Ian Pollard -“Robust” Card Factory #CARD Sees Profits Fall 8.3%
Card Factory plc CARD claims a robust performance in a challenging consumer environment for the year to the 31st December. Unfortunately looking at the actual figures, robust must mean different things to different people.. True, revenue rose by 3% although on a like-for-like basis sales were flat. However profit before tax fell by 8.3%, EBITDA […]
Ian Pollard – More headwinds, volatility, weak & challenging markets and footfall
Next plc NXT First half full price sales were up +4.5% on last year,. ahead of the +1.0% guidance given in January and the +2.2% given in May and even coming as a surprise to Next itself which admits that its performance was flattered by the unusually warm summer. The reality is that the market […]
Ian Pollard – Sharp profits fall at Card Factory
Card Factory plc CARD seems undecided as to how to explain the impact of increased costs which it blames for a fairly large drop in profits whilst at the same promising another special dividend for shareholders of between 5-10p per share with the half year results. The problem is that apart from increased foreign exchange costs […]
Card Factory Pressured By Having To Pay A Living Wage
Card Factory CARD produced sales growth of 6.7% in the 9 months to the 31st October fuelled by the opening of 38 net new stores, bringing the UK total to 903 and with more to come during the final quarter. The strong first half sales performance has continued into quarter 3 but profits will be […]
United Utilities – High Level Of Regional Deprivation
United Utilities UU complains that its customers and the area in which they live suffer from high levels of income deprivation ie “a damaging lack of basic material benefits.” I wonder what its customers think to that slur. Shareholders need not fear however, as the company has “innovative facilities for enhanced engagement with its customers” […]
Thomas Cook Hit Hard in Continental Europe
Thomas Cook TCG has been hit hard in Continental Europe with prices down 3% compared to last year on top of a 9% fall in bookings. Belgium is down significantly following the Brussels terror attacks and Germany is showing a 6% fall compared to 2015. Overall today’s pre close update shows strong demand for most […]
In Line & Boring Day Saved by Card Factory & Koovs
Rarely have so many companies had so little to say about themselves. Not a single boast this morning. One of the few hints of excitement comes from Card Factory CARD which is increasing it’s final dividend by 33%, making a 25% increase for the year as a whole. Profit before tax rose by 96.2%, fifty net new […]