Sainbury issued a promising trading statement last week but why no mention of margins? It's not alone with all the other multiples reluctant to cover margins in their quarterly updates. Good see that Marks gives them a mention.
Commentary at www.investorschampion.com

Will take a look thanks.

40p lower than my purchase 7 weeks ago, I thought they were cheap then so will pick up more. Maybe 2nd qtr 'like for like' is not as good as the 1st qtr. I believe SBRY own their stores as well, so mkt cap is below nav, throw in the juicy divi and possible return of t/o chatter, and the sp could improve somewhat.
2517

Not a holder here George but should they fall to 240p I will buy some in view of the fact their property is worth twice the presnt share price.

Having problems holding above 260p I think.




Worth buying @240p.

Trading Statement.

Second Quarter Trading Statement for 16 weeks to 1 October 2011

Good sales performance in a challenging market

Total sales for second quarter up 7.8 per cent (4.4 per cent excluding fuel)

Like-for-like sales for second quarter up 5.4 per cent (1.9 per cent excluding fuel)

Total sales for first half up 7.6 per cent (4.3 per cent excluding fuel)

Like-for-like sales for first half up 5.1 per cent (1.9 per cent excluding fuel)

Market appears to like the SBRY numbers, and mixed on TSCO.
2517

Good figures George I missed the boat here.

Know what you mean Mitzy, my finger refused to click the mouse for EMG @ 150p yesterday, same with LAD but I'm sure there will be many opportunities before the debt crisis is over. Talking of which, if personal debt is being paid off, (last 3 years we are told) then at some stage those same people will be debt free, or at least at a level of debt with which they are comfortable.
2517

Sainsburys sets out 1 billion sustainability plan

Sainsbury's today unveils a new 1 billion plan, which will ensure the company remains at the forefront of sustainability between now and 2020. The Sainsbury's 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan, which is being launched today, sets out 20 sustainability targets to be achieved by 2020.

The commitments address four key areas of focus:

Sustainable and Healthy Products - including Best for British: By 2020, we'll double the amount of British food we sell

Operational Excellence - including Operational carbon emission reduction: By 2020, we'll have reduced our operational carbon emissions by 30 per cent absolute and 65 per cent relative, compared with 2005.

Colleagues - including 20 years service: By 2020, 20,000 of our colleagues will have reached 20 years service at Sainsbury's.

Communities - including New jobs and skills: By 2020, we'll create 50,000 new jobs in the UK.

Interims on Wednesday.
2517

Half Yearly Report.

Financial summary

-- Total sales (inc VAT, inc fuel) up 7.6 per cent to GBP12,848 million (2010/11: GBP11,944 million)

-- Total sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 4.3 per cent
-- Like-for-like sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 1.9 per cent
-- Underlying operating profit up 7.0 per cent to GBP396 million (2010/11: GBP370 million)
-- Underlying profit before tax up 6.6 per cent to GBP354 million (2010/11: GBP332 million)(1)
-- Underlying basic earnings per share up 6.1 per cent to 13.9 pence (2010/11: 13.1 pence)(2)
-- Interim dividend of 4.5 pence per share up 4.7 per cent (2010/11: 4.3 pence)(3)

Looks pretty good.

RNS Number : 3430V

Sainsbury(J) PLC

11 January 2012

11 January 2012

Third Quarter Trading Statement for 14 weeks to 7 January 2012

Record-breaking Christmas, completes a strong quarter

-- Total sales for third quarter up 7.0 per cent (4.5 per cent excluding fuel)
-- Like-for-like sales for third quarter up 4.8 per cent (2.1 per cent excluding fuel)
-- Two year like-for-like sales growth 5.7 per cent excluding fuel
-- Christmas customer transactions up 1.5 million to 26 million(1) , increasing market share(2)


Justin King, Chief Executive, said, "This was a strong quarter, rounded off by our best Christmas ever, despite the economic backdrop. Across the quarter customers chose Sainsbury's to help them Live Well for Less, taking advantage of our great value offer during October and November and then treating themselves and their families over the holiday season. There were 26 million customer transactions in the Christmas week, 1.5 million more

than last year.(1) Like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up 2.1 per cent, which was on top of a market-beating Christmas in 2010, giving two-year like-for-like growth of 5.7 per cent. This performance would not have been possible without the fantastic efforts of our 150,000 colleagues.
This was a record-breaking Christmas, with our biggest ever week, day and hour for sales as customers celebrated with Sainsbury's quality food. Taste the Difference (TtD) grew by over ten per cent in the quarter. We sold over GBP2 million worth of TtD Norfolk Black Free Range turkeys and almost 50,000 of the new TtD Kirsch Cherry Filled Christmas Pudding. basics also grew strongly, especially staple ingredients. For example, sales of basics unsalted butter increased by 82 per cent and basics dried fruits were up 30 per cent, reflecting the growth in home baking.

Customers have really embraced Live Well for Less, taking advantage of Sainsbury's unique combination of quality and value to help manage their total spend. Brand Match has been a big hit with customers, who increasingly recognise the great value for money that Sainsbury's offers. As a result of this success we have extended our Brand Match promise into 2012. A record number of people used their Nectar cards in the quarter, with GBP100 million worth of points redeemed. Our petrol promotions remain popular, helping to drive a 7.5 per cent increase in petrol volumes.

General merchandise and clothing continued to grow faster than food. Gok Wan's second range - Christmas party wear - was launched on 17 November and helped drive sales across our TU clothing range, increasing market share.(3) Our Christmas gifts range sold nearly one million units, up over ten percent. The best seller was our Trivia Box, a collection of quiz questions perfect for Christmas stockings. Events such as our half-price toy promotion also helped drive this good performance, despite the testing market conditions for non-food.

This quarter we added over 600,000 square feet of new space, including our 1,000(th) store, in Irvine, Scotland, and 21 new convenience stores. Convenience grew at almost 25 per cent, driven by new space and strong like-for-like sales growth, as customers topped up at Sainsbury's Locals to manage their total spend in the quarter. Our larger supermarkets' performance was especially strong over Christmas as customers sought out a one-stop shop to buy everything they needed for the festive period.

Sainsbury's multi-format, multi-channel offer enables customers to shop how they choose, when they choose. Groceries online grew at almost 20 per cent and we delivered a record 160,000 orders per week over the Christmas period, with our best-ever availability and customer service. Christmas week was our strongest for 'Click and Collect', with last-minute shoppers able to order online and pick up in one of 870 stores the next day. Almost 75 per cent of online general merchandise orders at Christmas used 'Click and Collect'.

Consistent with trends over the past year, we expect customers to spend cautiously in 2012, particularly in the first few months as they tighten their belts post Christmas. Although the short term remains challenging, key events later in the year, such as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provide opportunities for growth. We will continue to invest in our offer to support our customers through these difficult times."

Just had a punt here @286

..Questor share tip: Investors should invest well for less at Sainsbury

By Garry White | Telegraph – 2 hours 10 minutes ago


......
Supermarket J Sainsbury had a good Christmas, but that's not why the shares are a buy. They are a buy because they are an asset-backed income play.

J Sainsbury 302.1p -3.8p Questor says BUY

Questor changed its view on the supermarket group's shares in November (Stuttgart: A0Z24E - news) after they plunged by more than a quarter from the previous year. This fall means the investment case is now very different from before.

The majority view in the City on Sainsbury (LSE: SBRY.L - news) shares is a hold. Out of the 33 analysts covering the shares and monitored by Bloomberg, 17 have a neutral rating. A further nine say sell and seven say buy. Their average price target is 319.9p.

The investment case is no longer about whether the group will marginally outperform another supermarket group over any particular time period, or about how it calculates its like-for-like sales. Sainsbury is now an income play but it is also one which offers a good upside once a recovery starts to take place.

The shares are yielding a prospective 5.5pc in the year to March 2013. This is higher than traditional dividend plays such as GlaxoSmithKline (Other OTC: GLAXF.PK - news) , which is yielding 5.1pc in the year to December; Royal Dutch Shell (4.5pc) or even Imperial Tobacco (LSE: IMT.L - news) (4.9pc). In fact, the dividend is now almost as high as that seen with a water company such as United Utilities, which is yielding 5.6pc in the year to March 2013.

The payment also looks safe, barring any financial Armageddon. It is covered by consensus earnings 1.73 times in 2012 and 2013, so does not look as if it will come under pressure. The business remains defensive and extremely cash-generative.

This will provide a floor for the shares if consumers further rein in spending this year. Also, the company's valuation is backed by £10.9bn of property, compared with its £5.7bn capitalisation.

The fact that the supermarket had a solid Christmas is therefore another plus for the investment case. Yesterday, the group said like-for-like sales excluding fuel rose by 2.1pc in the 14 weeks to January 7. This is ahead of City expectations of a 1.8pc rise. Total (Other OTC: TTFNF.PK - news) sales for the third quarter were up 7pc (4.5pc excluding fuel).

There are some issues among analysts about VAT being added to like-for-like sales, as with the inclusion of store expansions in like-for-like sales. This is because the company has a significant store-expansion plan, which can allow it to move more into non-food items.

However, this will keep the top and bottom line growing, and is not really of concern to Questor. The valuation and the cash generation are more important. New ranges such as clothing designed by How To Look Good Naked presenter Gok Wan have proved a success. Consumers may be spending less on the weekly shop, but convenience stores are performing well, with growth at an impressive 25pc after 600,000 square feet of new space was added.

Since November, consensus forecasts for revenues and the dividend have edged higher, with pre-tax profits and earnings per share forecasts nudging lower.

First (OTC BB: FSTC.OB - news) tipped at 297.6p on November 10 last year, the shares are up 2pc, compared with a market up 2pc. They are a buy for income and for medium-term growth

just added 14251 at 285p when is ex div is it june

May.

thanks 16p for the year wish i had bought 30000.now if they go under 288p i wil .
but i am still buying RSA in a big way they are my top stock for 2012

T ---We have only recently received the int. divi of 4.5p
2517

yes thanks 2517 i got it just could not find ex final div date i have 47678.
i like divs rsa pays out 10% this year i love it thats my hol and car paid for .

In @ 291.9 on the spreads March contract.