spreadbetters bonanza on mab on 10 pound a point as of 29 april hop on baby

scotinvestor- I bought a few of these on the back of Elphida increasing their stake since these connections seem pretty shrewd. I think I read somewhere that T.Hemmings has also bought an interest. They are all a patient lot so what the sp will do short term, I dont kwow but, I wouldn't put you off otherwise. The business outlook will be difficult but, I guess these boys see a good angle there somewhere.

hyleo

is this worth buying now?

Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon have both been upgraded to neutral from sell.

In a research note published late Tuesday, Goldman Sachs said that following its recent share price decline, Mitchells & Butlers now trades in line with the sector on a P/E basis on the broker's downgraded earnings forecasts.

The broker said it has cut its 2009 and 2010 EPS estimates to 26.55p from 29.51p and to 28.66p from 31.52p, respectively, primarily to reflect cost pressures.

It added it has reduced its six-month price target to 220p from 290p, reflecting lower earnings estimates and a lower estimated freehold value.

In a separate note, Goldman Sachs said it has also cut its price target and earnings estimates for JD Wetherspoon to reflect the increasingly negative trading environment.

However, it said it sees limited valuation downside following the recent share price decline, which has left JD Wetherspoon trading in line with the sub-sector.

The broker's 2009 and 2010 EPS estimates have fallen to 21.49p from 26.02p and to 24.48p from 28.91p, respectively, while the six-month price target has been reduced to 205p from 260p, Goldman Sachs said.


Heres one for you scotinvestor, I know you appreciate the experts view! sp 222p

Don't be gullible to believe all this upgrades by Goldman Sachs...they get it wrong more than 50% nowadays.

thats not bad for analysts or brokers.....they'll mention all their good tips too

Been away 2 weeks but, glad to see mab is in a better market, currently 240p against 200p and below. Probably helped by the Wetherspoon announcement and I also see that Elphida has increased stake again and now holds 9%.

Elpida increased stake to 10.08% from 9.06%. A possible blocker to any development put forward by Mr T's interests. sp 256p.

31 July 2008

Mitchells & Butlers plc to acquire 44 pub restaurants from Whitbread PLC
in exchange for 21 Express by Holiday Inn Lodges

Following Mitchells & Butlers stated intention to create additional value from its non-core assets, a swap of lodge assets for pub restaurants has now been agreed with Whitbread.

Under the terms of the agreement, Whitbread will acquire 21 of Mitchells & Butlers lodge sites (1245 rooms), currently trading under the Express by Holiday Inn brand, in exchange for 44 standalone Whitbread pub restaurant sites, currently trading under the Brewers Fayre and Beefeater brands. The exchange has been made on the basis of equivalent EBITDA of circa 9m from both the hotels and the pub restaurants and a valuation of circa 78m for both sets of assets to be exchanged.

These high quality pub restaurant sites will be converted to Mitchells & Butlers industry leading brands and formats with significant sales and profits uplifts expected. The transaction is expected to complete on 19 September 2008. In order to assist in funding the capital expenditure required for the conversions and to further reduce group debt levels, we intend to review opportunities for sale and leaseback financing on these acquired freehold sites. This would demonstrate the value of the properties acquired, in addition to the value that will be created from the operational profit uplifts generated by the brand conversions.

We will also continue to actively pursue the creation of additional value from our other non-core assets, including the Innkeepers Lodge units.

Commenting on the deal, Tim Clarke, Chief Executive of Mitchells & Butlers, noted:

'This deal drives further consolidation in top end managed houses and demonstrates our ability to create value from the non-core assets. Our brands can add a lot of value to these pub restaurant sites as we have shown with previous acquisitions.'
sp 246p

sp up again 267p

Strong sp of 280p today reflects speculation following press comment that Punch Taverns is attracting possible bid interest from CVC Capital Partners.It is felt that the weak pub sector may attract interest from cash rich funds. Certainly looks like the Elpida build up is proving timely.

sp +13p@293p.

in a strong market + 20p @ 338p

250p...analysts say sell MAB

19 September 2008




Mitchells & Butlers plc




Completion of acquisition of Whitbread pub restaurant sites

in exchange for lodges




Mitchells & Butlers is pleased to confirm that the acquisition of 44 pub restaurants sites from Whitbread plc in exchange for 21 Express by Holiday Inn lodges, announced on 31 July 2008, has been successfully completed.







For further information please contact:




Investor Relations



Erik Castenskiold
0121 498 6513






Media



James Murgatroyd (Finsbury Group)
0207 251 3801







Notes for editors:




- Mitchells & Butlers owns and operates around 2,000 high quality pubs in prime locations nationwide. The Group's predominantly freehold, managed estate is biased towards large pubs in residential locations. With around 3% of the pubs in the UK, Mitchells & Butlers has 10% of industry sales and average weekly sales per pub over three times greater than that of the average UK pub.




- Mitchells & Butlers' leading portfolio of brands and formats includes Ember Inns, Harvester, Sizzling Pub Co., Toby Carvery, Vintage Inns, All Bar One, O'Neill's, Nicholson's and Browns. In addition, Mitchells & Butlers operates a large number of individual city centre and residential pubs.


strong move up today with market sp 286p

MAB is below 200p. Went to Harvesters the other day. Almost empty. Business is poor

MAB is a clearly to be avoided at all costs as two leading banks in Iceland, Kaupthing Edge and Ice-save, which have a significant share in MAB, are liquidating their positions due to a meltdown in Iceland's burgeoning banking sector. They are also feared to be nationalised.

188p...feels like it's only worth 100p as Icelandic investments are bailing out of MAB.

Justyi, I just saw that Iceland currency is also depreciating rapidly.