Analyst Views: What was your reaction to Merlin’s interim management statement?
IVOR JONES | NUMIS
Merlin has long-term growth potential driven by capital investment, a track record of excellent execution, and the potential to enhance its business with the application of yield management technology. All of these attractions are, we believe, reflected in the current share price and we reiterate our “hold” rating.
MARK IRVINE-FORTESCUE | JEFFERIES
This strong update covering the peak summer trading period should see modest full-year upgrades to consensus. There are several growth levers in 2015 and beyond, giving upside potential. We remain comfortable with our above-consensus forecasts.
VICKI STERN | BARCLAYS
There appear to be no exceptional events driving this strong third quarter with weather, for example, being more “normal” overall. We increase our full-year like-for-like sales growth forecast to 6.4 per cent, from 5.4 per cent. previously and our earnings per share forecast increases by 2.7 per cent.