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                                <title>Are Greggs shares now too expensive?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2021/07/08/are-greggs-shares-now-too-expensive/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:00:51 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Summers]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coronavirus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 250]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greggs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WH Smith]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=230049</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Greggs plc (LON:GRG) shares have done remarkably well over recent months. Will Paul Summers be taking profits or sitting tight?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2021/07/08/are-greggs-shares-now-too-expensive/">Are Greggs shares now too expensive?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;ve had quite a few updates recently from companies with a heavy presence on the UK&#8217;s high streets. For me, the most encouraging news came from baker <strong>Greggs</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-grg/">LSE: GRG</a>). Today, I&#8217;ll be recapping on this and, <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2020/07/27/are-greggs-shares-too-cheap-to-ignore/">as a holder myself</a>, asking whether the shares are now priced to perfection. I&#8217;ll also be reflecting on the latest numbers from another stalwart. </p>
<h2>Greggs shares: too dear?<span class="cs"> </span></h2>
<p>It would seem the UK can&#8217;t get enough of its sausage roll fix. Having already said it had seen a big recovery in sales as shops reopened, Greggs announced in June that sales were even better than expected. This could have a &#8220;<em>materially positive impact</em>&#8221; on full-year numbers. This is significant news considering the company was expecting demand to moderate as more cafes and restaurants opened and shoppers&#8217; enthusiasm (and savings) dropped.<em><span class="cn"> </span></em></p>
<p>We&#8217;ll get a further update on current trading when Greggs reports its half-year numbers at the beginning of August. Unless the share price gets silly, I doubt I&#8217;ll be selling before then. </p>
<p>Yes, the valuation &#8212; at 29 times forecast earnings &#8212; is high. In normal times, this is something we might see attached to a promising tech stock. It&#8217;s certainly prompted me to question whether a lot of good news is now priced in to Greggs shares. Should it fail to live up to investors&#8217; revised expectations, there could be volatility ahead.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, I remain optimistic. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307">Frequent changes to the rules surrounding foreign travel</a> lead me to think that many of us will throw up our hands and just stay within the UK for another summer. With its presence at motorway service stations and in big cities, this should be good news for Greggs. But even when I factor in the possibility of improving sales from those finally returning to offices, the frothy valuation puts me off buying more now but I don’t think I’ll be taking profits just yet.</p>
<h2>&#8220;Small improvement&#8221;</h2>
<p>Of course, Greggs isn&#8217;t the only well-known high street name seeming to have turned a corner. Today saw an update from newsagent <strong>WH Smith</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-smwh/">LSE: SMWH</a>) on trading for the 18 weeks to 3 July. </p>
<p class="ag">It wasn&#8217;t too bad. Revenue from its UK high street stores was back to 86% of what it had been over the same period in 2019. F<span class="ae">ootfall is still below pre-pandemic levels and it&#8217;s going to take a while for full confidence to return.</span></p>
<p class="ag">Having said this, revenue at travel sites continues to suffer. Sales at airports, for example, were only at 10% of what they once were. All told, sales in this part of the business were at 62% of 2019 levels.  </p>
<p>Based on trading at <span class="ac">Smith&#8217;s North America business, however, the worst appears to be over. Revenue here was 74% of 2019 levels over the same 18-week period. However, this jumped to 88% in June as passenger numbers increased. As a result, there&#8217;s been &#8220;<em>a small improvement to management&#8217;s expectations for the current financial year</em>&#8220;, although no numbers were given.  </span><span class="ac"> </span><em><span class="ac"> </span></em><span class="ac"> </span></p>
<p>I suspect WH Smith will fully recover, albeit probably not at the same pace as Greggs shares.<span class="ae"> More Travel stores are planned and it will shortly bring its US tech brand<em> InMotion</em> to UK airports, including London Heathrow. </span></p>
<p><span class="ae">Nevertheless, I probably</span><span class="ae"> wouldn&#8217;t rush to buy the stock today, given its greater dependence on international travel getting back to normal. </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2021/07/08/are-greggs-shares-now-too-expensive/">Are Greggs shares now too expensive?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/29/heres-how-much-passive-income-1000-greggs-shares-could-pay/">Here&#8217;s how much passive income 1,000 Greggs shares could pay…</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/27/heres-how-a-40-year-old-with-no-sipp-today-could-have-one-worth-over-1153000-by-age-67/">Here’s how a 40-year-old with no SIPP today could have one worth over £1,153,000 by age 67       </a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/23/heres-how-high-these-brokers-think-greggs-shares-could-soon-climb/">Here&#8217;s how high these brokers think Greggs shares could soon climb!</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/22/heres-why-im-hanging-onto-my-greggs-shares-even-though-theyve-fallen/">Here’s why I’m hanging onto my Greggs shares, even though they’ve fallen</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/22/the-greggs-share-price-has-crashed-50-now-see-what-it-could-be-worth-this-time-next-year/">The Greggs share price has crashed 50%! Now see what it could be worth this time next year</a></li></ul><p><em>Paul Summers owns shares in Greggs plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>The Next share price soars almost 10%! Here&#8217;s why</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/07/29/the-next-share-price-soars-almost-10-heres-why/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2020 11:16:55 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Summers]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Live: Coronavirus Market Crash Coverage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coronavirus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 100]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEXT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Retailers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=168091</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Next plc (LON:NXT) shares jump in early trading as the retailer reports better-than-expected sales over the last quarter. Time to buy?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/07/29/the-next-share-price-soars-almost-10-heres-why/">The Next share price soars almost 10%! Here&#8217;s why</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Given just how gloomy the market has been on anything with a high street presence recently, it&#8217;s no surprise that today&#8217;s upbeat trading update from FTSE 100 retailer <strong>Next</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-nxt/">LSE: NXT</a>) has turned heads. Here&#8217;s why the shares were up almost 10% in early trading.</p>
<div class="z">
<h2 class="lq"><span class="kx">Next: back in business</span></h2>
<p>Despite having been forced to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8143963/Next-close-700-stores-6pm-tonight-amid-coronavirus-crisis.html">close its stores as the UK went into lockdown</a>, Next reported today it&#8217;s &#8220;<em>in a much better position&#8221; </em>than where it expected to be back in the spring.</p>
<p>While full-price sales were down 28% over the three months to 25 July, this result was better than even the best scenario painted in its last trading update in April. Online sales were understandably strong, rising 9%, as shoppers stocked up on casual clothing to wear at home. </p>
</div>
<p>Elsewhere, Next reported its warehouse picking and despatch capacity had returned to normal levels. The company also benefitted from far fewer returns over the lockdown period as customers, unable to go back to stores, were being more selective with their purchases. </p>
<div class="z">
<h2>So, it&#8217;s time to buy?</h2>
</div>
<p>I think there are arguments for and against buying shares in Next right now. One positive is that the company seems as prepared as it can be for whatever happens next.</p>
<p>Today, Next provided a set of scenarios on how the business might perform in three different trading environments. These had full-price sales for the full-year down 18%, 26% and 33%.</p>
<p>Encouragingly, Next believes the middle scenario (-26%) to be most likely at the current time. This assumes a 33% reduction in sales at its retail stores and a 7% fall in online sales. Should this come to pass, Next predicts pre-tax profits will come in at £195m. This is hardly a disaster relative to what other retailers are facing.</p>
<p>Another reason for backing the company now is its financial position. Thanks in part to the suspension of dividends and share buybacks, Next has been able to shore up its cash resources. As a result, net debt at the end of its financial year is expected to &#8220;<em>fall significantly</em>&#8221; (by between £460m and £650m). This should allow the company to hit the ground running when the coronavirus is finally sent packing.</p>
<h2>Reasons to steer clear</h2>
<div class="z">
<p class="lz">Of course, Next&#8217;s management doesn&#8217;t know what will happen next better than anyone else. No one can say for sure how long social distancing rules will last. Nor can we predict how shoppers will behave a few months from now. Progress on a vaccine could slow and a significant second wave is possible as we approach the colder, winter months. Should the latter be the case (and another lockdown enforced), even Next&#8217;s worst-case scenario (full-price sales falling 33%) may prove optimistic.</p>
<p>Aside from this, there&#8217;s also the argument that <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2020/07/29/looking-for-the-best-uk-stocks-to-buy-now-id-avoid-these-like-the-plague/">most investors would simply be better off avoiding this and other sectors completely</a> for the time being. Why take on extra risk when there are plenty of safer options elsewhere in the market? </p>
<h2 class="a">Bottom line</h2>
</div>
<p>Next has long proved itself to be a quality business in a seriously tough sector. Whether this makes it a buy at the current price is, however, still debatable.</p>
<p>As always, I&#8217;d caution any Foolish investor against throwing every penny they have at a single stock and ensure they&#8217;re sufficiently diversified elsewhere before taking a stake.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/07/29/the-next-share-price-soars-almost-10-heres-why/">The Next share price soars almost 10%! Here&#8217;s why</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-yield-of-6-8-and-a-p-e-ratio-of-12-1-is-this-a-dirt-cheap-ftse-250-stock-to-consider/'>With a yield of 6.8% and a P/E ratio of 12.1, is this a dirt cheap FTSE 250 stock to consider?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/will-spacex-nvidia-or-alphabet-be-the-first-10trn-stock/'>Will SpaceX, Nvidia, or Alphabet be the first $10trn stock?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/up-95-this-ftse-100-stocks-outperformed-nvidia-over-the-past-year/'>Up 95%! This FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s outperformed Nvidia over the past year</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-9-3-yield-is-this-an-amazing-opportunity-to-consider-buying-dirt-cheap-taylor-wimpey-shares/'>With a 9.3% yield, is this an amazing opportunity to consider buying dirt-cheap Taylor Wimpey shares?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/how-much-do-you-need-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-375-a-week-in-retirement/'>How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for £375 a week in retirement?</a></li></ul><p><em><a href="https://boards.fool.com/profile/psummers/info.aspx">Paul Summers</a> has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Next. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>Have £3,000? Here are 3 stocks I&#8217;d buy for my ISA as lockdown lifts</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/05/31/have-3000-here-are-3-stocks-id-buy-for-my-isa-as-lockdown-lifts/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2020 08:36:14 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Summers]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Live: Coronavirus Market Crash Coverage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Associated British Foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coronavirus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 100]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Halfords]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ISA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JD Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stocks]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=150404</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Shops will start opening again in June but which stocks will do well post-lockdown? Paul Summers has three suggestions for ISA holders.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/05/31/have-3000-here-are-3-stocks-id-buy-for-my-isa-as-lockdown-lifts/">Have £3,000? Here are 3 stocks I&#8217;d buy for my ISA as lockdown lifts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The market has unsurprisingly welcomed the news that lockdown restrictions are to be slowly lifted over the next few weeks. Arguably the most important detail, as far as the economy is concerned, is <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/05/coronavirus-lockdown-when-will-shops-reopen/">the re-opening of all non-essential shops by 15 June</a>. With this in mind, here are three potentially great ISA buys that might do better than most in the new retail environment.</p>
<h2>Cheap ISA buy?</h2>
<p>The fact that shops are being allowed to reopen does not mean that consumers will be in the mood to spend like there&#8217;s no tomorrow, of course. They may, however, feel the need to replace some of their more comfortable &#8216;lockdown clothing&#8217;.</p>
<p>For me, this could be good news for Primark-owner <strong>Associated British Foods</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-abf/">LSE: ABF</a>). Say what you like about the wares sold by this company &#8212; the fact that you can fill a wardrobe on the cheap could mean it does better than most during a recession.</p>
<p>Another attraction to ABF is that it isn&#8217;t solely dependent on the success of its stores &#8212; it has its fingers in the grocery, agriculture, sugar, and ingredients markets. This makes it a good ISA option for <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2020/05/21/dont-fear-the-recession-id-buy-these-defensive-stocks-to-come-out-on-top/">defensive-minded investors</a>, in my opinion.</p>
<p>True, the shares haven&#8217;t done particularly well over the last few years, but consumers&#8217; desire to find value for money in tough times could mark a change in direction. </p>
<p>If we assume that analyst predictions on earnings in FY21 are still roughly correct, the stock also changes hands at a really-rather-decent valuation of 14 times earnings. </p>
<h2>Quality operator</h2>
<p>My second pick of retailers would be FTSE 100 sports and casualwear firm <strong>JD Sports</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-jd/">LSE: JD</a>). </p>
<p>Boasting excellent free cash flow and experienced management, this business looks set to go from strength to strength. Having established itself as a go-to destination for trainer lovers in the UK, it&#8217;s now targeting large overseas markets such as the US.</p>
<p>Is a lot of this already priced-in to the shares? Quite probably. Like many stocks, the optimum time to buy was a couple of months ago. From mid-February to mid-March, JD lost two-thirds of its value. The share price has more than doubled since.  </p>
<p>Hindsight is a wonderful thing, of course. Nevertheless, JD is one of only a handful of FTSE 100 stocks I&#8217;d feel comfortable holding within an ISA for the very long term. And companies like this rarely stay cheap for long.  </p>
<h2>Riding high</h2>
<p>My third and final selection is something of a wildcard: bicycle-seller and auto parts retailer <strong>Halfords</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-hfd/">LSE: HFD</a>).</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve actually been very bearish on this company in the past, partly due to its lack of an economic moat. But the coronavirus pandemic has altered my stance somewhat. In case you haven&#8217;t noticed, cycling has been hugely popular over recent months as long-distance travel has been prohibited. </p>
<p>To be clear, I don&#8217;t think Halfords is a &#8216;buy-and-forget&#8217; stock. There&#8217;s no guarantee that those who say they now plan to ride to work rather than catch public transport will actually do so. There&#8217;s also quite a bit of debt on the balance sheet.</p>
<p>Even so, the next set of numbers released by the company is likely to be very good indeed. Those buying a small amount now for their tax-efficient ISA could still do well. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2020/05/31/have-3000-here-are-3-stocks-id-buy-for-my-isa-as-lockdown-lifts/">Have £3,000? Here are 3 stocks I&#8217;d buy for my ISA as lockdown lifts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/30/staying-stubbornly-in-pennies-will-the-jd-sports-share-price-hit-1-again/">Still stubbornly in pennies, will the JD Sports share price hit £1 again?</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/09/your-isa-allowance-is-waiting-3-top-stocks-to-consider/">Your ISA allowance is waiting! 3 dirt-cheap stocks to consider right now</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/05/see-what-12000-in-explosive-jd-sports-shares-1-month-ago-is-worth-today/">See what £12,000 in explosive JD Sports shares 1 month ago is worth today</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/03/2-ftse-100-bargain-stocks-to-buy-in-june/">2 FTSE 100 bargain stocks to buy in June?</a></li></ul><p><em><a href="https://boards.fool.com/profile/psummers/info.aspx">Paul Summers</a> has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Associated British Foods. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>This quality FTSE 250 growth stock is defying the high street gloom</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2019/01/14/this-quality-ftse-250-growth-stock-is-defying-the-high-street-gloom/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:21:41 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Summers]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 250]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JD Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports Direct]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=121607</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>This top-quality retailer's shares jumped by 7% in early trading and it's not hard to see why.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2019/01/14/this-quality-ftse-250-growth-stock-is-defying-the-high-street-gloom/">This quality FTSE 250 growth stock is defying the high street gloom</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When markets get fearful, even the share prices of the best companies suffer. Within this group, I&#8217;d include self-styled &#8216;King of Trainers&#8217; retailer <strong>JD Sports Fashion</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-jd/">LSE: JD</a>).</p>
<p>2018 was certainly a rollercoaster year for investors. Beginning the year at 341p, JD&#8217;s stock pushed through the 500p mark over the summer before falling back 33% by the end of the year. </p>
<p>Price movement aside, today&#8217;s trading update covering the all-important Christmas period is, in my view, yet more evidence why the FTSE 250 constituent is one of the best picks in the sector. </p>
<p>The company reported &#8220;<em>further significant progress</em>&#8221; with its overseas expansion &#8212; growing sales by 15% in the 48 weeks of the financial year to date.  Total like-for-like sales growth has now hit more than 5%, the company says, &#8220;<em>including a consistently positive like-for-like performance across Black Friday and the Christmas period.</em>&#8221; While a bit more detail would have been nice, this is still very encouraging stuff, in light of news that trading over the festive period was the <em>worst</em> for 10 years, according to the British Retail Consortium.</p>
<p>In contrast to some companies who have been required to slap <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2019/01/08/this-nightmare-growth-stock-fell-90-in-2018-and-there-could-be-worse-to-come/">heavy discounts on their wares</a> amid the reduction in consumer confidence, JD&#8217;s gross profit margins have also been similar to those of last year.</p>
<p>The outlook was also positive. Despite some labour cost inefficiencies as a result of automating and expanding its primary warehouse, JD stated that it was &#8220;<em>confident</em>&#8221; that pre-tax profit for the full year would come in at the &#8220;<em>upper end of published market expectations</em>&#8221; of between £325m and £352m. The business also remarked it had been so encouraged by initial sales at its five US stores &#8212; following the capture of retailer Finish Line last June &#8212; that it has decided to convert up to 15 of the latter&#8217;s stores in the first half of 2019. </p>
<p>On 14 times earnings before this morning, JD Sports wasn&#8217;t the cheapest retailer out there. But a solid track record of increasing sales and profits, overseas growth potential, and a savvy management team make this one retailer I would feel confident buying for the long term. </p>
<h2>Less tempting</h2>
<p>I&#8217;d certainly continue to favour JD over retail peer <strong>Sports Direct International</strong> (LSE: SPD). </p>
<p>December&#8217;s interim results, <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2018/12/13/is-now-the-perfect-time-to-pile-into-sports-direct-international/">summarised here by my Foolish colleague</a> Harvey Jones, were a mixed bag with a huge drop in underlying pre-tax profit (as a result of the House of Fraser acquisition), soothed by a rise in group revenues and gross margins. That said, the gloom within the sector still caused many investors to continue jumping ship.</p>
<p>Having fallen almost 40% since last July, you might expect Sport Direct&#8217;s shares to be trading on a rather tempting valuation. In my opinion, this simply isn&#8217;t the case. </p>
<p>On 16 times earnings for the current financial year (ending 29 April), the stock looks pricey considering that operating margins and returns on capital are lower than at JD Sports. The latter also carries more debt and pays nothing out to shareholders in the form of dividends. All this before high street &#8216;saviour&#8217; Mike Ashley&#8217;s questionable spending spree (Debenhams, Evans Cycles and the aforementioned House of Fraser) is even considered.</p>
<p>While it would be quite reasonable to argue that <em>no</em> retailer is safe in the current climate, JD continues to get my vote over its rival. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2019/01/14/this-quality-ftse-250-growth-stock-is-defying-the-high-street-gloom/">This quality FTSE 250 growth stock is defying the high street gloom</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/30/staying-stubbornly-in-pennies-will-the-jd-sports-share-price-hit-1-again/">Still stubbornly in pennies, will the JD Sports share price hit £1 again?</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/09/your-isa-allowance-is-waiting-3-top-stocks-to-consider/">Your ISA allowance is waiting! 3 dirt-cheap stocks to consider right now</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/05/3-cheap-ftse-250-stocks-to-consider-buying-before-the-2026-world-cup-kicks-off/">3 cheap FTSE 250 stocks to consider buying before the 2026 World Cup kicks off</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/05/see-what-12000-in-explosive-jd-sports-shares-1-month-ago-is-worth-today/">See what £12,000 in explosive JD Sports shares 1 month ago is worth today</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/03/2-ftse-100-bargain-stocks-to-buy-in-june/">2 FTSE 100 bargain stocks to buy in June?</a></li></ul><p><em>Paul Summers has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>2 high-growth stocks you might regret not buying before Christmas</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/12/07/2-high-growth-stocks-you-might-regret-not-buying-before-christmas/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Summers]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clipper Logistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supergroup]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=106000</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Paul Summers looks at two shares he'd tuck away for his Christmas stocking.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/12/07/2-high-growth-stocks-you-might-regret-not-buying-before-christmas/">2 high-growth stocks you might regret not buying before Christmas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With markets <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2017/11/25/can-the-ftse-100-hit-10000-next-year/?source=uhpsithla0000002&amp;lidx=9">continuing to look frothy</a> and investors becoming increasingly nervous over Brexit negotiations, it&#8217;s more important than ever for growth investors to be selective about which companies they allow into their portfolios. Here are two stocks that I think could perform better than most as we move into 2018.</p>
<h3>Delivering the goods</h3>
<p>I&#8217;ve been bullish on mid-cap, Leeds-based <strong>Clipper</strong> <strong>Logistics</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-clg/">LSE: CLG</a>) <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing/2017/02/20/e-commerce-is-booming-these-stocks-are-rising-and-its-time-to-take-advantage/">for some time now</a>. Today&#8217;s interim numbers go some way to explaining why.</p>
<p>In the six months to the end of October, group revenue rose 21.1% to just under £200m with earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) climbing 19.4% to £9.2m. Pre-tax pr<span class="nk">ofit increased a healthy 15.6% to £7.9m.</span></p>
<p class="nv"><span class="nk">Over the reporting period, Clipper expanded its click-and-collect network with new clients such as Supergroup and Urban Outfitters, while also launching new operations with, among others, FTSE 100 giants <strong>Marks and Spencer</strong> and <strong>British American Tobacco</strong>. As evidence of further expansion overseas, the company is now working with <strong>ASOS</strong> at the latter&#8217;s new returns facility in Poland, building on its established relationship with the online fashion star in the UK. </span></p>
<p>Having completed on two &#8220;<em>immediately earnings-enhancing</em>&#8221; acquisitions over the reporting period (Tesam Distribution and RepairTech), <span class="ni">Executive Chairman Steve Parkin reflected that Clipper&#8217;s business pipeline &#8220;<em>continues to be strong</em>&#8221; and that the company expects</span><em><span class="ni"> &#8220;<span class="nk">the positive momentum from existing and new contracts to continue into the second half of the year&#8221;.</span></span></em></p>
<p class="nv">Trading at 27 times forecast earnings for the current financial year, Clipper&#8217;s stock certainly isn&#8217;t cheap.  Then again, a fairly low price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 1.24 (dropping to 1.1 in 2018/19) suggests that prospective buyers would still be getting a good deal for their money.</p>
<p class="nv">Add to this the assumption that online retailing will only become more popular and the fact that Clipper isn&#8217;t dependent on any one business for its success and I remain convinced that the logistics services provider is an excellent addition to most growth-focused portfolios.</p>
<h3>Multi-channel marvel</h3>
<p>Assuming recent performance has continued over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period, another stock that I think might be worth snapping up before Christmas is the owner of the aforementioned Superdry brand, <strong>Supergroup</strong> (LSE: SGP).</p>
<p>November&#8217;s trading update from the Cheltenham-based business &#8212; revealing a solid 20.4% rise in group revenue to £402m over H1 &#8212; gives some indication of just how well this company is faring relative to peers. Although gross margin is expected to be lower as a result of growth in wholesale, inflation and ongoing investment, the board still anticipates underlying pre-tax profit for the full year being in line with market expectations.</p>
<p>Like Clipper, Supergroup&#8217;s global expansion continues at pace with a total of 50 new stores, spread across 23 countries, added to its portfolio over the reporting period. As CEO Euan Sutherland explained at the time, this should help &#8220;<em>insulate the business from trading conditions in any single market</em>&#8220;.  </p>
<p class="fy">Having climbed just over 30% in value over the last six months, Supergroup&#8217;s stock currently trades on a still-fairly-reasonable forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21. Assuming analyst earnings growth targets are hit, this reduces to 18 in the next financial year.</p>
<p class="fy">Taking into account its rock solid balance sheet and history of delivering consistently decent returns on the capital it invests, Supergroup is surely one of the best retail picks on the market.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/12/07/2-high-growth-stocks-you-might-regret-not-buying-before-christmas/">2 high-growth stocks you might regret not buying before Christmas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-yield-of-6-8-and-a-p-e-ratio-of-12-1-is-this-a-dirt-cheap-ftse-250-stock-to-consider/'>With a yield of 6.8% and a P/E ratio of 12.1, is this a dirt cheap FTSE 250 stock to consider?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/will-spacex-nvidia-or-alphabet-be-the-first-10trn-stock/'>Will SpaceX, Nvidia, or Alphabet be the first $10trn stock?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/up-95-this-ftse-100-stocks-outperformed-nvidia-over-the-past-year/'>Up 95%! This FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s outperformed Nvidia over the past year</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-9-3-yield-is-this-an-amazing-opportunity-to-consider-buying-dirt-cheap-taylor-wimpey-shares/'>With a 9.3% yield, is this an amazing opportunity to consider buying dirt-cheap Taylor Wimpey shares?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/how-much-do-you-need-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-375-a-week-in-retirement/'>How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for £375 a week in retirement?</a></li></ul><p><em>Paul Summers has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Supergroup. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>2 beaten-down shares with turnaround potential</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/01/23/2-beaten-down-shares-with-turnaround-potential/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2017 16:11:29 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Tang]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BT Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dividend]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marks & Spencer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telecommunications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Turnaround]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=91772</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Is a recovery due for these two beaten-down shares?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/01/23/2-beaten-down-shares-with-turnaround-potential/">2 beaten-down shares with turnaround potential</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here are two beaten-down shares that I believe have big turnaround prospects in 2017.</p>
<h3 class="western">Tough year</h3>
<p>It&#8217;s been a tough year for <b>BT</b> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-bt-a/">LSE: BT.A</a>) shareholders. Despite a strong performance from the FTSE 100, shares in the telecoms company have fallen more than 20% over the past 52 weeks. BT shares have been in stuck in a downtrend for more than a year, as investors have been spooked by the company&#8217;s widening pension deficit and the possible legal separation of its Openreach network operations.</p>
<p>However, I feel that these fears may be overdone and I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised to see BT shares make up lost ground this year. That&#8217;s because underlying fundamentals remain strong as its investment in fibre broadband services begins to pay off in terms of profitability and free cash flow generation.</p>
<p>Management is also making good on the promise to deliver revenue and cost synergies from the acquisition of mobile operator EE, which could greatly enhance BT&#8217;s competitive position and customer profitability. And in spite of despite regulatory uncertainty, the possibility of a positive outcome from Ofcom’s ruling on BT’s Openreach division could greatly renew investor confidence in the company&#8217;s near-term outlook and give its shares a much needed boost.</p>
<h3>Attractively priced</h3>
<p>At a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.8, BT shares are attractively priced in today&#8217;s market, and especially so when compared to sector peers Vodafone and Sky, which have forward P/Es of 37.1 and 17.3, respectively.</p>
<p>What&#8217;s more, BT&#8217;s dividend prospects appear to be in good shape even as its pension deficit approaches £10bn. That&#8217;s because free cash flow is set to exceed £3.1bn this year, and £3.6bn next, which would give the company ample room to increase its pension contributions and deliver further dividend growth.</p>
<p>The shares may currently yield just 3.6%, but for 2017 and 2018, city analysts expect BT&#8217;s yield would rise to 4.0% and 4.4%, respectively.</p>
<h3 class="western">Muted reaction</h3>
<p><b>Marks and Spencer</b>&#8216;s (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE: MKS</a>) general merchandise sales have been struggling for a number of years, but a turnaround seems to be in sight. Like-for-like sales for its clothing and homeware products smashed market expectations by rising 2.3% during the Christmas shopping period &#8212; the first piece of good news from its general merchandise business in seven years.</p>
<p>However, investors remain unnerved on its outlook and the muted share price reaction on this latest piece of good news reflects this mood. Concerns that consumer spending may be about to wane as higher inflation is set to hurt real household incomes this year remains high on the agenda, but investors are also concerned that M&amp;S still has a long way to go before sales return to steady year-on-year growth.</p>
<h3>Upside potential</h3>
<p>With M&amp;S now trading at 12.8 times expected 2015/6 earnings, there&#8217;s plenty of upside potential.</p>
<p>Its sector peers trade on an average of 15.1 times earnings, while the FTSE 100&#8217;s average forward P/E is 13.6. What&#8217;s more, shares in M&amp;S currently yield 5.6%, which is significantly above the sector&#8217;s peer average of 4.4% and the FTSE 100&#8217;s average yield of 3.2%.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2017/01/23/2-beaten-down-shares-with-turnaround-potential/">2 beaten-down shares with turnaround potential</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/16/why-has-the-bt-share-price-almost-doubled-yet-gone-nowhere/">Why has the BT share price almost doubled – yet gone nowhere?</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/16/down-16-in-5-weeks-are-bt-shares-just-too-good-to-miss/">Down 16% in 5 weeks, are BT shares just too good to miss?</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/15/ftse-100-to-surge-to-11668-2-cheap-stocks-to-buy-before-the-rally/">FTSE 100 to surge to 11,668! 2 cheap stocks to buy before the rally</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/09/down-16-to-around-2-03-heres-where-bts-bargain-basement-shares-should-be-trading-right-now/">Down 16% to around £2.03! Here’s where BT’s bargain-basement shares ‘should’ be trading right now</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/09/the-bt-share-price-is-already-up-91-5-in-2-years-can-it-hit-3/">The BT share price is already up 91.5% in 2 years! Can it hit £3?</a></li></ul><p><em>Jack Tang has a position in Marks and Spencer Group plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>Are these the best small-cap dividend stocks?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/16/are-these-the-best-small-cap-dividend-stocks/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2016 16:13:47 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Tang]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conviviality Retail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dividend]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dividends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth & income]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pendragon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Caps]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=89184</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Income investors: don't miss out on these high-yielding small-cap stocks for growing dividends.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/16/are-these-the-best-small-cap-dividend-stocks/">Are these the best small-cap dividend stocks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These two small-cap stocks yield over 4% and offer solid dividend growth potential.</p>
<h3 class="western">Deeply undervalued</h3>
<p>Shares in automotive retailer <b>Pendrago</b><b>n</b> (LSE: PDG) have not had an easy run of late. Since the start of the year, the value of the company&#8217;s shares have fallen by 35% on concerns over a potential slowdown in new car sales following the Brexit vote.</p>
<p>However, despite the economic uncertainty created by the June referendum outcome, consumer confidence has held up more resiliently than many economists had previously expected. Likewise, Pendragon&#8217;s revenue growth defied earlier expectations. The group&#8217;s sales grew 5.7% on a like-for-like basis in the third quarter of 2016, despite a strong comparator last year, while underlying pre-tax profit increased by 6.3%.</p>
<p>City analysts expects Pendragon will deliver earnings growth of 6% for the full-year 2016, with a further 5% growth pencilled in for next year. Based on these estimates, shares in the company seem deeply undervalued, trading at a forward P/E of just 7.8 this year, and falling to 7.4 times for 2017.</p>
<p>Shares in Pendragon currently yield 4.3%, with its dividend being well-covered by earnings and free cash flow. It is on track to deliver full-year dividend growth of at least 9%, with significant further growth likely to come over the next 3-5 years.</p>
<p>Earnings per share covered its dividend by more than 2.8 times last year. And even with this year&#8217;s expected 9% dividend growth, dividend cover will likely remain over 2.7 times for this year. Moreover, Pendragon has in place a £20m share buyback programme, with £6.1m already purchased as of 25 October.</p>
<h3 class="western">Transformative acquisitions</h3>
<p>Drinks retailer and distributor <b>Conviviality</b> (LSE: CVR) is delivering a strong performance across all divisions. Group revenues for the first half of its 2016/7 financial year more than tripled to £783m, thanks to robust organic growth in the period and synergy gains from recent acquisitions.</p>
<p>Lately, the company has been expanding rapidly into the wholesale and events business, and has made three big acquisitions over the past year: Matthew Clark, Peppermint and Bibendum PLB Group. These acquisitions have helped it to lower costs through growing scale and expand its wholesaling expertise into new markets and channels.</p>
<p>Following these transformative acquisitions, city analysts are becoming more sanguine on the outlook for the company. Their earnings forecasts have been steadily rising over recent weeks, and they now expect the company to deliver underlying EPS of 39% this year, with a further expansion of 17% for 2017/8.</p>
<p>This means shares in Conviviality currently trade on a 2016 forecast P/E of 10.0, falling to a P/E of 8.6 for 2017. Dividend growth is expected to remain at double digit percentage levels too, with shares trading at a prospective yield of 6.1% this year, and 6.7% on its 2017/8 forecast &#8212; that&#8217;s a significant improvement on its current yield of 4.7%.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/16/are-these-the-best-small-cap-dividend-stocks/">Are these the best small-cap dividend stocks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-yield-of-6-8-and-a-p-e-ratio-of-12-1-is-this-a-dirt-cheap-ftse-250-stock-to-consider/'>With a yield of 6.8% and a P/E ratio of 12.1, is this a dirt cheap FTSE 250 stock to consider?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/will-spacex-nvidia-or-alphabet-be-the-first-10trn-stock/'>Will SpaceX, Nvidia, or Alphabet be the first $10trn stock?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/up-95-this-ftse-100-stocks-outperformed-nvidia-over-the-past-year/'>Up 95%! This FTSE 100 stock&#8217;s outperformed Nvidia over the past year</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/with-a-9-3-yield-is-this-an-amazing-opportunity-to-consider-buying-dirt-cheap-taylor-wimpey-shares/'>With a 9.3% yield, is this an amazing opportunity to consider buying dirt-cheap Taylor Wimpey shares?</a></li><li> <a href='https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/07/01/how-much-do-you-need-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-375-a-week-in-retirement/'>How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for £375 a week in retirement?</a></li></ul><p><em>Jack Tang has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Pendragon. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>Are these the FTSE 100&#8217;s biggest bargains?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/09/are-these-the-ftse-100s-biggest-bargains-2/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2016 07:00:11 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Bilaal Mohamed]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dixons Carphone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 100]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Support Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travis Perkins]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=88615</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Bilaal Mohamed takes a closer look at two companies from the FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) currently trading at very enticing valuations.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/09/are-these-the-ftse-100s-biggest-bargains-2/">Are these the FTSE 100&#8217;s biggest bargains?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Shares in Europe’s leading electrical and telecoms retailer <strong>Dixons Carphone</strong> (LSE: DC) have been in decline since last Christmas, falling from highs of 500p to today’s levels around 320p. Is it possible that the share price slide is purely down to investors taking profits after a four-year rally that has seen the shares quadruple in value. Or could there be a less innocent reason?</p>
<p>Personally I think it’s a bit of both. Yes, many investors in the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> group will have wanted to bank their paper profits, but I also think that many believed the pace of growth was unsustainable and the shares were starting to look expensive based on a slower growth outlook. They were right. Underlying profits for the year to April rose just 8%, compared to 46% the previous year and 71% in FY2014. But after losing a third of their value since this time last year, are the shares now in bargain territory, or should investors remain cautious?</p>
<h3>No Brexit impact</h3>
<p>In its latest update management confirmed that there had been no detectable impact of the <strong>Brexit</strong> vote on consumer behaviour in the UK, and in fact first quarter like-for-like revenue in the UK &amp; Ireland was up 4% despite being negatively affected by refurbishment disruption. Total group revenue was up 9% for the first three months of its financial year, with like-for-like revenue in Southern Europe up by an impressive 13%, driven by strong growth in Greece.</p>
<p>There was further encouraging news with the company announcing that a new e-commerce platform for Carphone Warehouse had gone live in the UK &amp; Ireland, and the group’s 3-in-1 programme which aims to bring the Currys, PC World and Carphone Warehouse brands under one roof was well on track.</p>
<p>In addition, the company is now able to deliver the entire Dixons Carphone small product range to customers across 500 Carphone Warehouse stores, making it one of the largest click-and-collect operations in the UK. With further growth in prospect, I believe Dixons Carphone is a rare blue chip bargain trading at below 11 times earnings for fiscal 2017.</p>
<h3>Recovery play</h3>
<p>Builder’s merchant and home improvement retailer <strong>Travis Perkins</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-tpk/">LSE: TPK</a>) has also seen the value of its stock fall heavily this year with its shares now trading close to three-year lows. This year’s slump leaves the company’s shares trading on an enticing valuation at just 11 times forward earnings. But is this genuine value for bargain hunters, or is there further pain to come?</p>
<p>In its most recent update, the Northampton-based group announced the closure of 30 branches in its trade businesses, as well as 10 smaller distribution and fabrication centres, as a result of uncertainty in consumer demand for 2017. The closures will be part of a cost-cutting programme that includes the write-off of some IT legacy equipment.</p>
<p>Personally, I think these efficiency programmes will help to optimise the group’s network in the long run. And although uncertainties surrounding <strong>Brexit</strong> will continue for some time, the UK is still facing a housing shortage, and new construction and planning permission should continue to benefit from government policy. At current levels I see Travis Perkins as a long-term recovery play in the building and construction sector.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/09/are-these-the-ftse-100s-biggest-bargains-2/">Are these the FTSE 100&#8217;s biggest bargains?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/20/up-4-3-this-month-is-it-time-for-uk-investors-to-cycle-back-into-the-more-domestically-focused-ftse-250-index/">Up 3.5% this month, is it time for UK investors to cycle back into the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 index?</a></li></ul><p><em>Bilaal Mohamed has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>Don&#8217;t ignore these FTSE 250 shares with explosive growth potential</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/07/dont-ignore-these-ftse-250-shares-with-explosive-growth-potential/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2016 07:25:32 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Bilaal Mohamed]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aldi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B&M]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brexit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTSE 250]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just Eat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lidl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poundland]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=88438</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Bilaal Mohamed reveals two mid-cap shares with exciting growth potential.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/07/dont-ignore-these-ftse-250-shares-with-explosive-growth-potential/">Don&#8217;t ignore these FTSE 250 shares with explosive growth potential</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The UK’s fastest growing variety retailer <strong>B&amp;M European Value Retail</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-bme/">LSE: BME</a>) is one of my favourite stocks at the moment. While famous names have been disappearing from the high street, <strong>FTSE 250</strong>-listed B&amp;M has been busy spreading its wings and expanding the number of stores it operates all around the country. Investors can either choose to be snobbish and ignore the discount revolution, or accept that this is most certainly a growth area.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it’s not possible to buy shares in <strong>Aldi</strong> or <strong>Lidl</strong>, not because they’re German, but because they’re privately owned and not publicly traded. Shame. Earlier this year <strong>Poundland</strong> was bought by South African holding company Steinhoff International, so it&#8217;s also off the table. And up until a couple of years ago you couldn’t buy shares in B&amp;M either, but now you can snap them up at less than their June 2014 initial public offering (IPO) price of 270p.</p>
<h3>B&amp;M looks good value</h3>
<p>The shares did well initially, soaring to 358p last summer, but then the valuation started to look very demanding at 30 times earnings for FY2015. Investors who decided to take profits were proven right when the shares began their descent to today’s levels of around 235p. In my view the sell-off isn’t justified as B&amp;M will soon grow into its lofty valuation and prove to the market that it can still demonstrate strong growth even after the rapid expansion of the last few years. The company’s revenues surpassed £2bn for the last financial year while underlying earnings increased by a healthy 26%.</p>
<p>There’s plenty more to come from B&amp;M as the company aims to increase the number of UK stores from 511 to 850, with further openings in Germany too. City analysts are projecting 10% earnings growth this year, with an even better 11% improvement pencilled-in for next year, leaving the once-expensive shares trading at a very agreeable 15 times earnings for FY2018. I&#8217;m expecting more consumers will turn to B&amp;M once the effects of <strong>Brexit</strong> start to bite, and investors might want to do the same.</p>
<h3>Grab a slice of Just Eat</h3>
<p>Online food delivery service <strong>Just Eat</strong> (LSE: JE) last week upgraded its guidance for the full year after reporting a strong third quarter. The mid-cap firm lifted guidance for full-year revenues from £368m to £371m after it revealed total orders for the three months to the end of September had grown to 33.3m, a 34% rise on the previous year on both a reported and like-for-like basis.</p>
<p>Just Eat has been investing in a number of technology and marketing initiatives and is beginning to see the benefits in many of its markets as it continues to grow both organically and through worldwide acquisitions. The valuation might look excessive at 50 times earnings for the full year, but this falls to a more palatable 33 times earnings by the end of 2017. I think Just East has plenty more growth potential, particularly abroad, and should easily grow into its lofty valuation in the coming years.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/11/07/dont-ignore-these-ftse-250-shares-with-explosive-growth-potential/">Don&#8217;t ignore these FTSE 250 shares with explosive growth potential</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/06/not-sure-what-a-sipp-is-3-reasons-it-could-pay-to-know/">Not sure what a SIPP is? 3 reasons it could pay to know!</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/03/up-15-bm-shares-are-leading-the-ftse-250-higher-is-the-comeback-on/">Up 15%, B&amp;M shares are leading the FTSE 250 higher! Is the comeback on?</a></li></ul><p><em>Bilaal Mohamed has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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                                <title>3 hot dates for June: Tullow Oil plc, Dixons Carphone plc, Berkeley Group Holdings plc</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/05/31/3-hot-dates-for-june-tullow-oil-plc-dixons-carphone-plc-berkeley-group-holdings-plc/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2016 17:32:04 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Oscroft]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Berkeley Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dixons Carphone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exploration & Production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Construction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housebuilders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Household Goods & Home Construction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oil & Gas Producers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Specialty Retailers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tullow Oil]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=82271</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Do Tullow Oil plc (LON: TLW), Dixons Carphone plc (LON: DC) &#38; Berkeley Group Holdings plc (LON: BKG) provide great June bargains?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/05/31/3-hot-dates-for-june-tullow-oil-plc-dixons-carphone-plc-berkeley-group-holdings-plc/">3 hot dates for June: Tullow Oil plc, Dixons Carphone plc, Berkeley Group Holdings plc</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Heading into June, the rate of company reporting is starting to drop off a little for the summer, but we still have a few tasty morsels coming our way.</p>
<h3>Electronics revival</h3>
<p>The story of the old Dixons was a remarkable one of turnaround from the brink of disaster, and since its rebirth as <strong>Dixons Carphone</strong> (LSE: DC) we&#8217;ve seen a decent performance. Dixons shares have gained 39% over the past two years to 443p, and the company&#8217;s dividend has been creeping up slowly.</p>
<p>For the year ended April 2016, the forecast dividend would only yield a modest 2.2% on today&#8217;s share price, but it would represent an inflation-smashing rise of 26% on the previous year and there are big boosts on the cards for the next two years. The firm&#8217;s fourth-quarter trading update told us to expect headline pre-tax profit of between £445m and £450m, after revenues grew by 5% in the final quarter and over the 12 months. Net debt should below £300, which is really nothing at all to be worried about.</p>
<p>What about the value of the shares? The latest P/E of 15.6 might seem a little high, but that would drop to 12.6 by April 2018 if forecasts prove accurate, and I see that as fair value for a company with decent growth expectations even if it&#8217;s perhaps not a screaming bargain. Full-year results are due on 29 June.</p>
<h3>Cash in on housing</h3>
<p>Before that, on 15 June, we&#8217;re due full-year results from housebuilder <strong>Berkeley Group Holdings</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-bkg/">LSE: BKG</a>). The City&#8217;s analysts are expecting a standstill in earnings for this year to put the 3,302p shares on a P/E of around 12.7, which might not sound too thrilling. But a 50% EPS forecast for the year to April 2017 would drop that to just 8.4, and there are dividend yields of 6% on the cards.</p>
<p>In its last update in March, Berkeley told us that the London market was stable and that it had &#8220;<em>cash due on forward sales remaining in excess of £3 billion</em>&#8220;, although reservations were down 4% on the previous year at that point. But the company did predict &#8220;<em>£2 billion of pre-tax profit in aggregate over the three years culminating in 2017/18</em>&#8221; and said that results should be at the top end of expectations.</p>
<p>Fears for a slowdown or even a reversal in London house prices have helped show share price growth, and we&#8217;re looking at a rise of just 6% in the past 12 months. But with expectations so strong, I&#8217;d say rumours of a demise in the housebuilding sector are very much exaggerated.</p>
<h3>Oil &amp; gas bargain?</h3>
<p>On 30 June we should see a trading and operational update from <strong>Tullow Oil</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-tlw/">LSE: TLW</a>), ahead of first-half results due on 27 July. Tullow oil shares have picked up 84% since their low on 20 January, trading now at 232p, and that is in no small part due to the recovery in the oil price to above $50 per barrel.</p>
<p>Tullow is one of those mid-sized oil companies that carry a lot of debt, but which at least do have profits on the cards to service it. And while that makes the firm riskier than the likes of <strong>BP</strong> and <strong>Shell</strong>, it&#8217;s way ahead of the unprofitable tiddlers in the safety stakes. Despite that, Tullow shares are still down 85% since their peak in early 2012, and you&#8217;d have had very little in the way of dividends since then.</p>
<p>But the tide looks like turning, and now could be a great time to buy Tullow Oil shares.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2016/05/31/3-hot-dates-for-june-tullow-oil-plc-dixons-carphone-plc-berkeley-group-holdings-plc/">3 hot dates for June: Tullow Oil plc, Dixons Carphone plc, Berkeley Group Holdings plc</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More reading</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/06/20/up-4-3-this-month-is-it-time-for-uk-investors-to-cycle-back-into-the-more-domestically-focused-ftse-250-index/">Up 3.5% this month, is it time for UK investors to cycle back into the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 index?</a></li></ul><p><em>Alan Oscroft has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Berkeley Group Holdings, BP, and Royal Dutch Shell. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
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