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        <title>Marks And Spencer Group Plc (LSE:MKS) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Twelfth Magpie</title>
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	<title>Marks And Spencer Group Plc (LSE:MKS) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Twelfth Magpie</title>
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                                <title>£5,000 invested in Marks &#038; Spencer shares 5 years ago is now worth&#8230;</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/26/5000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-5-years-ago-is-now-worth/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 06:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zaven Boyrazian, CFA]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing For Beginners]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1693798</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Marks &#38; Spencer shares have pulled off one of the great retail comebacks of recent years, but after a stunning run, can the momentum continue?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/26/5000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-5-years-ago-is-now-worth/">£5,000 invested in Marks &amp; Spencer shares 5 years ago is now worth&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marks &amp; Spencer </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>) shares&nbsp;have been a formidable performer over the last five years, outpacing even the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> and many of its rivals at the same time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since May 2021, the share price has jumped 113.9%. And anyone who reinvested the dividends paid along the way has earned an even greater 119% gain – enough to turn a £5,000 initial investment into £10,951.50 today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The group’s turnaround efforts of reshaping its stores, improving its product ranges, and upgrading its digital capabilities have clearly created value. But now the question is, can it do it again?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bull-case">The bull case</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Marks &amp; Spencer’s business has fundamentally improved over the last five years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its Food division, long seen as the strongest part of the company, has been taking market share and continuing to post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-profit-and-loss-account/">solid growth</a>. Even in its latest updates, food sales outperformed the wider grocery sector, driven by improved value perception and a record number of customers returning to its stores.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Fashion, Home &amp; Beauty side of the business has also been overhauled. After years of struggling with tired ranges and bloated store space, <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/investment-glossary/c-suite-meaning/">management&#8217;s seemingly</a> modernised its fashion offer, targeted younger shoppers, and closed underperforming locations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But efforts to bolster underlying performance are still playing out. The company&#8217;s actively investing in new, more efficient distribution centres and is pressing ahead with store revamps.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Therefore, if management can keep delivering margin improvements while continuing to win market share in food, investors could be on track to enjoy even more impressive gains in the coming years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-could-go-wrong">What could go wrong?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not everything has been hunky dory. 2025 saw the company taking a pretty massive hit as a result of a cyber-attack, which disrupted its online checkouts, particularly for the Fashion, Home &amp; Beauty segment, which saw full-year sales slump 7.7% during the 12-month period ended in March.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While this cyber breach has been sorted, looking ahead, the retail environment remains tricky. Food sales are seemingly holding up well, but with consumer discretionary spending under pressure, delivering further growth could prove challenging.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For Marks &amp; Spencer, the firm may be forced to do some heavier discounting activity to retain its recent market share gains. While that’s great news for shoppers, it’s less so for profit margins and the bottom line. And don’t forget, profitability&#8217;s already getting squeezed as a result of the recent National Insurance and Minimum Wage changes in the UK.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-is-the-rally-over">So is the rally over?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Marks &amp; Spencer seems to be in a much stronger position today compared to five years ago, even after the cybersecurity breach. And with the stock trading at just 9.4 times forward earnings, the valuation isn’t too demanding either.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As such, when looking at the latest share price forecasts from institutional investors, the consensus is that Marks &amp; Spencer shares still have more room to grow. With that in mind, while the risks of margin pressure are real, investors seeking to diversify into the retail sector may want to consider taking a closer look.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><h2>Should you invest £5,000 in Marks And Spencer Group Plc right now?</h2>
<p>When investing expert Mark Rogers and his team have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Twelfth Magpie Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets.</p>
<p>And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Marks And Spencer Group Plc made the list?</p>
<div class="wp-block-custom-block-collection-cta-button">
	<a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/int-free-best-buy-now/" style="background-color:#5fa85d; width:fit-content; display:inline-flex; cursor:pointer; justify-content:center; align-items:center; transition:all 0.3s ease;border-width:0px; border-style:solid; border-color:#000000; border-top-left-radius:4px; border-top-right-radius:4px; border-bottom-right-radius:4px; border-bottom-left-radius:4px; --hover-background-color:#358832; --pressed-background-color:#0cbf06; padding-top:12px; padding-right:24px; padding-bottom:12px; padding-left:24px; margin-top:0px; margin-right:auto; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px" class="custom-cta-button" data-hover-background-color="#358832" data-pressed-background-color="#0cbf06" ><p class="has-white-color has-text-color" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:0px;font-style:normal;font-weight:600">See The Six Stocks</p></a>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Zaven Boyrazian does not hold any positions in the companies mentioned.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/26/5000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-5-years-ago-is-now-worth/">£5,000 invested in Marks &amp; Spencer shares 5 years ago is now worth&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>As Marks &#038; Spencer storms back from its 2025 cyberattack, is it time to buy the shares?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/20/as-marks-spencer-storms-back-from-its-2025-cyberattack-is-it-time-to-buy-the-shares/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 13:02:26 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Oscroft]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1692437</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Marks &#38; Spencer has just wound up a traumatic financial year, yet its shares have shown remarkable resilience. I see reasons for optimism.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/20/as-marks-spencer-storms-back-from-its-2025-cyberattack-is-it-time-to-buy-the-shares/">As Marks &amp; Spencer storms back from its 2025 cyberattack, is it time to buy the shares?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marks &amp; Spencer</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE: MKS</a>) shares gained 5% Wednesday morning (20 May), despite a 25% fall in full-year revenue and a 24% drop in adjusted pre-tax profit.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The weak headline figures were a result of last year&#8217;s cyberattack. It meant M&amp;S had to suspend all online sales for around six weeks as it worked to recover its systems. And many shelves were left empty as distribution logistics were upended.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But the profit hit was less than feared.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-back-to-growth">Back to growth</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>That was an extraordinary year. We were laser focused on our customers, worked incredibly hard to recover our business, and we came out stronger.</em><br>&#8212; CEO Stuart Machin</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For the new financial year, management expects to get back to profit growth &#8212; compared to levels from before the attack. And the company pushed on with its transformation plan, in spite of the setback.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The future isn&#8217;t without its difficulties, mind. CEO Stuart Machin warned: &#8220;<em>Retailers face a triple whammy of headwinds with increased taxation, a greater regulatory burden and ongoing global conflict</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He added: &#8220;<em>At M&amp;S we are unshaken by short-term events.</em>&#8221; That&#8217;s an approach long-term investors really should strive to emulate. And it looks like they did &#8212; the share price wobbled on news of the cyber breach, but there was no major sell-off.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-approach">Long-term approach</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The relatively calm approach from M&amp;S shareholders takes a bit of the short-term risk off a potentially volatile retail stock, in my eyes. And it makes me think more favourably towards the idea of investing. Although Marks &amp; Spencer shares are still down 8% over the past 12 months, we&#8217;re looking at a 120% rise in five years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In an expression of confidence, the board announced a 16.7% rise in the full-year <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend</a> to 4.2p per share. That&#8217;s only a 1.3% yield on the previous day&#8217;s closing price. But it&#8217;s still marginally better than expected. And in the words of this latest update, it&#8217;s &#8220;<em>conservative, reflecting the current investment phase.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There appears to be plenty of <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-balance-sheet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cash on the books</a>, with a net £338.2m (excluding lease liabilities). But I&#8217;d prefer a company to prioritise its use of cash to boost long-term prospects rather than fill short-term pockets. Sadly, too many seem to have it the opposite way round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-should-investors-do">What should investors do?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I confess I&#8217;m pulled in two directions here. Going on adjusted earnings per share, Marks &amp; Spencer shares are now on a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.2. But based on statutory figures, it&#8217;s up at 26.7. In the case of M&amp;S&#8217;s management, I think I trust them to make the adjustments fair &#8212; and that&#8217;s not a bad valuation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Analysts have a forecast P/E of 10.4 for the 2026-27 year, which also seems attractive. But does it really allow enough safety room to cope with the dangers facing the retail sector &#8212; that &#8220;<em>triple whammy</em>&#8220;?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Retail is just too uncertain for me to want to buy into it now. But saying that, I rate M&amp;S as possibly one of the long-term best in the sector under its current management. And I reckon retail investors should definitely take a closer look.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><h2>Should you invest £5,000 in Marks And Spencer Group Plc right now?</h2>
<p>When investing expert Mark Rogers and his team have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Twelfth Magpie Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets.</p>
<p>And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Marks And Spencer Group Plc made the list?</p>
<div class="wp-block-custom-block-collection-cta-button">
	<a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/int-free-best-buy-now/" style="background-color:#5fa85d; width:fit-content; display:inline-flex; cursor:pointer; justify-content:center; align-items:center; transition:all 0.3s ease;border-width:0px; border-style:solid; border-color:#000000; border-top-left-radius:4px; border-top-right-radius:4px; border-bottom-right-radius:4px; border-bottom-left-radius:4px; --hover-background-color:#358832; --pressed-background-color:#0cbf06; padding-top:12px; padding-right:24px; padding-bottom:12px; padding-left:24px; margin-top:0px; margin-right:auto; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px" class="custom-cta-button" data-hover-background-color="#358832" data-pressed-background-color="#0cbf06" ><p class="has-white-color has-text-color" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:0px;font-style:normal;font-weight:600">See The Six Stocks</p></a>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Alan Oscroft does not hold any positions in the companies mentioned.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/20/as-marks-spencer-storms-back-from-its-2025-cyberattack-is-it-time-to-buy-the-shares/">As Marks &amp; Spencer storms back from its 2025 cyberattack, is it time to buy the shares?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>61% under ‘fair value’ with 31% annual earnings growth forecast! Time for me to buy more of this FTSE gem?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/18/61-under-fair-value-with-31-annual-earnings-growth-forecast-time-for-me-to-buy-more-of-this-ftse-gem/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 06:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Simon Watkins]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1692023</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>This FTSE company’s price seems wildly out of sync with its strengthening fundamentals, hinting at re-rating potential the market hasn’t woken up to.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/18/61-under-fair-value-with-31-annual-earnings-growth-forecast-time-for-me-to-buy-more-of-this-ftse-gem/">61% under ‘fair value’ with 31% annual earnings growth forecast! Time for me to buy more of this FTSE gem?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>FTSE 100 </strong>British retailing icon <strong>Marks and Spencer</strong>’s (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE: MKS</a>) share price is down 22% from its 27 October £4.11 one-year high.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The drop is largely due, in my view, to the broadly softer tone in UK retail data in the past year or so. This is despite M&amp;S outperforming the wider sector by a big margin.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Store upgrades are driving stronger sales density, while the food arm is gaining share across the market. At the same time, its clothing margins have been reset at a higher, more durable level.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">All this positions the firm well to extend its outperformance and deliver strong earnings growth. So, where could the share price be headed?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-high-can-the-stock-go"><strong>How high can the stock go?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A share’s ‘fair value’ is where it ‘should’ trade, based on the long-term fundamentals of the underlying business. Price, meanwhile, is just a short-term marker of wherever buyers and sellers are happy to trade at any point.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/discounted-cash-flow-dcf/">Discounted cash flow</a> (DCF) analysis values a business by estimating its future cash generation and discounting it back to today. When those forecasts become less certain, investors demand higher returns, which increases the discount rate.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Depending on their assumptions, analysts’ DCF valuations may differ. But based on my own framework — including an 8.2% discount rate — M&amp;S shares look 62% undervalued at their present £3.20 price.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That places fair value at roughly £8.42 &#8212; more than double the current level. If markets continue to move toward fair value, this could be an outstanding buying opportunity to consider <span style="text-decoration: underline">if</span> that DCF modelling proves accurate.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-05-18" data-end-date="2026-05-18" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-ll-drive-share-price-gains"><strong>What’ll drive share price gains?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Share price gains are ultimately powered by sustained rises in a company’s profits over time. A risk to M&amp;S is a sharper downturn in consumer spending, which could slow sales momentum. Another is an intensification of competition that could pressure margins.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nonetheless, analysts forecast that M&amp;S’s <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-profit-and-loss-account/">profits will rise</a> by a yearly average of 31% over the medium term at minimum. Its 12 November Capital Markets Day strategy meeting highlighted some of the key drivers behind this.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It broadly expects more store openings, stronger value perception and a modernised supply chain to lift sales and profit margins in its Food division. And it sees a doubling of its online Fashion, Home &amp; Beauty business, driven by product leadership, improved omnichannel capability and more efficient logistics.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It also envisages a £600m structural reduction in costs by 2028 through investment in automation, technology and supply‑chain simplification.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-investment-view"><strong>My investment view</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">M&amp;S now looks like a business with genuine momentum behind it, not just a recovery story. Stronger trading, a clearer growth strategy and a structurally lower cost base give it a far more resilient earnings profile than in the past.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With profits forecast to rise sharply, the valuation still appears to underestimate the scale of the transformation under way. The balance sheet is stronger, cash generation is improving and management execution has been consistently ahead of expectations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Taken together, these factors make M&amp;S a compelling prospect for investors looking for both growth and improving income potential, in my view.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And I will certainly be adding to my own stake in the firm soon. In addition, I have seen other deeply undervalued stocks &#8212; several offering high dividend yields &#8212; in other sectors recently.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Simon Watkins has positions in Marks And Spencer Group Plc. The Twelfth Magpie has recommended Marks And Spencer Group Plc. 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 and Hidden Winners. Here at <em>The Twelfth Magpie</em> we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/help/disclaimer/what-does-it-mean-to-be-motley/">us better investors.</a></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/18/61-under-fair-value-with-31-annual-earnings-growth-forecast-time-for-me-to-buy-more-of-this-ftse-gem/">61% under ‘fair value’ with 31% annual earnings growth forecast! Time for me to buy more of this FTSE gem?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>£10,000 invested in Marks &#038; Spencer shares 1 year ago is now worth&#8230;</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/10000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-1-year-ago-is-now-worth-2/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. James Fox]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1685585</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Dr James Fox takes a closer look at the performance of Marks &#38; Spencer shares. The stock is among his favourites on the UK exchange. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/10000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-1-year-ago-is-now-worth-2/">£10,000 invested in Marks &amp; Spencer shares 1 year ago is now worth&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marks &amp; Spencer </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>) shares are down 13% over 12 months. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That means £10,000 invested in the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> retailer a year ago would be worth around £8,700 today. Not the result investors were hoping for from one of Britain&#8217;s most beloved high street names.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hack">The hack</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The culprit? A devastating cyberattack that sent shockwaves through the business and the broader retail sector. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The hack — which disrupted M&amp;S&#8217;s online operations, paused contactless payments, and forced the company to pull its click-and-collect service — was one of the most significant cyber incidents to hit a UK retailer in recent memory. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At its peak, the disruption was costing the company an estimated £43m a week in lost online sales. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The market reacted accordingly. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shares that had been riding high on the back of a genuine operational turnaround — strong food sales, a resurgent clothing division, improving margins — suddenly found themselves under pressure from a threat that had nothing to do with M&amp;S&#8217;s underlying business fundamentals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-gulf-crisis">A Gulf crisis</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">More recently, the conflict in the Gulf has held the shares back despite the company trading at some of the lowest multiples we&#8217;ve seen in the last decade. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What&#8217;s the Gulf link? It&#8217;s because higher natural gas prices feed directly into fertiliser costs — natural gas is the primary feedstock for nitrogen fertiliser production — and that upstream pressure inevitably works its way through the supply chain, squeezing supermarket margins at exactly the wrong moment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A protracted conflict remains one of the biggest risks to the business.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-opportune-moment">An opportune moment</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes the best time to invest is when the chips are down. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For M&amp;S, the cyberattack disruption is behind it. The Gulf crisis is a live risk, but geopolitical shocks of this nature tend to have a shorter shelf life than markets initially price in — and energy prices have a well-documented habit of retreating sharply from their peaks. The 2008 oil spike and subsequent collapse is the textbook example. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Neither issue looks permanent.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The interesting part of the equation is the valuation. Personally, I don&#8217;t believe there has been a more attractive time to buy Marks &amp; Spencer shares over the past decade. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s currently trading at just 10 <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/pe-ratio/">times forward earnings</a>. But earnings growth remains really strong over the medium term. The forward <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/">dividend yield</a> sits around 2% &#8212; covered five times by earnings &#8212; and net debt is manageable around £2.5bn. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Forecasts point to the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio falling to around 9.3 times in 2028 and this represents a huge discount to peers in the grocery segment. <strong>Tesco </strong>is currently around 15.4 times forward earnings, moderating sightly into 2028. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bottom-line">The bottom line</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">UK businesses can take a lot longer than their US counterparts to reach fair value. This is even the case outside of tech. For example, I bought an overlooked defence stock in November (<strong>ISSC</strong>), it was up 200% in three months. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the UK, I spent years waiting for <strong>Barclays </strong>and <strong>Lloyds </strong>to come good. Eventually I was rewarded, but it took time. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I believe Marks &amp; Spencer might be another example. So I&#8217;m building my holding and hoping the market will realise the value proposition here sooner rather than later. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s certainly worth considering. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/10000-invested-in-marks-spencer-shares-1-year-ago-is-now-worth-2/">£10,000 invested in Marks &amp; Spencer shares 1 year ago is now worth&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>5 years ago, £5,000 bought 3,185 Marks &#038; Spencer shares. But how many would it buy now?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/15/5-years-ago-5000-bought-3185-marks-spencer-shares-but-how-many-would-it-buy-now/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Beard]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1676287</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>According to a recent survey, Marks &#38; Spencer is the UK’s best brand. Does this mean it’s time to consider the group’s shares? James Beard takes a look.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/15/5-years-ago-5000-bought-3185-marks-spencer-shares-but-how-many-would-it-buy-now/">5 years ago, £5,000 bought 3,185 Marks &amp; Spencer shares. But how many would it buy now?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marks &amp; Spencer</strong>’s (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>) recent makeover has boosted both the perception of its brand and its shares. Over the past few years, the British icon has managed to shed its reputation for catering only for older customers and being a bit, well, middle-of-the-road.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Victoria Wood, the British comedian, once joked: “<em>I know I’m different sizes in different shops, 16 in some, 18 in others. In Marks and Spencer’s, I’m only a size three because they don’t want to upset anybody.</em>”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-then-and-now">Then and now</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Although those who bought the retailer’s shares in April 2021 might not be laughing all the way to the bank, they&#8217;re probably patting themselves on the back.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A £5,000 investment at the time would have bought 3,185 shares. Today (15 April), they&#8217;re worth (excluding dividends) an impressive £11,498. As an illustration of how well investors have done, the same investment now would get them 1,800 fewer shares.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But does a 130% rise in the retailer’s share price mean it’s too late to consider the stock? Let’s see.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-04-15" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-opportunity">Growth opportunity</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Although the group is probably more talked about for its clothing, it’s the food side of the business that most interests me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over the past three financial years, fashion, home, and beauty customer numbers have remained flat. Last year, they were overtaken by grocery shoppers for the first time. Food customers have increased 9% over the period and, significantly, they&#8217;re making an average of 2.9 more visits a year to the group’s shops.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Indeed, the company has set itself the target of doubling the size of its grocery business <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/foolish-investing-taking-the-long-term-approach/">over the long term</a>. To achieve this, it’s aiming to increase its number of food-only stores from 328 to 420.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes it’s forgotten that, since September 2020, the group’s had a joint venture with <strong>Ocado</strong>. During the 12 weeks to 22 March, it recorded a 2.2% share of the British grocery market. It’s never been higher.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-challenges">Some challenges</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Undoubtedly, there was a loss of investor confidence following last year’s cyberattack. This cost a lot to put right but, more significantly, led to some loyal customers shopping elsewhere.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite this, they came back and the group’s reputation with consumers appears unharmed. According to polling by <strong>YouGov</strong>, based on a combination of perception, quality, value, reputation, and satisfaction, it remains the nation’s best brand.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, operating a chain of shops is logistically challenging. And the fashion industry is notoriously difficult to get right with consumer tastes changing quickly. That’s another reason why I believe the emphasis on its less-cyclical food business is the right strategy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts">Final thoughts</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Personally, I think the group’s made great strides over the past 10 years or so, with progress only interrupted by the pandemic. Both its profit before tax and <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/return-on-equity-and-return-on-capital-employed/">return on capital employed</a> are going in the right direction.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="601" height="260" src="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1676288" style="width:840px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><sup>Source: investor presentation</sup></figcaption></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And despite changing shopping habits, it remains an important part of Britain’s high streets and retail parks.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I like what I see. That’s why I think it’s a stock to consider.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/15/5-years-ago-5000-bought-3185-marks-spencer-shares-but-how-many-would-it-buy-now/">5 years ago, £5,000 bought 3,185 Marks &amp; Spencer shares. But how many would it buy now?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>What are the best UK shares to buy now to try and make a million?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/13/what-are-the-best-uk-shares-to-buy-now-to-try-and-make-a-million/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zaven Boyrazian, CFA]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing For Beginners]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1673137</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The best UK shares to buy are often the companies that don’t just withstand weak market conditions, but continue to invest heavily throughout them.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/13/what-are-the-best-uk-shares-to-buy-now-to-try-and-make-a-million/">What are the best UK shares to buy now to try and make a million?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Finding the best shares to buy is a challenging feat. But for the intelligent investors who spot the under-the-radar winning opportunities, some impressive long-term returns can emerge, even among boring large-cap companies.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In fact, with enough time and compounding, even <strong>FTSE 100</strong> stocks can eventually grow a modest portfolio to millionaire territory.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, how can investors actually find these top-notch stocks? And which companies are the experts backing on their wealth-building journeys?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-uk-shares-use-short-term-challenges">The best UK shares use short-term challenges</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At some point along its journey, a business will encounter enormous disruptions or challenges.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But it’s the businesses with the financial resources, <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-cash-flow-statement/">superior cash flows</a>, and competitive advantages that are often the ones that make it through the storm.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The strongest of these are those that leverage <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/what-is-market-volatility/">short-term chaos</a> to steal market share from their weaker rivals. That way, when the wider industry or market cycle starts to recover, the business will be in a much stronger position to dominate and reward shareholders with chunky long-term returns.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, the question now becomes, which UK companies are currently trying to do just that?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spoilt-for-choice">Spoilt for choice</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2026, there is a long list of companies investing through the short-term downturn in the pursuit of long-term gains.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Barratt Redrow</strong> is consolidating smaller homebuilders in a falling housing cycle. <strong>Greggs</strong> is building out new factory facilities to support an expanding network of retail stores during a consumer spending slowdown. And <strong>BT Group</strong> is revamping its telecommunications infrastructure to bring down operating costs in an inflationary environment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But one FTSE company that currently stands out as potentially one of the best shares to consider buying now is <strong>Marks &amp; Spencer</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Under the new leadership of Stuart Machin since 2022, the company has significantly changed its destiny, expanding its food business ahead of the industry while simultaneously capturing previously lost ground within the fashion sector. In fact, during 2025, Marks &amp; Spencer achieved its highest market share in womenswear in nine years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This operational momentum has already delivered a 130%+ increase in the stock’s market cap over the last five years, or around 19% on an average annualised basis.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, with the forward price-to-earnings ratio standing at just 10.5, some institutional analysts think more momentum could still lie ahead.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For example, the team at <strong>UBS</strong> recently issued a 425p share price target – roughly 16% ahead of current levels. And if M&amp;S continues to outpace its industry in the long run, the stock could turn into a quality compounder that eventually helps elevate a portfolio to seven-figure territory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-verdict">What’s the verdict</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While M&amp;S shows promise, it’s important to recognise it’s not a risk-free investment. As a more premium food retailer, the company can be sensitive to economic shocks as consumers seek better value for money from fiercely competitive discounters.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There’s also understandable concern about the firm’s ability to protect its upgraded technological infrastructure. After all, its cybersecurity systems failed to protect the firm from a ransomware attack last year. And while the business has seemingly bounced back, another breach could signal a more structural vulnerability.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nevertheless, for investors looking for potential top-notch shares to buy that are hiding in plain sight, Marks &amp; Spencer could be worth a closer look.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/13/what-are-the-best-uk-shares-to-buy-now-to-try-and-make-a-million/">What are the best UK shares to buy now to try and make a million?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Consider these 2 dirt-cheap stocks to buy if the Straits of Hormuz permanently reopen</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/11/consider-these-2-dirt-cheap-stocks-to-buy-if-the-straits-of-hormuz-reopen/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 05:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. James Fox]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1672484</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Dr James Fox believes these are stocks to consider buying in the coming weeks -- if certain circumstances are met. Take a read. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/11/consider-these-2-dirt-cheap-stocks-to-buy-if-the-straits-of-hormuz-reopen/">Consider these 2 dirt-cheap stocks to buy if the Straits of Hormuz permanently reopen</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Good investors should always be on the lookout for stocks to buy. And sometimes, opportunity comes when the market is down, and simply, when bad things happen. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As most readers will know, the conflict in the Gulf has weighed on the stock market. Some stocks are down more than others. And that depends on their exposure.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Personally, my strategy is to buy stocks when the market is taking a hammering. It might sound painful, but it&#8217;s how some of the best investors operate.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, I appreciate some investors may wish for tensions to die down before investing further. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geography-matters">Geography matters </h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Around 20% of the world&#8217;s oil passes through the Straits of Hormuz every single day. When that shipping lane is disrupted or threatened, oil prices stay elevated — and elevated oil doesn&#8217;t just mean expensive petrol at the forecourt. It ripples through the entire economy.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jet fuel, which is essentially refined crude oil, is one of the largest single cost lines for any airline or package holiday operator (as much as 35% of operating costs). And food inflation is partly an oil story too, because energy costs sit inside fertilisers, packaging, cold storage, and logistics.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This is why both <strong>Jet2 </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-jet2/">LSE:JET2</a>) and <strong>Marks &amp; Spencer </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>) have been hit by the conflict despite having almost no operational exposure there. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jet2-priced-for-disaster">Jet2: priced for disaster</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jet2&#8217;s share price has fallen 42% from its 52-week high to 1,121p.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It now trades at just 6.3 <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/pe-ratio/">times forward earnings (P/E)</a>. That alone looks good value relative to peers, but the company also boasts an incredibly strong balance sheet. Remember, P/E ratios are only really relevant when they&#8217;re contextual.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jet2&#8217;s <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-balance-sheet/">balance sheet</a> is fortress-like, and that makes it well positioned to navigate uncertainty like this. It&#8217;s a little confusing because of the presentation in the earnings documents, but the company appears to have a net cash position of £800. That&#8217;s substantial for a company generating about £400m in net earnings per year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, a prolonged conflict here is a risk. Jet2 is phenomenally well hedged &#8212; over 75% of jet fuel purchased for the year &#8212; but the longer the conflict goes on, the greater the exposure becomes to sky-high spot prices.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s worth considering. Definitely my favourite in the sector. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marks-amp-spencer-just-needs-a-clean-break">Marks &amp; Spencer: just needs a clean break</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">M&amp;S has had its own difficult year &#8212; remember the ransomware attack. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Right now, however, UK grocery inflation is still running at 4.3%, squeezing food margins and dampening consumer sentiment. The irony is that M&amp;S&#8217;s underlying business is performing well — revenues rose 23% in its last half-year to £7.94bn, and analysts expect earnings per share to grow 46% this year to 22.7p. In turn, this implies a forward PE of just 10.7 times. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The war, of course, threatens more inflationary pressure, starting with fertiliser costs. The shorter the conflict, the quicker the recovery. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nonetheless, this is an excellent business, with genuine operational momentum. It&#8217;s absolutely worth considering, and the risk profile will decrease if the conflict ceases. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/11/consider-these-2-dirt-cheap-stocks-to-buy-if-the-straits-of-hormuz-reopen/">Consider these 2 dirt-cheap stocks to buy if the Straits of Hormuz permanently reopen</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Marks and Spencer’s share price is down 16% to below £4! Is now the time for me to buy the dip with an eye to £8+?</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/07/marks-and-spencers-share-price-is-down-16-to-below-4-is-now-the-time-for-me-to-buy-the-dip-with-an-eye-to-8/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Simon Watkins]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1671575</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Marks and Spencer’s share price has dipped, but is the market missing a far bigger story? The latest numbers hint at a valuation gap too large to ignore.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/07/marks-and-spencers-share-price-is-down-16-to-below-4-is-now-the-time-for-me-to-buy-the-dip-with-an-eye-to-8/">Marks and Spencer’s share price is down 16% to below £4! Is now the time for me to buy the dip with an eye to £8+?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marks and Spencer</strong>’s<strong> </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE: MKS</a>) share price has dipped from last year’s highs, making the retail giant&#8217;s stock appear cheap to some. But the real issue is what the underlying business is actually worth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Price and value often drift apart in shares, especially when a business turnaround is gathering pace beneath the surface. In this case, M&amp;S’s revival in Food and Clothing is now showing up in sustained market‑share gains and a far healthier adjusted earnings profile than the headline numbers imply.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, how does the earnings trajectory look now, and how wide is the price-to-valuation gap?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-earnings-momentum"><strong>Strong earnings momentum?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Earnings growth ultimately drives any firm’s share price. A risk to M&amp;S is any further cyberattack of the sort announced last April, which prompted the share price slide. Another is any slowdown in UK consumer spending that could squeeze discretionary sales.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That said, consensus analysts’ forecasts are that M&amp;S’s earnings will soar by an average 34% a year over the medium term. It latest <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/annual-reports-and-accounts/https:/www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/annual-reports-and-accounts/">major results</a> (H1 2025) look supportive of this, with sales jumping 22.1% year on year to nearly £7.9bn. The number underlines the strength of M&amp;S’s multi‑channel model (stores, online, third‑party partnerships), and the benefits of consolidating Ocado Retail.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Food remained the standout performer, with sales up 7.8% to £4.5bn. This underscored the continued success of its value‑and‑quality strategy and three years of consecutive monthly volume growth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The International division also contributed positively, with operating profit up 24.3% to £13.3m, illustrating the gains from its commercial reset.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Together, these drivers point to a business with clear momentum as systems reset following the cyber incident and new investment pays off.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-04-07" data-end-date="2026-04-07" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-real-value-of-the-shares"><strong>What’s the real value of the shares?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With that operational momentum in place, the next question is what all this progress means for the stock’s valuation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/discounted-cash-flow-dcf/">Discounted cash flow</a> analysis allows investors to identify where any share should trade by projecting future cash flows and ‘discounting’ them back to today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some analysts’ DCF modelling is more conservative than mine, due to the data used. However, based on my DCF assumptions (including a 7.5% discount rate), M&amp;S shares are 58% undervalued at their current £3.52 price.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This implies a fair value for the shares of around £8.38 &#8212; more than double where they trade today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So that gap suggests a potentially superb buying opportunity to consider today <span style="text-decoration: underline">if</span> those DCF assumptions prove accurate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-investment-view"><strong>My investment view</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With earnings momentum building and the price-to-valuation gap still wide, I see M&amp;S as a compelling opportunity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The combination of strong Food performance, improving group profitability, and the long‑term benefits of Ocado Retail makes me optimistic about the earnings trajectory.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On that basis, I will be buying more shares soon, and I think they are worth the attention of other investors too. I also have my eye on other deeply discounted, high-growth stocks&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/07/marks-and-spencers-share-price-is-down-16-to-below-4-is-now-the-time-for-me-to-buy-the-dip-with-an-eye-to-8/">Marks and Spencer’s share price is down 16% to below £4! Is now the time for me to buy the dip with an eye to £8+?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Why the Marks &#038; Spencer share price fell 12% in March</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/01/why-the-marks-spencer-share-price-fell-12-in-march/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:50:31 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Smith]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing For Beginners]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1667895</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Jon Smith points out why the Marks &#38; Spencer share price underperformed last month, and explains why the outlook is murky right now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/01/why-the-marks-spencer-share-price-fell-12-in-march/">Why the Marks &amp; Spencer share price fell 12% in March</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One <strong>FTSE 100</strong> stock that underperformed heavily last month was <strong>Marks &amp; Spencer</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE:MKS</a>). The stock fell by 12%, putting it close to 52-week lows as we hit April. Here&#8217;s why the Marks &amp; Spencer share price fell so heavily, and where I think it goes from here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-sentiment">Shift in sentiment</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The main driver behind the move lower was a change in sentiment following the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. Marks &amp; Spencer does have some exposure to the region via a partnership with the Al-Futtaim Group. But the bigger concern is the indirect impact from knock-on effects. The high-street retailer is a bellwether for the UK consumer, and that wasn&#8217;t something to shout about during March.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Investors are increasingly cautious about the UK consumer, with sticky inflation, higher interest rates, and pressure on disposable income all raising questions about how resilient spending will be through 2026. Let&#8217;s take inflation as an example. The rise in energy prices has led the OECD to publish a report last week, expecting UK inflation to hit 4% by the end of the year. If this happens, it would put pressure on Marks &amp; Spencer&#8217;s profit margins. If they choose to raise prices, it could see lower demand.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Regarding interest rates, the Bank of England&#8217;s committee might be forced to raise the base rate later this summer to counter inflationary concerns. The latest <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">half-year results</a> from last year showed net debt rose by 16.7% to £2.53bn. So higher financing costs would negatively impact the company (and financial results).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Therefore, even though the company didn&#8217;t publish any trading updates or major news during March, the drop reflects a change in investor expectations based on the ongoing impact of the war abroad. <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/foolish-investing-taking-the-long-term-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long-term investors</a> still need to be mindful of such short-term moves.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-view-from-here">The view from here</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Although I don&#8217;t want to sound like I&#8217;m sitting on the fence, a large part of the direction from here does depend on how quickly things can de-escalate in the Middle East. If we get a resolution in the coming weeks, it could significantly reduce the pass-through impact on inflation. The lower impact here could then mean interest rates don&#8217;t rise, in turn boosting consumer confidence in spending activity at Marks &amp; Spencer later this year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, even if the conflict keeps going, the company could find some insulation from the increasingly diversified product offering. The food division continues to deliver strong growth and premium positioning.  The clothing and home segment (once a persistent underperformer) has shown sustained improvement in both style and profitability. We haven&#8217;t even spoken about the various partnerships in place, which could further act to buffer any revenue hit from other areas. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In terms of risks (aside from the war), competition remains fierce. This is particularly true for the clothing and grocery divisions. Yet even with this, I think it commands a much better position in the market than in years past.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The stock is down 5% over the past year. Although I&#8217;m cautious about the immediate outlook, I think investors could consider allocating a small amount of funds as a starter position in the stock, and then pound-cost-average over the coming months.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/01/why-the-marks-spencer-share-price-fell-12-in-march/">Why the Marks &amp; Spencer share price fell 12% in March</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>3 shares to consider buying as the FTSE 100 plummets</title>
                <link>https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/03/20/3-shares-to-consider-buying-as-the-ftse-100-plummets/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:51:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward Sheldon, CFA]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1663749</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>For those with cash on the sidelines and a long-term horizon, an equity market slump is less of a crisis and more of a scouting mission for top shares to buy.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/03/20/3-shares-to-consider-buying-as-the-ftse-100-plummets/">3 shares to consider buying as the FTSE 100 plummets</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While the current stock market volatility clearly has some investors in a panic, others are calmly seeking out great shares to buy. This latter group of investors understands that periods of intense market volatility can create <span style="text-decoration: underline">lucrative investment opportunities</span> that don’t come around very often.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking for opportunities in the UK market today? Here are three stocks that could be worth a closer look.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-dividends-on-offer">Big dividends on offer</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">UK investors love big dividends so let’s start with a stock sporting a high yield, <strong>Aviva</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-av/">LSE: AV.</a>). It’s a well-established insurance and investment company.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its share price has recently fallen to around 620p, versus 700p earlier in the year. At the current share price, the stock is trading on a forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 11 and offering a 6.4% <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/">dividend yield</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This company has been performing well recently. Last year, for example, group adjusted profit was £2.2bn, up from £1.8bn in 2024.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On the back of this performance, the insurer hiked its dividend by 10% (signalling that management is confident about the future). It also announced a £350m share buyback.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Aviva Plc - Ordinary Shares Price" data-ticker="LSE:AV." data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s worth noting that if the stock market keeps falling, Aviva’s wealth management revenues are going to take a hit.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Taking a five-year view though (our preferred time horizon here at <em>The Motley Fool</em>), I think Aviva shares should provide attractive returns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-oversold-name">An oversold name</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Next we have <strong>Marks &amp; Spencer </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-mks/">LSE: MKS</a>). I see this retail stock as more of an oversold name that could rebound.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s currently trading near 340p. Back in late February, it was near 410p.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now, when I talk about this stock being ‘oversold’, I’m not just saying it because the share price has tanked. I’m actually referring to a technical indicator known as the <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/investment-glossary/what-is-the-relative-strength-index-rsi-indicator/">Relative Strength Index</a> (RSI).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This measures the magnitude of share price movements. With this indicator, a reading under 30 signals that a stock is oversold and Marks and Spencer currently has a reading of 29.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Marks &amp; Spencer Group Price" data-ticker="LSE:MKS" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’ll point out that the spike in oil prices is a risk for this company. It could lead to higher transportation and energy costs and also potentially impact consumer demand.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One thing that this company has going for it, however, is that its customer base is a little more affluent. This could shelter it from a consumer slowdown.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cheap-ai-stock">A cheap AI stock</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My third stock is a little racier. It’s <strong>Volex</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-vlx/">LSE: VLX</a>), a UK-based manufacturer of power cords, cables, and data connectivity products for ‘mission critical’ applications.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It&#8217;s currently trading for about 428p. This time last month, its share price was near 500p.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This company has momentum at the moment, thanks to its strategy of focusing on high-growth markets such as data centres (AI) and electric vehicles. In January, it said that revenue for the first nine months of its financial year was up 15% year on year and that full-year revenue would be ahead of expectations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Volex Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:VLX" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>
</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, manufacturing tends to be cyclical. So, if we see an economic collapse as a result of high oil prices, this stock could underperform.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With the price-to-earnings ratio now under 15, however, I like the risk/reward set-up. I think it’s worthy of further research.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/03/20/3-shares-to-consider-buying-as-the-ftse-100-plummets/">3 shares to consider buying as the FTSE 100 plummets</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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