numberbiter
19 Jan 2017
Re: What... Anyone who takes any notice of alleged 'expert' analysts, especially when they work for banks, need their head examined. So Deutsche only a week or so ago downgrades Halfords to a sell with a target price of 310p. What's more they give a variety of reasons for the downgrade, none of which are valid and today the price stands at 386p, up 33p so far this morning,Being an analyst for a bank must be the only job where you get paid well for knowing very little.
Hardboy
19 Jan 2017
Re: Today's update One of the nice things about Halfords' business is that when one part of the business is flagging others are invariably flying. Different bits do better at different times in the economic cycle.
Lupo di mare
19 Jan 2017
Today's update That's nice, thanks Mac, another 10p .Everything looking good; although autocentres could do better. Still, at least they're more or less holding their own (autos).Wonder what Deutsche Bank will have to say...
Bobtheretiredbroker
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... According to The Times today, hedge funds have substantial short positions in the retail sector, especially in Debenhams, Morrisons and Halfords.Next releases a trading update tomorrow.I am not unduly concerned and will continue to hold Halfords, my only position in this sector.
Lupo di mare
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... But online was up."On average, the weekend as a whole saw a drop of 16% across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks, the analysis said. However, increased sales poured in over the two days thanks to online shopping, which shot up 6.8% – including 18% on New Year’s Eve."I'm holding.
Derek Hope
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... Shopper numbers plunged dramatically at the weekend in a sign that experts said augured badly for the new year. Visits to shopping centres were down by a half on New Year's Day compared with the same day in 2016, according to Springboard retail intelligence. - The Times
Hardboy
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... The 3 biggest fallers on the 100 are M&S, Dixons & Next, so, as DB downgraded both Halfords & Next there may be a cause & effect thing with retailers.
Spain Fund
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... Deutsche downgraded Halfords to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’, cutting the price target to 310p from 320p. It said that while the company’s range should prove fairly resilient in a soft UK consumer environment this year, the weak pound has already started to precipitate cautious comments on gross margins.In addition, it pointed out that the group has relatively high operating leverage and is unlikely to have significant scope for cost-savings as it continues to build its customer- and service-centric capabilities.“The acquisition of direct/ online specialists Tredz and Wheelies should accelerate digital development but not distract investors from core challenges.”
Lupo di mare
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... Ah, got it, yes it was Deutsche Bank that was responsible for the falls:-"Meanwhile, clothing and homeware retailer Next was the worst performing blue-chip stock, down 3.2%, after Deutsche Bank cut it to Hold from Buy. The German bank also cut bicycles and car-parts retailer Halfords Group to Sell from Hold, making it the biggest FTSE 250 faller, down 6.5%."
Hardboy
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... Retailers - Next Dixons etc are among the biggest fallers - maybe there is some data about the Christmas Shopping period.
Bobtheretiredbroker
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... Same broker cut price target from 330p to 320p in mid-November, but had a "hold" rating then.
Bobtheretiredbroker
03 Jan 2017
Re: What... According to BBC website, it's a downgrade by analyst at Deutsche Bank.
Lupo di mare
03 Jan 2017
What... WTFGO, down 7% ish on no news. Shorters? Bikes been banned?
Hardboy
12 Nov 2016
Re: Beauforts' View I tend to agree Lupo. Medium term fairly safe investment with good secure yield. If the main problem in their business is that they import a lot of items & pay for them in $ maybe they need to be looking for other suppliers, and/or renegotiating deals. Whilst not quite in the Tesco league, they should still have quite a bit of leverage with suppliers.
Lupo di mare
11 Nov 2016
Re: Beauforts' View Reasonable summary, I'd say.I actually quite liked the Interim Report, in as much as they seem to on top of the business and are doing the right things.Certainly, navigating currency fluctuations is going to keep them occupied over the next couple of years. Right now, we're seeing the £ strengthening against the $ and euro, at least. Free cash flow is ok and debt isn't a problem; so there's room for acquisitions.Divi seems safe enough. Do I want to park a bit more of my hard-earned at 5%? Yes, I think that will do nicely, thanks.
