Marks & Spencer Group plc Ordinary 25p (MKS)
Sell : 361.30p | Buy : 361.50p | up 3.40p
Prices as at 01:25:24 on 16-03-10 Market closed Search UK shares
Company overview
It was 1894 when Michael Marks met Tom Spencer and founded what is today a major UK retailer for clothes, food and home products. The group now has over 600 stores located throughout the UK, with the largest store located at Marble Arch in London. In addition, the company has over 290 stores worldwide operating in around 40 different countries.HL Comment (6 January 2010)
Marks & Spencer Group PLC recently (06Jan2010) enjoyed its first rise in quarterly sales for over two years, reporting a robust Christmas period whilst also cautioning that 2010’s prospects look uncertain, echoing recent comments from other major retailers. The group posted a rise in like-for-like sales at UK stores of 0.8 per cent, (its fiscal third quarter), marginally below analyst estimates, although the current period did not include the important first day of the company's sales. General merchandise sales rose 1.2 per cent with food growing 0.4 per cent. International sales were up 6 per cent with online sales at M&S Direct particularly strong, rising 32 per cent.Negative Points
- Management outlook comments remained cautious, with taxes expected to rise and government spending potentially cut.
- Britain is taking longer to emerge from recession than most major economies.
- The temporary reduction in VAT has been removed this month (Jan2010).
- Indications so far are that Marks & Spencer traded successfully during the important Christmas period.
- Consumers responded confidently with online sales in particular enjoying double digit gains.
- Project 2020 was launched back in May (2009) an efficiency programme with the aim of increasing shareholder returns.
- The wider economy has shown signs of stability.
On balance market consensus opinion indicates a cautious buy.
All yield figures are variable and not guaranteed.
What the Brokers Say
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Strong
SellStrong
Buy -
Strong Buy: 5 Buy: 0 Neutral: 12 Sell: 2 Strong Sell: 3 Total: 22
This is not a recommendation, it represents the consensus view of a basket of brokers. If less than 5 brokers it may not be a valid consensus. HL might not concur and takes no responsibility.
Report & Accounts
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Important dates
Past events
| Interim Dividend Payment Date | 8-01-2010 |
| Trading Announcement | 6-01-2010 |
| Interim Ex-Dividend Date | 11-11-2009 |
| Interim Results | 4-11-2009 |
| Interim Results | 30-09-2009 |
| Trading Announcement | 30-09-2009 |
| Final Dividend Payment Date | 10-07-2009 |
| AGM | 8-07-2009 |
| Quarterly Results | 1-07-2009 |
| Final Ex-Dividend Date | 27-05-2009 |
| Final Results | 19-05-2009 |
| Interim Results | 19-05-2009 |
| Trading Announcement | 31-03-2009 |
| Interim Dividend Payment Date | 9-01-2009 |
| Trading Announcement | 7-01-2009 |
| Interim Ex-Dividend Date | 12-11-2008 |
| Interim Results | 4-11-2008 |
| Trading Announcement | 2-10-2008 |
| Final Dividend Payment Date | 11-07-2008 |
| AGM | 7-07-2008 |
| Final Ex-Dividend Date | 28-05-2008 |
| Final Results | 20-05-2008 |
| Interim Dividend Payment Date | 11-01-2008 |
| Trading Announcement | 9-01-2008 |
Fundamental Data
| Year Ending | Revenue (m) | Profit Before Tax (m) | EPS (p) | P/E Ratio | PEG | EPS Growth (%) | Total Dividend | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28-03-2009 | 9,062.10 | 706.20 | 32.30 | 9.50 | n/a | (36.00) | 17.80 | 6.70 |
| 29-03-2008 | 9,022.00 | 1,129.10 | 49.20 | 9.10 | n/a | n/a | 22.50 | 5.70 |
| 28-03-2008 | 9,022.00 | 1,129.10 | 49.20 | 9.10 | 1.10 | 8.00 | 22.50 | 5.70 |
| 31-03-2007 | 8,588.10 | 936.70 | 39.10 | 16.70 | 0.60 | 29.00 | 18.30 | 2.70 |
| 01-04-2006 | 7,797.70 | 745.70 | 31.30 | 17.70 | 0.20 | 78.00 | 14.00 | 2.50 |
Latest MKS Director Deals
| Traded | Action | Notifier | Position | Price | Amount | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-03-2010 | Sell | Kate Bostock | Executive Director | 342.75p | 11,914.00 | £40,835.24 |
| 10-03-2010 | Sell | John Dixon | Executive Director | 342.75p | 7,740.00 | £26,528.85 |
| 10-03-2010 | Sell | Steven Sharp | Executive Director | 342.75p | 45,809.00 | £157,010.35 |
| 10-03-2010 | Sell | John Dixon | Executive Director | 342.75p | 10,276.00 | £35,220.99 |
| 8-01-2010 | Buy Dividends | Steven Sharp | Executive Director | 370.87p | 4,287.00 | £15,899.20 |
| 8-01-2010 | Buy Dividends | John Dixon | Executive Director | 370.87p | 1,029.00 | £3,816.25 |
Any Overview and Comment is provided by Hargreaves Lansdown. What the Brokers Say, Important Dates and Financials are supplied by Digital Look Ltd. Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes.