Currently two weeks into a self-imposed January booze ban my newly refreshed brain got thinking about the economic impact caused by the many drinkers who abstain from alcohol at this time of year. “Dry January”, as it is commonly known, is in fact a relatively recent phenomenon, with the trademark being registered by the charity…
The Ghost of Christmas Past I see that a year ago my note on Tesco contained the following observation: “Cutting the dividend has helped to push the share price northwards. That is because the market clearly sees it as a welcome sign of balance and better judgement by the new Tesco management in setting priorities.…
William Morrison (MRW) at 165p after the Christmas trading statement. The management’s performance is attractively successful and confident. Trading over Christmas was far better than expected. I shall watch to see if the share price breaks out of this year’s downtrend. It looks close to doing so. The William Morrison (MRW) share price may have…
Marks & Spencer at 439p (last seen) after Q3 results. Food, glorious food, but inglorious general merchandising. Operationally, an improved performance. My view: watch and wait to buy. Marks & Spencer (MKS) results, when they come, have the problem of being viewed mainly in relation to one aspect of its business mix – that is…
As seen in this month’s Master Investor Magazine. James Faulkner: Thank you for taking the time to speak with Master Investor. Please give our readers a brief overview of GB Group, for the benefit of the uninitiated. David Wilson: GB Group, trading as GBG, is a global specialist in Identity Data Intelligence. This means we…
I offer an updated view of Royal Mail (RMG) equity after the share price bounces 10% from its recent low. The shares look attractive with an above average dividend yield and a fair valuation of estimated earnings. I note that the Royal Mail Group (RMG) has rallied ten per cent this month – an occasion…
Chancellor Osborne’s proclamation about the ‘cocktail’ of economic threats to his National Accounting Jerusalem has left the market shaken but not stirred – he is acting as the alter ego of James Bond. It was of course, inevitably, more of a politically motivated PR statement, than a new economic prediction. He evidently wanted to get ahead…
Next (NXT) shares, at 6,860p after the Christmas trading period report, look good value on a one-year view. Should it prove a falling market generally, the estimated dividend yield gives the shares defensive qualities as well a useful income stream for their owners. Already, thoughts are stretching to next Christmas and that, in theory, should…
2015 was a particularly tough year for British equities. At the beginning of the second quarter everything was gaining traction with the FTSE 100 index rising 8.5pc and recording a multi-year high at 7,122.74; but then things soured and the index was caught in a huge descent that stole 1,250 points from that level. With…
Summary – Twitter still provides unique offerings over other social networks. – While the MAU and revenue growth have been declining, 300m+ MAUs is already a strong base, and 30-40% revenue growth is respectable. Twitter has declined 40% over the last year and 70% over the last two years. This sell-off seems unwarranted. – I…
