Robert Sutherland Smith

Where next for Next Plc?

Where next for Next Plc?

3 mins. to read

Looking at the workings of Next (NXT) financial reports reminds me of those moments in the Antiques Road Show when the affable clocks expert opens the back of an 18th-century clock to reveal a still perfect working mechanism. Next is a similarly perfect mechanism for producing sales, earnings, dividend and cash growth. It will not remain eternally…

Is there a renaissance in store for M&S?

Is there a renaissance in store for M&S?

4 mins. to read

I last visited Marks and Spencer (MKS), or ‘Marks and Sparks’ as our family used to know, it early in January. The drama was whether M&S was finished as a general merchandiser – most particularly in the ladies wear department, where it seemed totally incapable of revising its one time reputation as a big supplier…

Iag At 610p – Will The Ascent Continue?

Iag At 610p – Will The Ascent Continue?

3 mins. to read

Surveying the market shore line for value, my searching eye was caught by International Consolidated Airlines (IAG), the rather long, plain faced name for a business which the advertising industry often portrays as incredibly glamorous. I speak of passenger airlines. As we all know, the glamour soon wears off once you have waited for a…

Sainsbury’s: An Enigma or Two?

Sainsbury’s: An Enigma or Two?

2 mins. to read

Sainsbury’s trading statement for the fourth quarter of last year is fairly brief. In consequence, it does not provide much on which to base conclusions about the future – which appears to be bearish in the eyes of those executing the high level of short selling of Sainsbury shares.  Company sales were down modestly at…

WM Morrison: A Contrarian view

WM Morrison: A Contrarian view

3 mins. to read

Like a great sail-driven trading ship in mounting seas without a chief officer (The new CEO David Potts is rowed aboard next week) but a busy financial navigator officer (suitably Named as Mr. Strain) keeping the ship sea worthy, William Morrison Plc (MRW) has docked its results for last year. In my judgement they look, on…