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

Trading Statement

Second Quarter Trading Statement for 16 weeks to 3 October 2009

Universal appeal continues to drive progress in challenging consumer environment

Highlights

Total sales for second quarter up 3.2 per cent (6.8 per cent excluding fuel) (1)

Like-for-like sales for second quarter up 1.3 per cent (4.6 per cent excluding fuel) (1)

Like-for-like sales for second quarter up 5.4 per cent excluding fuel and VAT (1)

Weekly transactions now over 18.5 million, up 800,000 year on year

What's happening here?
2517

Qatari bid talk resurfaces.
2517

Its here.

sharp rise....mais pourquoi ?...

any more substance to the rumours , anyone hearing anything else ?

scrapman see post 4, however it was in the papers that Qatari did not take part in the 400m fund raising earlier this year.
2517

thanks 2517 , not sure how to read this , whenever "rumours" of a bid get out it usually never comes off

apparently 2 barclay bankers are helping another bidder to launch a takeover..i think the report said saudi based

could see this fly monday

More likely to see a pig fly..

Market booming sbry not so much... This will be flat for the next three weeks in my eyes.. Just hold for now!

Financial Summary

Total sales (including VAT) up 3.7 per cent to 11,158 million (2008/09: 10,756 million)

Total sales growth excluding fuel (including VAT) up 7.9 per cent

Like-for-like sales growth(1) excluding fuel (including VAT) of 5.7 per cent

Underlying profit before tax(3) up 18.5 per cent at 307 million (2008/09: 259 million(2))

Underlying basic earnings per share(4) up 18.6 per cent to 12.1 pence (2008/09: 10.2 pence(2))

Profit before tax of 342 million (2008/09: 258 million), up 32.6 per cent

Basic earnings per share of 14.0 pence (2008/09: 9.8 pence), up 42.9 per cent

Interim dividend of 4.0 pence, up 11.1 per cent (2008/09: 3.6 pence)

Sainsbury claims that it is continuing to grow market share with 18.5 million customers each week...it is tipped on uk analyst website
http://uk-analyst.com/shop/page-article/action-article.show/id-130001717

Final results.

Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks to 20 March 2010

Good sales and profit performance: accelerating our growth strategy

Financial Summary

Total sales (inc VAT, inc fuel) up 5.1 per cent to 21,421 million (2008/09: 20,383 million)

Total sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 6.7 per cent

Like-for-like sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 4.3 per cent(1)

Underlying operating profit up 8.9 per cent to 671 million (2008/09: 616 million)

Underlying profit before tax(2) up 17.5 per cent to 610 million (2008/09: 519 million)(3)

Underlying basic earnings per share(4) up 12.7 per cent to 23.9 pence (2008/09: 21.2 pence)(3)

Proposed full year dividend of 14.2 pence (2008/09: 13.2 pence), up 7.6 per cent

Trading Statement.

Second Quarter Trading Statement for 16 weeks to 2 October 2010


Continued market outperformance; growth plans progressing well


Total sales for second quarter up 6.6 per cent (5.2 per cent excluding fuel)(1)

Like-for-like sales for second quarter up 4.3 per cent (2.9 per cent excluding fuel)(1)

Total sales for first half up 7.0 per cent (4.8 per cent excluding fuel)(1)

Like-for-like sales for first half up 4.4 per cent (2.0 per cent excluding fuel) (1)

Opened our largest stores in England, Scotland and Wales in last 10 days of quarter (6)

Justin King, Chief Executive, said, "We've delivered another strong performance and grown market share(2). Excluding fuel, total sales were up 5.2 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 2.9 per cent and up 7.6 per cent on a two-year basis(3). New space has continued to perform ahead of our expectations delivering a further 2.3 per cent contribution to sales growth (excluding fuel). Fuel price inflation has continued to act as a pressure on household budgets with total sales including fuel up 6.6 per cent.

Interim Results.

Outperforming the market; with strong growth plans



Financial summary

Total sales (inc VAT) up 7.0 per cent to 11,944 million (2009/10: 11,158 million)

Total sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 4.8 per cent

Like-for-like sales (inc VAT, ex fuel) up 2.0 per cent

Underlying operating profit up 8.2 per cent to 370 million (2009/10: 342 million)

Underlying profit before tax up 8.1 per cent to 332 million (2009/10: 307 million)(1)

Profit before tax up 36.3 per cent to 466 million (2009/10: 342 million)

Underlying basic earnings per share up 8.3 per cent to 13.1 pence (2009/10: 12.1 pence)(2)

Basic earnings per share up 33.6 per cent to 18.7 pence (2009/10: 14.0 pence)

Interim dividend of 4.3 pence (2009/10: 4.0 pence), up 7.5 per cent(3)



Operating highlights

Strong growth, outperforming the market with increased market share(4)

Over 2,000 new jobs created in the first half through store investment

Weekly transactions now over 20 million, up one million on last year

Hat-trick of awards at 2010 Retail Industry Awards: Community Retailer of the Year, Convenience Retailer of the Year, Seafood Retailer of the Year

Cost efficiency savings fully offset inflationary pressures

have just bought 50k for the div 10.8p 4.30 today ex div

clayton dubilier @rice . do not be surpriced at bid from them for sbry.

just a rumour of buy out from a pal

i now see the ex ceo of tesco going to work part time for clayton