Ian Pollard – Can Marks #MKS remain independent?

Marks & Spencer MKS looks like it has definately claimed top position as 2018’s big time Christmas loser. In the 13 weeks to the 29th December International sales collapsed by a frightening 15% which is not surprising when you look firstly at the poor service offered by some of its overseas stores and more importantly […]

Ian Pollard – HSBC Believes It Is Enhancing Its Reputation

HSBC Holdings HSBA saw growth in operating expenses easily outstrip the banks increase in revenue. Todays interim results reveal reveal that during the first half, revenue rose by 4% whilst operating expenses grew by 7%., or 8% on an adjusted basis. Adjusted profit before tax fell by 2%. The Group Chairman descended from on high […]

Ian Pollard – Tesco Forecasts £1.57 Billion Profits and 2p Final Dividend

Tesco TSCO is to publish its prospectus and other documents later today for its proposed merger with Booker. These will include a profit forecast of £1,57 billion for the year to 24th February 2018 and an intention to pay a final dividend of 2p per share. Electrocomponents ECM  The quarter to the 31st January produced […]

Zak Mir interviews Zaf Karim, CEO of Legendary Investments #LEG on Core Finance

With a potential NZ Banking License and a Nasdaq Listing for its VirtualStock asset, 2018 has started with great expectations for Legendary Investments #LEG, where private investors can play the private equity game. CEO Zaf Karim stepped into ZaksTradersCafe to explain more. Legendary Investments #LEG announced last week that their invested company and jewel in the […]

Ian Pollard – Marks Trounced By Tesco

Marks & Spencer MKS Brave words from Steve Rowe as he tries to explain away Marks continued decline both at home and abroad. Group third quarter sales for  the thirteen weeks  to the 30th December fell by 0.1%. In the UK total sales fell by 1.4% with clothing and home down by 2.8% which should […]

Ian Pollard – Pop Down To The Amazon, Will You, Pet

Tesco plc TSCO The competition and Markets Authority has given its blessing, or unconditional final clearance, as they say in the city, to Tesco’s proposed merger with Booker Group. Completion of the merger is expected in March after shareholders meetings in February. I can’t help thinking that Tesco will rue the day when management decided […]

WPP Now Failing To Meet Budget and Forecasts

WPP plc WPP has not enjoyed a good first half to the year and what on the face of it appear to be very healthy growth in profits ,are distorted by comparison with the first half of 2016 when there were exceptional net costs of 122m. On a constant currency and like for like basis […]

The High Street – Still Alive And Kicking But Online Threat Grows

Marks & Spencer MKS gives a very brief summary of its trading for the 13 weeks to the 31st December. Group sales rose by 5.9% on a reported basis. Food did well with a rise of 5.6% or 0.6% on a like for like basis and  continuing to increase its market share. Sales in clothing […]