Not the most exciting share, but with safeway conversion now complete (and how much better the old safeway stores are now) the shares should start to come back. Already started a nice rise from a recent low. Costs for conversions will still hold the price back but when that is out of the way, should be be nice. 190p

16:42, Sunday 4 September 2011

Morrisons' first-half results will be closely watched, not just by supermarket analysts, but economists trying to divine how bad the economy is in the crucial months running up to Christmas.

So far this year, Morrisons has proved to be one of the most reliable of performers posting better sales growth than its bigger competitors, but how much has trading slowed in recent months?

Analysts are forecasting that Morrisons' first half like-for-like sales growth could be anything from flat to 2.4pc. If it hits 2pc, that would be a clear signal that not only is it taking market share, but the British shopper is in possibly in better shape than many fear. First (OTC BB: FSTC.OB - news) -half pre-tax profit is expected to climb from 410m to about 433m.

Morrisons has been helped by the fact that it sells a far greater proportion of food than its rivals, which have moved increasingly into clothing and electricals areas where consumers are cutting back on.

Also, from May 398 of its 439 stores extended their opening hours. Analysts will want to know how much of its sales growth has been driven by these longer hours

Q3 IMS

RNS Number : 8245R

Morrison(Wm.)Supermarkets PLC

10 November 2011

Further good progress

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

Q3 Interim Management Statement - 13 weeks to 30 October 2011

Morrisons delivered another good sales performance, with total sales* excluding fuel up by 4.6% (7.6% including fuel) and like for like sales* up 2.4% (5.8% including fuel). Record numbers of customers visited our stores and sales continued to grow ahead of the market.

In the period we opened ten new stores, including our second convenience outlet, and we are on track to meet our target of adding 600,000 sq.ft. of new space during the year.

We have previously set out a range of operating and strategic initiatives designed to generate profitable growth; driving our topline, increasing our efficiency and capturing new growth opportunities. We made good progress in each of these areas during the period and will update fully on them at our preliminary results in March 2012.

The financial position of the Group remains strong and we have extended our borrowing facilities through the conclusion of a $250 million US private placement agreement over 15 years. Our programme to retire GBP1bn of equity over the two years to March 2013 continues. To date we have acquired and cancelled 103m shares at a total investment of GBP300m.

Outlook

As we anticipated at our interim results announcement in September, the economic environment has remained challenging during the third quarter. Morrisons focus on providing top-quality, fresh food and keen pricing, backed by an exciting and innovative range of promotions, has again met our customers' expectations.

We remain cautious on the overall economic environment and will continue to manage the business accordingly. Our good performance in the third quarter was in line with our expectations and the Board's financial outlook for the year remains unchanged.

*exc. VAT and reported in accordance with IFRIC 13

Excellent trending chart.

Nice, but getting towards a sell cycle surely?

Looks like it Harry - one I've not been in for a while - but a classic chart.

Morrisons to hire 7,000 for new stores and logistics

Morrisons has said it plans to hire more than 7,000 people in logistics and to staff new outlets.

The supermarket chain wants to open 25 new branches next year.

Half of the jobs at new stores are expected to go to former employees, the firm said. Three-quarters are likely to come from the local areas they serve.

Some 300 new positions are also planned at Morrisons' new regional distribution centre at Bridgwater, supplying food in south and south-west Wales.

"Despite the difficult economic conditions, Morrisons continues to have ambitious growth plans and that means we will be searching for people to join us in the communities in which we operate," said human resources head Norman Pickavance.

"We're committed to training our new colleagues so that they have the capability to move from the shop floor to the top floor."

Last month, Morrisons announced a 4.6% rise in sales in the three months to 30 October.

Post Christmas Trading Update.

RNS Number : 1840V

Morrison(Wm.)Supermarkets PLC

09 January 2012

News Release

Record customer numbers at Christmas for Morrisons

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC provides a pre close update ahead of its financial year end on 29 January 2012

Trading

In the 6 weeks to 1 January total sales* excluding fuel were up by 2.9% (5.6% including fuel). Like for like sales* grew by 0.7% (3.7% including fuel). In a challenging Christmas period for the consumer the Group has delivered sales growth in line with the market.

We have continued to focus on providing a winning combination of outstanding quality, sharp prices and innovative promotional offers, which resulted in an extra 800,000 customers per week shopping with Morrisons during the period. As expected, Christmas trading came late this year with a greater emphasis on fresh food playing to Morrisons traditional strengths.

Despite the pressures that the increased level of trading over the period brings, store standards, service levels and availability were excellent throughout, reflecting the robustness of our supply chain and the professionalism of our colleagues.

At our preliminary results announcement in March 2011 we announced a programme to retire GBP1 billion of equity over the next two years. The programme is ongoing and to date we have acquired 108.3m shares at a total investment of GBP316.6m. The Group's financial position remains strong and we expect full year net debt to be in the range of GBP1.4bn - GBP1.5bn.

Outlook

We had anticipated that 2011 would be challenging for the consumer and that we would be operating in a low growth sales environment. We planned our business on that basis and accordingly, the Board's expectations for the full year remain in line with its original assumptions.

In 2012 the UK consumer environment will remain cautious despite an anticipated reduction in inflationary pressures. Against this backdrop, our fresh, quality and value credentials continue to appeal to a growing customer base and we are well positioned to make further progress.

Commenting on Morrisons Christmas trading, Chief Executive Officer, Dalton Philips said;

"I am pleased that in a difficult trading environment we have continued to grow our business and have delivered another good performance in a very tough market. At Christmas, when customers are even more focused on great quality food at outstanding value, we really need to serve our customers well. We've done that and I thank all our 130,000 colleagues for their outstanding efforts."

*exc. VAT and reported in accordance with IFRIC 13

In @288.1 on the spreads March contract

Presumably this drop is on the back of the TSCO drop? I prefer this stock to TSCO at present.

i think your prob right, as their recent figures were at least acceptable .... only major Q is whether or not the fall in tsco is badly overdone

Bizarre.....TSCO continues on it's downward trend, having dragged down MRW, yet MRW now bounces. One minute they are linked in their sector, next they are seperate! Was hoping for a little cheaper to pick up stock. Maybe DCB coming.

MRW

Broker BUY recommendation.....

WM Morrison Supermarkets FTSE 100 Consumer, Non-cyclical Buy 350 296.3 18.1% Jefferies

Target SP 350p Increase 18.1%

MRW

BROKER UPGRADE....

WM Morrison Supermarkets FTSE 100 Consumer, Non-cyclical Equalwt/Positive 320 294 8.8% Barclays Capital

Target SP 320p % increase 8.8%

MRW Morrisons

Broker Upgrade out...

WM Morrison Supermarkets FTSE 100 Consumer, Non-cyclical Buy 350 289.4 20.9% Jefferies

Target SP 350p 20.9% upside.

MRW Morrisons.

Food sellers?

And yes, we have Wm Morrison coming through a growth filter! But that's not as surprising as it might seem, as Morrison has been growing its profits quite nicely over the past few years, and with 15% earnings growth forecast for January 2013, it looks like it's profiting nicely from the stumble that Tesco (LSE: TSCO) seems to have taken of late.

With the price having moved just about nowhere over the past 12 months, it could be a good time to buy now at 290p.

http://www.fool.co.uk/news/investing/2012/02/27/5-growth-shares-for-a-bull-market.aspx?source=uhpsithla0000002

i have held these (and tsco) for a few months now ..... what i like about mrw is that has focussed on a particular niche and is not distracted by the others who are intent on ripping the guts out of each other ..... my only real gripe is the mrw logo and colours, which are seriously nasty and cheap

papers say these are looking to a grim future i disagree .

i was wrong retail is going to take a big hit the shops are empty and the shopper is not shopping sell retail

MRW Morrisons


Should be an update on above tomorrow.

Anyway by and large most brokers are
saying HOLD.

Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets PLC

FORECASTS 2012 2013
Date Rec Pre-tax (£) EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax (£) EPS (p) DPS (p)

SG Securities
06-03-12 HOLD 25.28 11.01 29.39 12.83
Exane BNP Paribas
06-03-12 HOLD 912.00 25.39 10.84 953.00 27.42 11.71
ING Financial Markets
06-03-12 BUY 25.65 10.66 30.34 11.93
Panmure Gordon
06-03-12 HOLD 922.00 24.90 10.70 968.00 27.30 12.00
Charles Stanley
05-03-12 ACCU 930.00 25.50 10.64 975.00 28.00 11.71
Shore Capital
02-03-12 HOLD 925.00 25.20 10.50 965.00 28.50 12.10
Numis Securities Ltd
01-02-12 BUY 929.50 25.30 11.00 977.70 31.00 13.50
Seymour Pierce
01-02-12 HOLD 923.30 26.20 981.00 30.20
The Royal Bank of Scotland NV
28-11-11 BUY 923.79 25.77 10.74 969.72 29.34 12.49
Evolution Securities Ltd
08-09-11 ADD 944.00 26.00 1,031.00 30.90
Arbuthnot Securities
19-08-11 BUY

2012 2013
Pre-tax (£) EPS (p) DPS (p) Pre-tax (£) EPS (p) DPS (p)

Consensus 922.96 25.46 10.76 969.33 28.95 12.20
1 Month Change -2.10 0.08 0.02 -10.39 -0.18 -0.02
3 Month Change -5.28 -0.05 -0.01 -26.78 -0.73 -0.22


GROWTH
2011 (A) 2012 (E) 2013 (E)

Norm. EPS 24.96% 8.49% 13.70%
DPS 37.34% 28.90% 13.34%

INVESTMENT RATIOS
2011 (A) 2012 (E) 2013 (E)

EBITDA £1,224.00m £1,309.98m £1,408.58m
EBIT £905.00m £967.74m £1,036.34m
Dividend Yield 2.95% 3.80% 4.31%
Dividend Cover 2.81x 2.36x 2.37x
PER 12.07x 11.13x 9.79x
PEG 0.48f 1.31f 0.71f
Net Asset Value PS 192.73p 220.04p 233.81p

Hemscott premium.