Nowadays Cranswick (CWK) is more than just “one of the UK’s leading producers of fresh pork”. I got all excited about sausages and more back in November last year, but I never got around to picking up any shares. Maybe that was wise or lucky given the 35 quid shares back then are now about 32 quid. What do I think after today’s full year numbers?
Back in November I observed that below a 300p share price it might be worth having a look at Kingfisher (KGF). Thanks to the market volatility of the last three months we have been at that level, but there have been other stocks I have been more interested in. So what do I think after today’s first quarter trading update?
I am a bit of a fan of DCC plc (DCC), the “leading international sales, marketing and support services group with a clear focus on performance and growth…operate through three divisions: Energy, Healthcare and Technology”. Back in late December I called it one of my tips of the year for 2022. So how is it getting on?
Volatile times as also shown earlier this week in the United States, with the shares of two huge retailers, Walmart and Target, having their worst days since the stock market volatility of 1987. Interesting times out there. And it is a busy day in the UK market too, with three of my holdings giving an update…
As I observed back in January I am “not a global fashionista nor a chav...but still a Burberry (BRBY) shares fan”. With events since, unsurprisingly the share is down but I can live with that as - at various points over the last few years - I have bought the stock at an average price below the current sub 16 quid share price level. But what do today’s full year numbers to the start of April tell me about both recent and upcoming trading realities?
As a lifelong non-smoker it is a bit ridiculous how much of an investment fan I am of Imperial Brands (IMB) shares, which are up over 8% today after the company’s first half numbers. But if everything that was potentially bad for you was not allowed and taxed then investors in a bunch of other consumer, defence, industrial, commodity and other areas would not be allowed. Given the world’s stock markets do tend to have to figure out over time if a sector and/or company is justifiable or not, my view is that all adults - and pension funds - can figure out whether they want to invest somewhere or not.
Some good news and some less good news for easyJet (EZJ) today. Call me radical but I have booked an easyJet flight for later this year, which is a tiny bit of positive news for its finance team. The less good financial news is that the company is going to have to “offer new and existing cabin crew a £1,000 bonus at the end of the summer holiday season, as airlines battle to retain and recruit staff”. Frankly though, a bit like any company, if it doesn’t have happy and motivated staff it will ultimately struggle. I remain a fan despite a lower share price this morning. And what about Greggs (GRG), which published a trading update this morning? After all a couple of months ago I asked the question “At what share price will I want more than just a vegan sausage roll from Greggs?”...
Back in February I concluded about Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) that it was an “absolutely fine company to use if you are an investor, but in my opinion you do not need to buy its shares…carry on avoiding…”. The share back then was about 1100p and today it is below 850p, i.e. levels last seen back in 2013. Spot the rationale for this with revenue falling in an investment market that is unsurprisingly more and more competitive. I will have another look after its full year results in early August, but would still avoid the shares at least until then. Meanwhile, how am I feeling about BT Group (BT.A) shares after the publishing of its full year numbers earlier today?…
It is now over a year since I wrote about ITV plc (ITV). I am trying to think if I have watched the channel since then but certainly, judging by the over 40% share price fall since, it was wise to observe last May that “if you don’t own it…you can chill…overall like the majority of TV in my opinion a bit of a yawn”. Have I changed my mind at any level today?
You can invest in many different sectors apart from equities, bonds and cash. For myself I like having some gold exposure too, but you can also have (I guess) bitcoin or hedge funds, a second or third home, artwork, green investment angles or infrastructure exposure. The latter is worthy and reasonable but, let’s face it, a bit boring. Nevertheless I am sure a few of you are big fans of 3i Infrastructure (3IN) with its (oh so excitable) aim to “invest responsibly in infrastructure, delivering long-term sustainable returns to shareholders and having a positive impact on our portfolio companies and their stakeholders”...
