HOW SUCCESSFUL IS SPORTS DIRECT’S STRATEGY IN COMPARISON WITH ITS CLOSEST COMPETITORS? September 9, 2009 JONATHAN PRITCHARD ORIEL SECURITIESSports Direct is benefiting from better demand on the high street for its wares but also making hay whilst its competition is struggling, and as we approach the World Cup next June we see sales growth accelerating further. Given the problems at JJB and the change of tack at JD Sports, Sports [...]
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS SPORTS DIRECT’S STRATEGY IN COMPARISON WITH ITS CLOSEST COMPETITORS? September 9, 2009 JONATHAN PRITCHARD ORIEL SECURITIESSports Direct is benefiting from better demand on the high street for its wares but also making hay whilst its competition is struggling, and as we approach the World Cup next June we see sales growth accelerating further. Given the problems at JJB and the change of tack at JD Sports, Sports [...]
Mid-cap mania to dominate corporate news this week August 31, 2009 THIS week is shorter than usual due to the bank holiday and trading volumes are likely to remain low, but there are enough mid-cap firms reporting to keep life interesting. FTSE 250 biotechnology firm Dechra Pharmaceuticals kicks the week off with its final results, which are not expected to add very much to its pre-close [...]
Mid-cap mania to dominate corporate news this week August 31, 2009 THIS week is shorter than usual due to the bank holiday and trading volumes are likely to remain low, but there are enough mid-cap firms reporting to keep life interesting. FTSE 250 biotechnology firm Dechra Pharmaceuticals kicks the week off with its final results, which are not expected to add very much to its pre-close [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: WHEN MIGHT THE MPC START TO TIGHTEN POLICY? September 6, 2009 HOWARD ARCHER IHS GLOBAL INSIGHTWe suspect that divisions will remain within the MPC on whether or not to extend QE, and to what extent. While we do not expect any change in QE this month, we certainly would not rule out an eventual further extension. What is much clearer is that interest rates will remain [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF YESTERDAY’S TRADING UPDATE FROM HMV? September 3, 2009 DAVID JEARY INVESTECThe acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in 7digital looks a good complementary strategic acquisition to increase the group’s digital profile and footprint. Trading in the core HMV UK division was slightly ahead of our expectations, offsetting a weaker than forecast international part. TONY SHIRET CREDIT SUISSEThe debate is whether after a [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 2, 2009 ARRIVANomura downgraded its 2009 earnings estimates for Arriva, but upgraded its estimates for 2010, saying 2009 “looks set to be the earnings low point”. The broker said that the first half results highlighted a solid performance across divisions, and has a “neutral” stance on the stock with a price target of 473.4p. JD WETHERSPOONInvestec said [...]
Thorntons says the end of recession is now in sight September 9, 2009 CHOCOLATE retailer Thorntons yesterday posted a 4.5 per cent fall in full-year profit, as tighter margins offset a rise in sales, but said the recession appeared to be easing and trade was improving. The 98-year-old chocolate maker on reported a pre-tax profit of £81m for the year to June 27, including a one-off £1.8m pension [...]
BUILDERS GO CAP IN HAND FOR 850M September 22, 2009 HOUSEBUILDERS Barratt and Redrow are today expected to tap shareholders for a total of £850m to shore up balance sheets that have been battered by the property slump. Barratt is set to unveil plans to raise £700m in a placing and open offer through its house broker UBS. And rival Redrow is expected to launch [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 8, 2009 MARKS & SPENCERAfter reviewing the autumn merchandise and its own forecasts, Investec raised its full-year 2010 pre-tax profit estimate for Marks & Spencer to £530m, from £475m, based on stronger gross margin progress than in previous guidance. However, the broker believes that some of the margin recovery booked in 2009/10 will make 2010/11 progress harder, [...]