Minding the London Stock Exchange’s Business
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Even a few of our detractors have now come around
Hello, Share Pasters. It’s likely most companies will make a jaunty recovery once they resume normal service. But not all firms will rally. And and some will vanish altogether. Let’s have a look at sectors it may be wise to avoid in future or perhaps cash in any shares you already have.
Hello Share Funsters, We were all cheered when vaccine news from Fizer sent shares shooting forward a few days ago. But the value of my own portfolio was disappointingly unchanged. That’s because I have a few Covid plays. And because the jab news depressed the prospects of companies which have benefitted from the epidemic, the rise in the value of my Shell (RDSA) BP. (BP.) Compass (CPG) and Whitbread (WTB) was cancelled out by my covid plays.
Hello, Share Clampers. A company which has always commanded my unswerving loyalty, ever since it owned Yorkshire Television in the last century, is the big caterer Compass (CPG). But, of course, mass catering, especially in works canteens, has taken a massive hit with Covid. Nevertheless, I think this respected giant should soon recover. It has money reserves available to cope with most viral disasters…
Hello, Share Shapers. These are peculiar times indeed. A company that I’ve oft praised on this website has dropped a heck of a lot in value, and yet it’s still one of the best run and reliable British blue-chip companies of all time. This sad virus crisis has turned everything on its head but most sensible analysts expect most shares prices to recover totally eventually, as they nearly always do after disaster...
Hello, Share Chewers. It’s a bit disappointing how shares in the giant caterer Compass (CPG) fail to soar. I’ve held the shares ever since it was called Granada, which is over 20 years ago. I get average dividends year in year out. Yet no matter how good the figures look - and there’s usually an improvement every year - the share price can be comatose...
Hello, Share Scrummers. When the going gets tough out there in the Big City, as now, the sensible approach is to buy shares in companies which may be hit by the general situation, but which seem as strong as an ox and could be among the first to bounce back in the almost inevitable rally.
Hello, Share Scramblers. We’ve all found to our cost that just because a company is big enough to be in the Footsie, doesn’t mean it’s any more immune than the rest from disaster. But some shares still seem more reliable than others.
Hello Share Farmers. A share which I have held ever since Yorkshire Television was snapped up by Granada is Compass (CPG). This is the Footsie catering giant which Granada was absorbed into.
Hello Share Takers. Compass Group (CPS) is one of my all time favourites, but it is not a fast mover. We have here more of a slow steady profitable company that rarely sees huge jumps, and even rare falls in its share price.
Hello Share Tweakers. Everyone has a few shares in their bag which they consider as super reliable. This faith can sometimes backfire, as we all know to our cost. But it’s not a frequent happenstance.
Hello Share Slurpers. After four years’ dedicated slog, I have finished my blockbuster crime/horror novel. So I've been sending it, one at a time, to literary agents. This is a scary moment, as it could mean four years down the pan. However, I have not made a great deal of money out of my shares over the last four years, either.
Hello Share Twisters. Every so often I return to Compass (CPG) the big caterer and office services provider. The company can be found in offices, factories, schools, hospitals and other such places in about fifty countries. And I like it because this stock continues to bring home the goods.
Hello Easter Bunnies. Please take notes. While the stock markets take an undeserved breather at this daffodil time, it’s an opportunity to send you an encouraging message for the rest of 2016.But before that, chums, let’s not forget the true meaning of Easter - and it is not making more money. See you in church.
Hello Share Pals, it's a thrilling time for my 21-year-old son, Jack. He has opened his very first share account with Traders Own. Being a student, he hasn't got much spare cash, but he has interred £1,000 into his golden fund. Now he needs five companies to dive into. I've got some suggestions for him below
Hello Share Smashers. I drew your attention a while back to Creightons (CRL). It fashions toiletries and things which make your car smell nice. The very popular Lidl is an outlet for its produce.
Hello Share Chippers. For the last few months, I've felt a bit of a fraud. I've been telling you about some companies I thought were good investments. Some have gone onto to new all-time highs. Inmarsat (ISAT). Legal and General (LGEN) Compass (CPG) Arm Holdings (ARM) have all done really well.
Hello Share Sorters. There are two companies in my bag which are almost certainly going to do better others this Christmas.
Hello Share Rockers. It's only 24 days to go now, gang. And we are now seeing, at last, the fabled Santa Rally. Will it keep on going? You bet it will. The Footsie will probably not slow down until the New Year, except for the odd mini correction for the sake of good taste.
