selling LLOY branches to NAB means more of our banks will be foreign controlled is that Cameron's plan?

Merrill Lynch note:
"We met the Finance Director on Monday and were somewhat surprised that Lloyds were pushing ahead with the sale of 600 branches, regardless of the ICB overhang. Reading the FT this morning helps explain why. On the front page is an article quoting Virgin Moneys Richard Branson (one of the more serious potential bidders) suggesting the EU package of branches would be enough to allow it to become "a formidable competitor in the UK" and that the ICB was only going to muddy the waters and delay things.

For Lloyds such a public display that supports both its and the EUs views, by the people who are likely to buy the assets, must be a huge shot in the arm. In our view, this would importantly provide the government with a truly independent and real life alternative to the ICBs draconian thinking - we think this article is very significant. Given the recent demise Lloyds has pulled back to stand at 0.8x 2011 T/NAV. Whilst we all know there are still issues, the current share price is back to where it was 18 months ago and completely ignores the progress the bank has made in sorting out its funding and further de-risking the balance sheet.

Given all the uncertainty around the 30th June strategy day, the ICB, the economy and the broader sovereign issues, we have been keeping our powder dry looking for an opportunity to ramp up the noise again. We can wait no longer.
Now (currently) a consensus short, even if the normalised EPS was 8p (not 10p), the shares would be worth a lot more than the current 50p share price. With the consensus view now so bearish and expectations at post crisis lows, we think going into the investor day underweight would be a massive risk and we would strongly recommend that investors take another look at Lloyds at these prices".

Harry that sounds sound!

It does, but what we need is a contrary opinion just to present a balanced view, but none forthcoming atm. Most brokers seem to agree that being short LLOY needs serious reviewing.

Harry - I've just had this through - it made me chuckle.

this is flying up right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!


yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

i would not wanna be outta lloy this weekend with all the t/o whisphers

very strong rumours flying - yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

city like it

new seymour target 65p
http://www.igindex.co.uk/spread-betting/uk-broker-ratings.html

Gibby, what take over rumours? do you mean the branches they're disposing of?

the way they are dishing out shares it will soon be 69b in lloys

what if the cutomers dont want to move there acounts from lloys .and move them back to lloys

these have dropped 20p from 68p since that loser ceo started .bag of shit run by a useless muppet

Coming up to my 42p level.

these banks keep saying they have to pay top money to get the best people
so why are the banks so poorly run then
they are taking the piss out of holders .
the new CEO is a complete loser amuppet

just been reading about pension returns .any one putting money into
these funds must be mad the only people getting any rewards are the bankers
and fund managers they never question the performance of the stock they buy
and never vote againts anything at the agms

well every one is now posting on iii what i have been posting about the ceo
he is a plonker useless .

so they have to pay top dollar to get good people .
i no that i could do a better job than this loser and ignorant man
the staff are fade up the cutomer service is breaking down
and he will be gone in 3 years with is wheelbarrrow of money

35p on way that is a cert no divs for at least 5 years . more W/D by the looks of things

how did daniels get a way with this crime and take millions in pay .
he was and is a liar .
is statement i will return lloys back to a sound footing for holders .
now he is gone and the chairman says he did a great job .
and that muppet is still chairman
god help holders you are going to lose all your money .