Just wondering if the recent fall in Greggs has been overdone. Being based in the north-east,they still maintain market superiority. Some of the staff I have spoken to seem to be getting all the overime they can handle and one of the major local rivals, Peters (70 stores in the area), has been closed for the last few days due to a fire at their distribution centre.

Any thoughts welcome

Interim Results

First half financial highlights
· Total sales up 7.3% to £453m
· Company-managed shop like-for-like sales* up 3.4%
· Operating profit excluding property gains** and exceptional charge*** up 1.8% to £27.6m
· Exceptional costs of £8.3m relating to previously announced restructuring
· Pre-tax profit including property profits and exceptional charges £19.4m
· Continued strong cash generation: £34.0m net inflow from operating activities
· Ordinary interim dividend per share up 8.4% to 10.3p

* like-for-like sales in Company-managed shops (excluding franchises) with a calendar year's trading history
** freehold property disposal gains of £0.3m in 2017 (2016: £2.2m)
*** exceptional pre-tax charge of £8.3m in 2017 (2016: £4.0m) in relation to previously announced restructuring


Operational highlights
· Continued like-for-like sales growth from:
- Coffee and breakfast
- 'Balanced Choice' range including new salads and drinks
- Hot food choices
- Traditional savoury favourites
· Shop opening programme progressing well:
- 61 new shops opened, 19 closures; expect around 100 net new shops for the year as a whole
- 1,806 shops trading as at 1 July 2017
· Roll out of new central forecasting and replenishment system successfully completed ahead of plan
· Supply chain investment programme on track

Berenberg Buy 1,172.50 1,020.00 1,300.00 Upgrades

Yesterday's Trading statement http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5688640

Not traded these for ages but a tidy chart over the last year or so noted.

StockMarketWire.com
Greggs reported 3.7% like-for-like sales in the year to the end of December, down from the 4.2% growth reported in 2016 amid challenging consumer environment.

The company said economic conditions became more challenging in 2017, as business cost inflation rose due to food ingredient and labour cost increases. This contributed to year-on-year margin slippage.

Total sales rose 7.4% to £960m from £894.2m , while pre-tax profit fell to £71.9m from £75.1m.

The bakery chain increased its dividend by 4.2% to 32.3p per share, compared with 31p per share last year.

"In 2017 we delivered another strong performance in challenging economic circumstances as rising inflation impacted both our own costs and customers' disposable income.

'At the same time we continued to make good progress with our business transformation programme,' said Roger Whiteside, Chief Executive.

'Whilst the UK consumer outlook remains challenging, we are encouraged by the start to the year.

'2018 will be the peak year for investment in our supply chain as we create the platforms for further growth.

'We also plan to open a record number of new shops as we implement our plan to grow Greggs as a leading food-on-the-go brand.'

Cash generated from operations steady at nearly £135M a big plus for me, at a time when they are undergoing significant change. Slow growth punished today, perhaps a buying ooportunity for the brave (and patient) but always dyor.

StockMarketWire.com
Greggs warned on Wednesday it was cautious on the outlook for full-year sales given the 'uncertainties' over market footfall after reporting a slower pace of sales in the first 18 weeks of the year.

Total sales for the 18 weeks to 5 May 2018 grew by 4.7%, slower than the 7.4% growth seen in the same period a year ago as adverse weather in March and April weighed on footfall.

Like-for-like sales in company-managed shops grew by 1.3% over the same period, also slower than the 3.5% growth the prior period.

The firm said average transaction values continued to grow but like-for-like transaction numbers fell.

Greggs said it had opened 41 new shops during the period.

Greggs having a bit of a sell off.

Notice for trading update http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6130668

Results https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6159598

Up nearly 7.5%

Kames Capital Plc add https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6215282

Trading statement https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6221952

Up nearly 14%... the high street's dead you know 😉

Massachusetts Financial Services Company reduce https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6225448

Massachusetts Financial Services Company reduce again https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6237619

FOURTH QUARTER TRADING UPDATE

Greggs is the leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer in the UK,

with more than 1,950 retail outlets throughout the country


A strong finish to a year of significant strategic progress

Financial year 2018*

· Total sales up 7.2%

· Company-managed shop like-for-like sales up 2.9% (H1: 1.5%, H2:4.2%)

· 149 new shops opened in the year, 50 closures

· 1,953 shops trading as at 29 December 2018

· Full year underlying profit before tax expected to be at least £88m

* 52 weeks ended 29 December 2018 (2017: 52 weeks ended 30 December 2017)

more.....

Trading Update https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6317994

Up over + 8%