NEXT is a UK based retailer offering exciting, beautifully designed, excellent quality

fashion and accessories for men, women and children together with a full range of

homewares# NEXT distributes through three main channels:


■NEXT Retail, a chain of more than 500 stores in the UK and Eire;
■NEXT Directory, a home shopping catalogue and website with around 3 million active customers and international websites serving approximately 50 countries; and
■NEXT International, with almost 200 mainly franchised stores around the world#
Other businesses in the NEXT group include:■NEXT Sourcing, which designs, sources and buys NEXT branded products;
■Lipsy, which designs and sells its own branded younger women's fashion products through retail, internet and wholesale channels; and
The parent company, NEXT plc, is listed on the London Stock Exchange #LSE: NXT#L# and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index# Total revenues for the year ended January 2012 were £3#5 billion with underlying pre-tax profits of £570 million# NEXT's head office is located in Enderby on the outskirts of Leicester, England

http://www.next.co.uk/

Next (LON:NXT)

Yesterday, Next released a trading statement for the 26 weeks ended 27th July 2013. During the period, total Next Brand sales were up 2.3% with a better performance during the ‘End of Season’ sale. Until 12th July, total next brand sales were 3.7% higher from last year. The company witnessed increased weekly sales volatility due to changing consumer behaviour. Next kept its sales guidance for the second half unchanged from the first half, i.e. in the range of 1% to 4%. Sales for the full year are expected to be around 1.5% to 3.5% higher. Residual stock declined during the period, resulting in lower cost of markdown. The full year estimates were upwardly revised with group profit before tax expected to be in the range of £635m – £675m compared to the previous guidance of £615m – £665m. Basic EPS growth was also revised upwards to 8%-15% from 4%-13%. Share buyback is estimated to be worth £250m-£350m compared with the earlier projection of £250m.

Our view: Next posted strong growth of 3.7% in full price sales during the period. The current sales figures are in-line with the company’s estimates released in March. Higher full price sales, improved clearance rates and lower markdown have contributed an additional £10m to the company’s profits during the period, leading to increase in the full year estimates for profitability and EPS. The company has delivered a robust performance with upward revision in key estimates despite concerns over job security and lower income amongst the consumer class. Recent positive macro-economic indicators have also raised hopes of an economic recovery going forward, which in turn bodes well for the retail sector. Given the company’s strong online offering – Directory, the diversification into home-wares and new overseas markets and plans for adding more new stores to its current portfolio, we remain confident in the company’s ability to add further value for its shareholders. We remain Buyers of the stock.




http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/columns/beaufort-securities/13708/beaufort-securities-breakfast-today-including-weir-group-next-plc-auhua-clean-energy-and-wishbone-gold-13708.html

DC, didn't mean to take the p..ss but... is your next got slow puncture of some other mechanic failure? because we are right at your back with 5005..! :)

mad isn't?

Nice and slow Tomasz. :-))

DC - any idea when the next figures are due? ...... i shall be very surprised if they disappoint even on like/like and i suspect the on-lined biz will show excellent growth

i know this is a real heavyweight, but i am certainly strongly inclined to put a few into the porfolio

Financial Calendar

thanks skinny ..... on that basis, i'll hold off for the moment

Rule Britannia: Five share tips to take advantage of a UK recovery


By Marc Shoffman

PUBLISHED: 08:36, 10 August 2013 | UPDATED: 08:36, 10 August 2013


Next

Yield: 2.3 per cent

P/E ratio: 15.71


Jonathan Jackson says: 'Next, the clothing and home retailer is managing a shift to the internet well as it has been running a catalogue business for years.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/investing/article-2384778/Five-share-tips-advantage-UK-recovery.html#ixzz2bdlVqMMb
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/investing/article-2384778/Five-share-tips-advantage-UK-recovery.html

just bought a small slice ahead of the figures due 12/9, but with sufficient headroom to top up if deemed worthwhile

all rockin' along well today, though i see no news ..... nevertheless, figures due 12/9 and i'ld be very surprised if they are not spiffing, though spiffing enough remains to be seen

sp currently equalling all time (closing) high, but to roar, it probably needs to spurt through to say 5050 to give a meaningful break

This probably has something to do with it :-

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Buy 4,743.50 4,916.00 5,000.00 5,500.00 Upgrades

In this weeks IC - After a weak start to spring/summer, the heatwave has helped most retailers, meaning the autumn reporting season should retain a positive tone.
Next (Hold) has already indicated first half profits will be £10m ahead of its original expectations.

2 Sep Numis 5,250.00 Hold

Next: Citi increases target price from 5200p to 5650p and maintains its buy recommendation.

NEXT

NEXT shares are up more than 40% over the past 12 months, hitting a new 52-week high today of 5,070p, before falling back to 5,040p just after lunch. If you've held NEXT shares for the long term, you'll be sitting on a near six-bagger since late 2008, which is pretty good going in these days when the high street is supposed to be dead.

And even after that, the shares are on a forward P/E based on January 2014 forecasts of 15.5, dropping to 14 for the following year, which is by no means outrageously high.



http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/3-ftse-shares-hitting-highs-132932361.html

On Thursday, Next PLC (NXT:LSE) closed at 5,075, 0.10% below its 52-week high of 5,080, set on Jul 30, 2013

NEXT, Thursday 12 September

It's first-half results day the same day for high street fashion retailer NEXT , and July's update suggested things are going to be pretty reasonable. Total NEXT brand sales were up 2.3%, which was around the mid-point of the expected range. We were, however, warned of sales volatility and increasingly erratic spending patterns.

NEXT lifted its guidance for the full year, suggesting a pre-tax profit of £635-675m, which us up from earlier guidance of £615-665m. Underlying EPS is expected to grow by 8-15%, with the current analysts' consensus suggesting 12%.

NEXT shares have gained a very nice 40% over the past 12 months, to 5,040p, but even after that they're only on a forward P/E of around 16, which is not high for a company with good growth forecasts. But the dividend is a little on the low side, expected to yield about 2.5%.



http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/3-more-ftse-shares-week-150400000.html

Next PLC (NXT:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 5,175. Over this period, the share price is up 44.94%.

shall prob sell before the results and quite possibly buy back afterwards

Quite sensible as there most probably be some profit taking with any initial rise on the
results.

Small rise today, closed at 51.90. ASOS 51.97