anything under 7 cheap cheap cheap. good div. just paid. chart looks sick

Poor evaluation by Deutsche Bank after recent update. The sp says it all.
Now 386p.

They need to discover ( Ask, even?) their loyal customers, instead of aiming at trends youngsters - who will not venture into M&S on principle.
To get the younger-customers that M&S craves means giving them something they can't get elsewhere . . . . and one suspects there are plenty of lower-priced alternatives . . . .
Under these conditions M&S needs to create 1-offs - items that are available in such small numbers their peers cannot possible get one. But then, whatdoIknowabout Fashion...?
Probably about as much as the young Marketeers employed by M&S - therein lies the problem. SP 386 - nasty.

not worth considering as an investment
plenty better

921, 922 and 923

I agree with each post.

Savage mark down by Berenberg, tp 290p from 380p
2517

Broker Liberum maintained its view on M&S shares as a Sell but lowered its price target from 260p to 250p. This came as it cut expectations for both clothing and food sales.

It's note said: 'We believe that in the light of the Brexit vote consumer demand will be more severely impacted and have adjusted our forecasts accordingly.'

John Ibbotson, director of the retail consultancy Retail Vision, said that one of the issues is that younger customers don't have the emotional bond with M&S that the older generation does and are shopping elsewhere.

He said: 'Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for M&S, they did, and then some. The numbers may have been exaggerated by a washed-out June, pre-Referendum nerves and moving the sales to July but even then they make for grim reading.

'Fashion is on the canvas and even food has delivered a negative like-for-like. When that happens the alarm bells really do start to ring.'

Execs of successful businesses have a wonderful time . .. basking and keeping their Departments from in-fighting. Showing a positive "face" is what it's all about - SO it's hardly surprising when Results show a "downturn" they look to shade Shareholders from the Truth - we know the Words?
Market forces, overseas competition, storms, pound, rain, etc, etc.
- Whether they believe it - it does becomes the "Company Tone" so next quarter the same again will satisfy the Market, then re-arrange the reasons for the third Quarter . . . and you can see the sp can fall £ots, before anyone thinks to blame Lack-lustre Management.
That's where we are - their stock is too expensive for all but the Very Loyal. Nothing wrong in catering for them.... provided the main business is making profits a little icing is "Good"
- BUT do NOT rely on this! - esp. if the day-to-day business is stalling.

M&S needs to rethink it's pricing and fashion-aims - get back to "Core Customers" even if they aren't quite as exciting as yr Buyers would like . . . you ARE NOT a fashion-leader.
Only a small Boutique with exceptional garments can be - because Fashion demands that it's "Almost" Not Attainable for the Many . . . . "Fashion" needs to be an Aspiration.

Meanwhile sell semi-quality stuff to make the Customer think they're still "with it"

If I was Exec, I'd bring in a Loyalty scheme to attract folks to a Twofor . . . . Buy one garment at normal price and then ( within 5-weeks) buy another "Silly" at half-price . . . but it would be from an unpriced rail . . . so the customer decides what they want at half-price previously paid . . . . it would appear to be a "Gift" but could easily be items that just don't sell in large volumes . . . ( but never silly tat, please ).
EDIT(8Nov2016)-on store closure News . . . Oh deary - shows the M&S "Digital Age" has just struck fear -

StockMarketWire.com

Marks & Spencer's H1 statutory pretax profit has slumped 88.4% to £25.1m, from a year-earlier's £216.0m. Interim dividend was 6.8p a share, unchanged on the year.

It proposed about 60% fewer Clothing & Home stores in its UK estate, and internationally planning to cease trading in 10 loss-making owned markets.

The company claimed good progress against strategic priorities set out in May.

Underlying pretax profit was £231.2m, down 18.6% from £284.0m, while group revenue was £4.99bn, from £4.95bn.

"In May, we laid out a number of questions which we would answer as part of our strategic review," said CEO Steve Rowe.

"We committed to creating a simpler business with customers at its heart, and taking action to start to recover our Clothing & Home business and continue to grow in Food.

"Our aim is to build a sustainable business which will delight our customers, provide a robust foundation for future growth and deliver value for our shareholders in the long term.

"We have made good progress on our plans and customers are already noticing a difference, particularly in Clothing & Home.

"In addition, we have made major steps towards fairer pay and pension arrangements, streamlined our senior management team and our plans to implement a simpler Head Office structure are well underway.

"We have now completed a forensic review of our estate both in the UK and in our International markets.

"Over the next five years we will transform our UK estate with c.60 fewer Clothing & Home stores, whilst continuing to increase the number of our Simply Food stores. In the future, we will have more inspiring stores in places where customers want to shop that complement our growing digital offer.

"Internationally, we propose to cease trading in ten loss making owned markets, but intend to continue to develop our presence through our strong franchise partners.

"These are tough decisions, but vital to building a future M&S that is simpler, more relevant, multi-channel and focused on delivering sustainable returns."

Blue-chip turnaround with 6% yield

Trading Statement

On Wednesday MKS report final results. SP has risen and is well of the lows of 2016 and is now at 2014 level. Can history repeat itself? Or just yet another turn around theory banjaxed. See how it opens on Monday but ideally for me 400p to be breached with a Limit Buy (on the spreads) @ 402p to catch a ride to 420p initial target with a tight stop.

01/06 EX-Divi Date Final Dividend

02/06 Record Date for Final Dividend

11/07 Q1 Trading Update

14/07 Final Divi Payment Date


LATEST BROKER VIEWS

Date Broker New target Recomm.
19 May Macquarie 290.00 Underperform
19 May HSBC 435.00 Buy
17 May HSBC 435.00 Buy
12 May Peel Hunt 500.00 Buy
10 May Citigroup 420.00 Buy
10 May Deutsche Bank 360.00 Hold
9 May Deutsche Bank N/A Hold
5 May Shore Capital N/A Hold
4 May Shore Capital N/A Hold
4 May Deutsche Bank N/A Hold

The danger of course is that turn around theory not believed and profit taking kicks in prior to Wednesday or on the day. The plus side for investors I'm guessing is the Dividend. Place your bets :o)

Be careful here, the sales of womens clothing has dropped and they are reportedly going to announce reduced profits.

How do you know that D/C..are you a cross dresser?

Weekend press Stan.

Only on Sunday afternoons Stan. :-))

Joking aside D/C I note that M&S have been on the rise of late.

Yes Stan. Could well be having to discount clothing to shift it.

True and personally retailers have not been my sector of choice for quite a wile now but still interesting to visit nevertheless.

LATEST BROKER VIEWS

Date Broker New target Recomm.
22 May Jefferies... 420.00 Buy