I bought into these in December last year, primarily for the yield, but also for the potential growth of one of the better companies in their sector.


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Marston's Fundamentals (MARS)

Like GNK, MARS is trying to recover, unlike GNK, MARS had decent results

Lets see what the trading update brings.

The first 7 weeks of the new financial year showed growth lets hope that continued, but on a pe of 8 and yld of 6.3% MARS does not look expensive.

Berenberg Hold 116.70 120.00 115.00 Retains

Just an ok trading update with no shocks, weather to blame for small LFL sales decline.

Shore Capital Buy 112.65 - - Reiterates

Liberum Capital Buy 112.65 140.00 140.00 Retains

Peel Hunt Buy 112.65 140.00 140.00

£1 for a pub chain. MARS.

75p or a Mars Bar. (unless your at an airport)

No recession but priced like one. One I use is always busy.

Waiting for an entry point.

£1 for a pub chain. MARS.

75p or a Mars Bar. (unless your at an airport)

No recession but priced like one. One I use is always busy.

Waiting for an entry point.

A big hit today.

I've been building a position here at 97.

I fail to see how the whole sector can be moving up and MARS is taking such a shagging. (well clearly the city don't like the gearing and cost pressure inflation and the valuation of their estate)

Dividend 7.8%

Trading statement on Monday, be interesting to see how the world cup and the warm weather has affected sales

Marstons website says the IMS is on Wednesday 25th

http://www.marstons.co.uk/investors/shareholders/calendar/

Moneyam forward diary is wrong then, I did look on the MARS website and you are correct CC, so Wednesday 25th it is.

What to look for on Wednesday

Marston’s hoping for a World cup boost
Shares in the pubs and brewing group have had a tough year so far in 2018 with investors worried about the level of consumer spending and the prospect of rising interest rates squeezing disposable incomes.

However, the market will be watching to see if the World Cup and warm weather have boosted sales when brewer and pubs operator Marston’s plc (LON:MARS) issues a third-quarter update on Wednesday.

Investors will be focused on how the group’s Destination and Premium pubs, which include Generous George and Pitcher & Piano, are performing, with sales at the drinks-led taverns and the accommodation lodges also to be of interest.

Marston’s like-for-like sales dropped in the first half but the company previously said it expected the performance to improve in the second half.

Trading Update

Trading

Trading in the second half year to date has been good overall, helped by recent good weather and the World Cup. As in previous years, our wet-led pubs, leased estate and brewing business benefited significantly from the World Cup and, despite the negative impact on food-led pubs the tournament was positive for the Group.

This improvement, after a first half-year affected by poor weather, means that we have achieved encouraging sales growth in both our pub and beer businesses in the 42 week period to date, and we expect to deliver underlying earnings in line with expectations for the full year.

Total managed and franchised pub sales were up 5.2% in the 42 week period, including like-for-like sales growth of 0.3% and the contribution from our pub expansion programme. In the most recent 16 weeks, like-for-like sales were up 0.9%, helped by good weather and the football, but with some offset from poor weather in April. Post April, overall like-for-like sales growth over the last 12 weeks has been 2.0% with the Destination and Premium performance continuing to improve as well as weather benefiting Taverns.

In Destination and Premium, like-for-like sales for the 42 week period were 1.5% behind last year, an improvement on the first half-year, with like-for-like sales down 1.2% in the last 16 weeks despite the negative impact from the World Cup. We continue to remain disciplined in terms of pricing, discounting and promotion, with operating margin only slightly below last year and in line with our expectations.

In Taverns, managed and franchised like-for-like sales for the 42 week period were 3.8% ahead of last year, including growth of 5.0% in the last 16 weeks. Most of our pubs have attractive outside areas allowing our customers to enjoy the good weather, and we created a brilliant World Cup atmosphere in many, building on the demand for experiences and the fact that pubs are the 'next best thing' to live football. Leased profits for the 42 week period are estimated to be 2% ahead of last year.

Marston's Beer Company achieved strong growth, including total volumes up around 61% in the 42 week period with good growth in the underlying business. We continue to realise benefits from the acquisition of Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business. Our portfolio, which includes an outstanding range of premium ales, World Lagers and Craft Beers, increased market share.

We remain on track to meet our openings growth targets for 15 pub restaurants and bars, and six lodges, in the current financial year.

Commenting, Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are encouraged by our stronger trading performance in the second half-year, including the benefit of recent good weather and the impact of the World Cup in our Taverns estate and in Marston's Beer Company.

"We have a strong pipeline of sites which will contribute to continued growth in pubs, and see further opportunity in brewing following the acquisition and successful integration of Charles Wells Brewing and Beer business in 2017. Our strategic objectives and progressive dividend policy remain appropriate for current market conditions and we remain confident of delivering underlying earnings in line with expectations for the full year."

No one getting too excited, but looking ok.

25 Jul 18 Shore Capital Buy 97.93 - - Reiterates
25 Jul 18 Liberum Capital Buy 97.93 130.00 - Reiterates
25 Jul 18 Peel Hunt Buy 97.93 140.00 - Reiterates

Director buys 100,000. shares http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6130065

How bizarre. MARS seems to have turned up for no particular reason (other than it was stupidly low or possible GNK figures)

Strange how markets work

Suspect it was low because of retail getting a slapping in general CC.