
You could probably drive it?!