What’s in store for British supermarket shares?

Miranda Wadham
-
0
What’s in store for British supermarket shares?

British supermarkets may well have put an end to their steady downward spiral, according to the latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

For the 12 weeks ending 28 February 2016, supermarkets saw small increase in supermarket sales, up by 0.5 percent compared with a year ago. Whilst a relatively minimal rise in comparison to the problems the market has been experiencing over the last year, it remains the fastest rate of growth since October 2015. However, falling grocery prices remain a problem for the chain, down 1.6 percent. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, commented on the figures:

“Despite prices continuing to decline, the combination of Valentine’s Day, and consumers stocking up for an early Easter has boosted certain categories. February chocolate sales are up by 13 percent, cut flowers have increased by 7 percent, and sparkling wine sales are up by 15 percent. New Year resolutions to eat more healthily don’t seem to have been forgotten, helping fruit and vegetable revenues to grow by 4 percent despite like-for-like produce prices falling.”

Individually, Sainsbury’s was the winner again, becoming the only one of the Big Four to increase overall spend. Sales grew for the eighth period in a row, up by 0.5 percent – this is the longest run of sales growth for any of the four main retailers since March 2013. However, overall share remained flat at 16.8 percent.

Tesco also continued to see positive figures, improving on last month’s 1.6 percent decline with a decline of 0.8 percent. A renewed focus on price promotions has helped stem the flow of shoppers leaving the retailer despite the closure of around 50 stores in the last year.

However, Morrisons in-store sales remain disappointing – down by 3.2 percent due to operating fewer stores than last year. This is partially offset by a strong growth in online sales, with its forthcoming tie-up with Amazon possibly provide another boost to the business. Discounters Aldi and Lidl continue to offer a challenge to the Big Four, with their combined share climbing back to the 10 percent high they reached before Christmas. Lidl’s sales grew by 18.9 percent and Aldi’s by 15.1 percent.

Tesco (LON:TSCO) shares are higher this morning at 193.75, with Morrisons (LON:MRW) down 2.67 percent at 206.60.

Miranda Wadham on 08/03/2016

Special Report: Compounding Your Portfolio Returns

UK Investor Magazine
-
0
Special Report: Compounding Your Portfolio Returns

Discover the power of implementing a compounding strategy when investing in shares.

This special report covers the wonders of applying an element of compounding to your portfolio and presents the sectors and stocks ideal for pursuing such a strategy.

The power of compounding is underestimated by many investors and the aim of this report is to empower individual investors and give them the knowledge to create long-term returns.

This report covers:

  • Sectors and stocks ideal for compounding

  • Compounding statistics

  • The basics of compounding your returns

  • Those stocks to treat with caution

Download this report now for free for a limited time.

A copy will be emailed to you immediately.

Copyright Fat Prophets® is a registered trade mark/trading name of Mint Financial (UK) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Number 220591, registered in England and Wales, Number 04255908, with a registered office at 100 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5JD. (www.fatprophets.co.uk)
DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed herein are for information purposes only. They are subject to change without notice, and do not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or individual needs of any particular person. They should not be viewed as recommendations, independent research, or advice of any kind. The views accurately reflect the personal views of the author. They are not personal recommendations and should not be regarded as solicitations or offers to buy or sell any of the securities or instruments mentioned. The views are based on public information that we considers reliable but does not represent that the information contained herein is accurate or complete. With investment comes risk. The price and value of investments mentioned and income arising from them may fluctuate. Past performance is not an indicator of future results, and future returns are not guaranteed. We acknowledge an individual’s tax situation is unique and tax legislation may be subject to change in the future

Budget airline Fastjet sees shares fall by a third

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Budget airline Fastjet sees shares fall by a third
Shares in African budget airline Fastjet fell by a third this morning as challenging market conditions hit the company harder than expected. In a statement, Fastjet announced the effects of low demand had been “a lot more prolonged than management originally forecast” and, despite taking action to manage costs and overheads, expects results for 2016 to be “significantly below market expectations.” They added that the Group no longer expected to be cash flow positive for the year. However, the company has “sufficient funds to meet its operational requirements” and may consider raising further funds later this year. “We remain confident in its low-cost airline model and is well positioned to capture the significant growth potential of the developing African aviation market.” Fastjet (LON:FJET) is currently trading down 30.41 percent at 46.80 (0947GMT). 
07/03/2016

Morning Round-Up: EDF director resigns, Asian shares up, Old Mutual respond to press

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Morning Round-Up: EDF director resigns, Asian shares up, Old Mutual respond to press

Hinkley nuclear plant in jeopardy?

The finance director of energy firm EDF has resigned from his position in protest against the building of an £18 billion Hinkley Point nuclear power plant.

Thomas Piquemal stepped down on Sunday after saying that going ahead with the plant could jeopardise EDF’s financial position. The French group already has rising debts, causing several Union members on the board to oppose the project for the same reason. The resignation of Piquemal is likely to delay the plant in the short term, a project which has been cited by George Osborne as one of the only ways to ensure the lights are kept on in Britain. Last year, EDF obtained investment from the China General Nuclear Power Corporation equal to a third of the cost of the project, in exchange for a 33.5 percent stake. EDF (EPA:EDF) shares opened 8.2% lower on Monday. Asian shares make gains after strong China statements Asian shares hit two-month highs on Monday after strong US jobs data and several statements from Chinese leaders that the economy was not in decline. On Saturday Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang announced a new five-year economic plan, including an economic growth target of 6.5 to 7 percent and a moderate increase in the fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GDP this year. This plan was backed up by comments from China’s chief economic planner Xu Shaoshi, who said that China will “absolutely not experience a hard landing”, and said recent predictions of Chinese market crash are “destined to come to nothing”. However, the China’s National People’s Congress have lowered the economic growth target for 2016 to a range of between 6.5 percent and 7 percent. Old Mutual shares up on clarifying statement Financial services company Old Mutual issued a statement on Monday with regard to recent press speculation suggesting it was planning a multi-million pound break up. The company made it clear that it was considering “all options available to it”. “When our new Chief Executive Bruce Hemphill joined on 1 November 2015, we announced that we would be conducting a strategic review. “We can confirm that all options for the strategic review are being considered but no decision has yet been made.” It added that it would give an update on March 11, when it announces preliminary results. Old Mutual (LON:OML) shares have shot up 8.4 percent on the news, trading at 194.80 (0921GMT). 
Miranda Wadham on 07/03/2015
   

Devon Luxury Beach Development – 8%-10% Yield

UK Investor Magazine
-
0
Devon Luxury Beach Development – 8%-10% Yield
Sponsored Content

Phase III Development Highlights:

  • Luxury Two-Bed Apartments & 3-Bed Duplexes
  • Award Winning Developer
  • Phase I and II Sold Out & Fully Operational
  • Short Walk from Devon’s Only Blue Flag Beach
  • Excellent Onsite Facilities
  • Fully Managed by Developer’s Own Hotelier

Investment Highlights:

  • 10-12% NET Fixed Income for 10 Years
  • 5% Interest on Deposited Payments During Construction
  • 10-Year Structural Warranty
  • Proven Income from Initial Phases
  • Contracts Underwritten by Asset-Rich Developer
  • Available from £160,000

Why Westbeach, Devon?

Westbeach provides buyers with a rare opportunity to purchase a brand new two-bed or 3-bed duplex on one of the UK’s most popular stretches of coastline.

All guests will have access to the property’s excellent onsite facilities, including a restaurant, fully licensed bar and the town’s only indoor swimming pool.

The previous two phases are now completely sold out, and Phase I has proven income generation. Buyers are offered fixed NET returns rising from 10% (in years 1-5) to 12% (in years 6-10), as well as fully flexible resale options.

⇒10-12% Net Rental Yields Fixed For Ten Years

 

⇒Proven Income Generating Asset

 

⇒Prime Devon Golden Coast location

 

Articles are general information and not a recommendation to act. Please seek independent investment advice before entering into any financial transaction. By entering into any financial transaction that involves securities, derivatives or property puts your capital at risk. The UK Investor Magazine is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and will not accept any liability for any action taken after using this website in any form. By entering your details

By entering your details you agree to be contacted by UK Investor Magazine and the company operating this investment opportunity regarding this opportunity specifically and similar investment opportunities and news.

Apple v FBI case rages on, opposing coalitions emerge

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Apple v FBI case rages on, opposing coalitions emerge

The high-profile battle between US tech giant Apple and the FBI rages on, as legal briefs are filed by some of the biggest names in tech including Twitter, Facebook and Google, as well as the victims’ families.

Two main coalitions have emerged, one of which includes Amazon, Facebook, Cisco Systems and Snapchat, another including industry giants eBay, LinkedIn and Twitter. The breadth of support across Silicon Valley in favour of consumers’ privacy is unprecedented and will undoubtedly present a strong opposition to the US government.

The legal briefs have advanced several arguments, including that Congress passed the All Writs Act more than 200 years ago, as well as contending that the US Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) of 1994, along with other statutes, has set boundaries for what companies can and cannot be legitimately forced to comply with. Apple’s main argument is that the move would jeopardise the trust it has with its customers and create a backdoor for government agencies to access customer data, as well as setting a dangerous precedent globally.

The six relatives of the San Bernardino attack victims also filed briefs on Thursday opposing Apple’s argument, alongside three California law enforcement groups, three federal law enforcement groups and the San Bernardino district attorney.

The FBI have asked Apple to create a method to circumvent standard iPhone security measures in place on the phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, the gunman behind the San Bernardino terror attack in which 14 people were killed. Currently no way to do this exists, and Apple say that complying with the FBI’s request endangers the personal information of its millions of iPhone users.

04/03/2016

Morning Round-Up: record wins for ad group WPP, LSE post strong profit and Japan in trouble

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Morning Round-Up: record wins for ad group WPP, LSE post strong profit and Japan in trouble
WPP posts fifth record year The world’s biggest advertising company WPP, who own agencies JWT and Ogilvy & Mather, have posted their fifth record year in a row after a string of major account wins. Net new business rose to £5.6 billion, with the company reporting fourth-quarter like-for-like net sales growth of 4.9 percent. The full-year figure rose to 3.3 percent, slightly ahead of forecasts. However, WPP’s CEO Martin Sorrell warned that “despite this strong performance, the always on, Don Draperish general industry optimism seems misplaced.” Overall revenue rose 6.1 percent to £12.2 billion. Strong profits for LSE on merger The London Stock Exchange Group posted a 31 percent rise in pre-tax profits this morning, with a figure of £643.4 million. The company, who also own Borsa Italiana, are currently in talks with Deutsche Boerse to create a pan-European trading house, potentially boosting profits and creating substantial revenue. Disappointing figures for Japanese economy According to a poll by Reuters analysts, the Japanese economy is forecast to have shrunk by an annualised 1.5 percent between October and December 2015. The quarter-on-quarter gross domestic product was seen down 0.4 percent, unchanged from the initial estimate. A further Reuters poll also showed that the Japanese government is expected to cut its negative interest rates further to minus 0.2 percent at or before its July meeting, as a series of recent measures fail to stabilise the country’s rocky economy. 
04/03/2016

Start-up Butterware seeking investment to revolutionise work lunches

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Start-up Butterware seeking investment to revolutionise work lunches

Butterware, a pioneer of online ordering websites that is set to revolutionise the lunch-to-go market, has launched an investment campaign to support its expansion.

The company was started in 2011 and has rapidly become the market leader in providing e-commerce sites to the sector, allowing lunch providers – including sandwich shops, delivery vans and caterers – to take online orders, with each site branded to the food supplier’s own spec.

In order to take the next step, Butterware is looking for an investment of £280,000 to help further develop its software, support its expansion and help its clients market their online-ordering service.

“We’ve been consistently innovating within the lunch-to-go market, helping existing customers grow their businesses while also making significant gains in efficiency,” said Butterware founder and managing director, Graeme Simpson. “The investment will be used to fund both development and marketing, helping Butterware to reach a greater audience and educate the catering industry about the benefits of online ordering.”

The scope for Butterware is huge, with the British Sandwich Association estimating the lunchtime sandwich market at £4bn. Graeme believes investors in Butterware will enjoy a compound yield of 9.32% per year over a five-year period.

Graeme Simpson-1
Butterware’s founder, Graeme Simpson

According to Graeme, his inspiration came from his own experience working on an industrial estate: “I was fed up with the butty van turning up with almost nothing left. And because we had only 30 minutes for lunch, racing off to find somewhere and then spending another ten minutes in the queue was painful. Butterware was born out of a desire to solve these problems.”

The system is simple: the custom-branded online ordering websites allow lunch-to-go businesses to take orders for collection or delivery, for individual orders or buffets. This can improve efficiency, reduce wastage and increase revenue, as well as provide a more modern service to customers. In turn, customers can have their lunch delivered, or arrive and collect it without wasting part of their precious lunch break queueing, ordering and paying.

Over the years, Butterware has added numerous features to improve the service, such as built-in reports, newsletters, recommend-a-friend schemes and vouchers, all of which allow lunch-to-go businesses to build their brand and grow their businesses profitably.

For further information about the investment, visit http://invest.butterware.co.uk. For more information about Butterware visit http://www.butterware.co.uk.

03/03/2016

Whitbread shares sink on disappointing Costa results

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Whitbread shares sink on disappointing Costa results
Costa owner Whitbread (LON:WTB) saw shares fall over 5 percent on Thursday, after the company disclosed another set of disappointing financial results. Sales at Costa grew by just 0.5 percent in the last 11 weeks, compared to growth of 3.7 percent in the first 40 weeks of the financial year, with Whitbread citing the unusually warm weather bringing lower footfall into stores. Total worldwide total sales fared better, growing by 14.2 percent. Its Premier Inn arm also showed slower growth than expected, growing 2.2 percent this quarter, down from 4.9 percent in the first 40 weeks of the year. However its occupancy rates remained high, at 81.1 percent with total room nights sold increased by 7.4 percent to 17.0 million. Alison Brittain, Whitbread’s CEO, commented on the results: “Whitbread has had another good trading period, delivering year to date total sales growth of 10.4% and like for like sales growth of 3.2%. We expect to report full year profit in line with expectations. “In the year ahead, as we build towards our growth milestones, we will continue to invest in improving our customer propositions, our digital and IT capabilities and in our winning teams to ensure we maintain our market leading positions. This will deliver long term profitable growth and sustainable returns for our shareholders.” Whitbread shares are currently down 5.88 percent at 3811.00 (1251GMT).  

Morning Round-Up: house prices down, China weak and damages agreed for Brazil disaster

Miranda Wadham
-
0
Morning Round-Up: house prices down, China weak and damages agreed for Brazil disaster
UK house price growth British house prices fell unexpectedly last month, according to mortgage lender Halifax. but were still almost 10 percent higher than a year ago, mortgage lender Halifax said on Thursday. House prices fell 1.4 percent in February, in stark contrast to January’s 1.7 percent increase. However, prices remained almost 10 percent higher than this time last year, with annual house price growth remaining steady at 9.7 percent over the last quarter. Weak services growth in China More disappointing data has emerged from China this morning, this time showing that services business activity growth has slowed since January. as manufacturers report further fall in output Composite employment has fallen at its quickest rate in six months, with manufacturers reporting a sharp fall in output. Input costs have also increased at the composite level for the first time in 18 months. The latest figures from Caixin’s China General Services Business Activity Index, released this morning, show the figure for China falling to 51.2, from January’s six-month high of 52.4. However, the figure remains above the 50 needed to indicate growth, rather than stagnation. Agreement reached over Brazil mud-slide

The joint owners of a Brazilian mine which breached a dam and started a deadly mudslide have agreed to pay 4.4 billion reais in damages to the Brazilian government, for what has been seen as the country’s worst environmental disaster.

The figure is much lower than the 20 billion reais originally wanted by Brazil as reparation. In November, the mine caused two dams to burst, wiping out the town of Mariana and killing 19 people. In February, a police investigation found a Samarco executive negligent in his actions. 
03/03/2016
1...1,7381,7391,740...1,835Page 1,739 of 1,835