John Doe Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 National Grid gets a right up here. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business...rs-1763383.html Always liked them. Had Lattice years ago, boring, but solid. Have used them in my isa like cash when markets look toppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Always liked them. Had Lattice years ago, boring, but solid. Have used them in my isa like cash when markets look toppy. They do have £23billion of debt according to the article, so need to keep an eye on that in these markets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 They do have £23billion of debt according to the article, so need to keep an eye on that in these markets. True, but well thought out, fundable borrowing for long term investment purposes with stable income streams, capable of easily servicing the debt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviathan Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Anybody have any views on Labrokes? Results due early August, low P/E around 7 dividend also around 7%. Debt a bit high but still looks like a profitable business with little risk on these multiples. Anyone have a view based on Technical Analysis or fundamentals. Aso looking at William Hill which seems to have similar fundamentals but better broker sentiment Lev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Anybody have any views on Labrokes? Results due early August, low P/E around 7 dividend also around 7%. Debt a bit high but still looks like a profitable business with little risk on these multiples. Anyone have a view based on Technical Analysis or fundamentals. Aso looking at William Hill which seems to have similar fundamentals but better broker sentiment Lev I mention these on the gambling thread as I think they both offer good value provided they stay on the right side of their debt burden. From what I've read recently, they are doing the right things now and they have made some big money recently, WHill made a million when Cink won the open recently for instance. However, despite this they are both unloved by the market right now and have lost value during the recent rally, when lesser companies have rocketed. The fact that even in time of recession people (mainly men) are not going to stop gambling seems to have been forgotten by the market, which is ironic really considering that on a day to day basis the stock market itself is little more than gambling den but there you go. I like them and think that in time the market will fall in love with them again and they will take off. http://www.greenenergyinvestors.com/index....mp;#entry118787 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 According to Digital Look Ladbrokes P/E 4.8 Dividend Yield 8.32% William Hill 5.6 and 3.3% I think the low dividend for William Hill can be explained by the decision not to pay the most recent dividend and the rights issue to pay off debt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Anybody have any views on Labrokes? Bit of a gamble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Bit of a gamble I think they are a good bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I think they are a good bet. Maybe worth a punt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littledavesab Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I mention these on the gambling thread as I think they both offer good value provided they stay on the right side of their debt burden. From what I've read recently, they are doing the right things now and they have made some big money recently, WHill made a million when Cink won the open recently for instance. However, despite this they are both unloved by the market right now and have lost value during the recent rally, when lesser companies have rocketed. The fact that even in time of recession people (mainly men) are not going to stop gambling seems to have been forgotten by the market, which is ironic really considering that on a day to day basis the stock market itself is little more than gambling den but there you go. I like them and think that in time the market will fall in love with them again and they will take off. http://www.greenenergyinvestors.com/index....mp;#entry118787 I think the development of the internet is also a major plus for bookies. They are gaining in terms of ladies are now gambling online (but are too ladylike to enter an actual betting shop) and also the development of online poker etc which both Ladbrokes & WH are into http://poker.ladbrokes.com/en http://www.williamhillpoker.com/ If the trend is more to staying in at home then sites like this might benefit. Has benefited BskyB apparently also http://www.ladyluckonline.co.uk/pokerrooms.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziknik Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbys...s-dividend.html Shell may freeze its dividend … The traditionally reliable dividend of Royal Dutch Shell may be frozen this year after the oil giant revealed an aggressive cost-cutting drive amid slumping profits. … Analysts said that the safety of the dividend is likely to depend on how successfully Shell's savings can bring down costs, while demand for oil is still low. … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbys...s-dividend.html That's big news if it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Freezing it isn't reducing it, so still a good div. I found this comment interesting, "Simon Henry, finance director of Shell, said that in the likely event of deflation the company would consider freezing its dividend, which was increased by 5pc to 42 cents for the second quarter. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviathan Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Have bought both Ladbrokes and William Hill today. Looking for some cheer in the forthcoming Ladbrokes results. Either way the p/e's seem to suggest the price is worth paying and had potential to surprise on the upside. Lad has good divs, and W Hill could have momentum around moving activities offshore. Lets see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 From what I can piece together (and I am no expert), Ladbrokes has large debt and with the rise of the internet betting companies, a lot of competition with low costs. They may be OK for a quick in and out, but I personally wouldn't want to hold them for long term. Of course, that said they will probably fly now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Have bought both Ladbrokes and William Hill today. Looking for some cheer in the forthcoming Ladbrokes results. Either way the p/e's seem to suggest the price is worth paying and had potential to surprise on the upside. Lad has good divs, and W Hill could have momentum around moving activities offshore. Lets see I hope you didn't have too much on them or that you have stops, it can always be a little hit and miss to invest in companies just prior to a results announcement. As I indicated above, both of these companies appear to be unloved at the moment and it would appear the market has decided to hit both today on the back of WHill's announcement, which is a little hard on Ladbrokes if they come out with a better statement. As usual, the reaction could be overdone and considering that neither Lad or WHill went up during the latest bull run, it seems a little unfair for the price to go down now the general market may be due for a correction, but that is the irrationality of markets for you. One other thing, I'm not sure that either of these companies right now are the best to be looking for from the point of view of a pure dividend payer. Both look value recovery plays to me which in time may produce a more than solid dividend. Right now, I think they are concentrating on getting their debt book in order and that could take a year or two at least before the market is fully satisfied. I think the news today from WHill will be good for them long term, but the market has decided to ignore it. William Hill moves online betting offshore William Hill confirmed today that it will move its online betting business offshore in a bid to save the bookmaker millions of pounds in tax ======================== William Hill said it paid a total £300 million in tax to the UK Government last year. The group's betting shop operation will remain in the UK, while approximately 75 employees have already relocated to Gibraltar. The Treasury could lose an estimated £50 million in duty if Ladbrokes and Coral, the UK's other two biggest bookmakers, were to follow William Hill's move. In a statement, Gala Coral Group, the owner of Coral, said: "At present we have no intention to take our sportsbooks offshore. However, UK-based operators are clearly in a disadvantaged position and we will continue to monitor the situation closely and in particular any moves by HM Revenue & Customs to create a more level playing field." Ladbrokes could make a statement about a possible move on Thursday, when it reports its half-year results, although its plans are at a less advanced stage to those of William Hill. Ralph Topping, chief executive of William Hill, said that while the UK's punitive tax regime had been a factor in its decision, the consolidation of the group's online activities in Gibraltar was also a sign of its international ambitions. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle6738263.ece Wm Hill will miss retail profit target Bookmaker William Hill said net revenue gained 5%, while EBITA was down 7% in the half-year to end-June. The group cautioned that full-year retail profits are expected to be lower than previously forecast. Dividend was reintroduced at 2.5p per share. Operating profit (post exceptional items) was £124.2m, down 13% from £142.6m the prior year, with adjusted basic earnings per share down 28% at 11.9p. Ralph Topping, CEO, commented: 'We have delivered a solid trading performance in the first half, in spite of the tough economic environment and a mixed set of sporting results. However, in July the performance was affected by weakness in horseracing margins and quieter trading on Saturdays and Sundays outside the football season. 'The extensive integration process for William Hill Online is making good progress and we are starting to see the benefits of the expanded business coming through. I am especially pleased with the number of new online customers we have attracted during the first half. 'The economic environment remains tough and makes it difficult to predict any clear trends. Whilst we have shown resilience in the first half, as we look to the balance of the year we are cognisant of rising unemployment and constraints on consumer spending generally, as well as a weaker horseracing product. 'As a consequence of the first half performance, the difficult July and the uncertain economic environment, we anticipate that our profits for the full year from the retail channel are likely to be lower than previously expected. However, we remain comfortable with the market consensus for William Hill Online and look forward to the return of the football trade when the season starts again in mid-August. 'A number of strategic initiatives also ensure we are better positioned to respond to the challenges we face. We have a strengthened balance sheet; have withdrawn from our international retail operations in Italy and are in the process of withdrawing from Spain; have a strong platform to continue to grow our online business; are well placed to benefit from the imminent transfer of Sportsbook and fixed-odds games to Gibraltar; and continue to have a highly competitive position in gaming machines.' http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=3656299 From what I can piece together (and I am no expert), Ladbrokes has large debt and with the rise of the internet betting companies, a lot of competition with low costs. They may be OK for a quick in and out, but I personally wouldn't want to hold them for long term. Of course, that said they will probably fly now Both Ladbrokes and WHill have quite a bit of debt which they were encouraged to take on by the banks to expand during the good years. Now the banks, should we be surprised, have stabbed them in the back by making it difficult for them to finance it. Unlike the banks however, William Hill and Ladbrokes won't get a bail out from the Government to help keep their share price up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 I didn’t think it possible, but after hearing John Varley last night, my opinion of bankers has deteriorated further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 I didn’t think it possible, but after hearing John Varley last night, my opinion of bankers has deteriorated further. Lenin and Marx would be turning in their graves. If this doesn't get the masses out with revolutionary zeal nothing will. Still, wouldn't want to miss time with the x-box, i-phone, Wii and internet would we, the banksters matrix lives on..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Lenin and Marx would be turning in their graves. If this doesn't get the masses out with revolutionary zeal nothing will. Still, wouldn't want to miss time with the x-box, i-phone, Wii and internet would we, the banksters matrix lives on..... I just can't help feeling we have just witnessed the greatest financial rip-off in human history, and no-one seems to notice, or indeed care ! (GEI and HPC members excluded of course) I hope I am wrong, or my apathy might reach dangerous levels where all I will be capable of doing is borrowing lots of money then running away to a tropical island (with a lifetime supply of good food and wine). Wait a minute, that actually doesn’t sound too bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziknik Posted August 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Freezing it isn't reducing it, so still a good div. ... Good point. I’d misunderstood the article. I though Shell were going to stop paying Dividends altogether I didn’t think it possible, but after hearing John Varley last night, my opinion of bankers has deteriorated further. I saw him on yesterdays Channel4 News (link below). John Varley is clearly very intelligent and he seems honest. He’s done a number of good interviews for Channel4 News. I quite like watching him. Scroll forward to 6:30 http://link.brightcove.com/services/player...tid=31663412001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviathan Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Small stakes no stops - very uncomfortable with stops on FTSE 250 stocks where the market makers can manipulate price - witness PVCS. Think the market has oversold Lad and W Hill - but fearful for the rest of the week could be more down than up in the short term. W Hill results really were not that bad given the multiple they are on - think the market will recognise this by the autumn Lev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEBIGMAN Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Topped up on UU and GSK on Friday. Sold out of BT at 124p (realising a 34% gain, woohoo) upon re-appraising their horrible, horrible debt position - I can't understand the current rally. GSK looks like excellent value to me and I like the cut of the CEOs (Andrew Witty) jib. Contracts to produce muti-million doses of their Relenza anti-viral in the light of swine 'flu provide a bit of cheer. UU looks oversold to me in the light of OFWAT regulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No6 Posted August 6, 2009 Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 Small stakes no stops - very uncomfortable with stops on FTSE 250 stocks where the market makers can manipulate price - witness PVCS. Think the market has oversold Lad and W Hill - but fearful for the rest of the week could be more down than up in the short term. W Hill results really were not that bad given the multiple they are on - think the market will recognise this by the autumn Lev Ladbrookes got treated a little better today after their results, which are not that bad all things considered. However, as I mentioned before, dividend paying is not their priority right now. Note - high rollers profit is up - these are the city slicker types and we know that bonus time is back. Bookmaker Ladbrokes said today pretax profit was down 3.9% to £131.3m in the first half-year. The firm said it plans to relocate online operations to Gibraltar. Group net revenue was down 6.6% to £504.4m (H1 2008: £539.8m). Group operating profit fell 25.6% to £98.6m (H1 2008: £132.6m). High Rollers operating profit increased to £58.4m (H1 2008: £40m). Interest was down to £25.7m with a blended interest rate of 5.5%, while the effective tax rate was down to 15% in first half and projected at 15% for full year. Earnings per share was up 0.5% to 18.6p (H1 2008: 18.5p). Cash generated by operations was £140m and group net debt decreased to £962m. Interim dividend was set at 3.5p, a reduction of 31%. UK Retail full year cost guidance has been reduced from a 4% increase to 1%. Christopher Bell, CEO, commented: 'Since we updated the market in mid-May, the deterioration in staking levels has been partially mitigated by lower costs. Our priorities are to continue to vigorously reduce costs, drive revenues and thereby improve profitability. 'In the period from 1 July to 4 August Group net revenue (excluding High Rollers) fell by 11.3%. The fall in UK OTC amount staked of 8.0% was in line with our latest expectations but net revenue was adversely impacted by a weak margin. The economic and trading environment remains challenging and continuing uncertainty makes forecasting difficult. Given the revised cost guidance for UK Retail and phasing of marketing costs in the eGaming business, the Group still aims to meet its full year expectations. 'The Board has decided that it would be appropriate to pay a reduced dividend of 3.5p given the results to date and the current uncertain outlook. The full year dividend will be decided at the time of the final results in February, taking into account all the circumstances at the time.' http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=3657801 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziknik Posted August 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 Topped up on UU and GSK on Friday. Sold out of BT at 124p (realising a 34% gain, woohoo) upon re-appraising their horrible, horrible debt position - I can't understand the current rally. GSK looks like excellent value to me and I like the cut of the CEOs (Andrew Witty) jib. Contracts to produce muti-million doses of their Relenza anti-viral in the light of swine 'flu provide a bit of cheer. UU looks oversold to me in the light of OFWAT regulation. SVT took a kicking again today. I will top up at the end of this month baring any significant changes in the price. I have GSK too. I got some dividend payments last week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziknik Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/persona...-dividends.html Five stocks for dividends … United Utilities 438p, paying 7.5 per cent … BP 509p, paying 6.4 per cent … Vodafone 127p, paying 6.1 per cent … GlaxoSmithKline £11.66, paying 4.9 per cent … BAE Systems 320p, paying 4.5 per cent … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.