Frankers70
01 Apr 2015
Advertisng I've you like a gamble then you can probably relate to the 5 lads advert. If you don't then you won't. If you don't you're not Ladbrokes market anyway. Advertising aside, I'm more Interested in Jim Mullen putting out a decent statement on strategy and how he's the man to take things forward. I read a great strategic report from Kingfisher yesterday that basically said how the French were going to turn around B & Q. Admittedly it meant 60 store closures in the UK but at least the market took heart that they knew what they were doing. Whilst we all bite our nails over the recent appointment, the share price sails in one direction only and aren't one direction 0.75 of what they used to be???
Punilux
01 Apr 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT I've never been accused of being above anything - Thanks.The five real people on whom Ladbrokes' humour is based are:1) " Why has he got the horse at the back ? You cheating b'stardd. Hughes is a crook. It's too late now. What a criminal. Come on COME ON COME ON! I told you he was going to win! I bet they take hours paying out my winnings. They took my One Pound bet quick enough. They're all bent."2) "Why aren't you giving me my money back? You kept saying Non-Runner, No Bet. Look at the result. It wasn't in the first three. I'm going to call my solicitor." (From Paddy Power, Upper Holloway during Cheltenham this year)3) "You know that Rebecca Curtis, she's a crook. She got Shergar, got him trained by Martin Pipe and then entered him in a national hunt flat race under a different name"4) "It's got to win. Look at the form. 223334444."5) "Lend me five pounds to put on a horse. If it wins I'll give you your money back. You can't lose"This is the reason people watch At The Races in their local pub whilst gambling using Betfair.
john222
01 Apr 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT re the advert whilst most watching will consider themselves as you infer to be 'above' the campaign there is still something quintessentially traditional about 5 lads having slightly different views but ultimately coming together to bet at one outlet and spending half the day together.......its quite British and I think it hits the spot personally so a tick in the box for their marketing team but go and sit in the corner the rest of them!!!!!!!!HAHA!
Punilux
01 Apr 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT Any chance of explaining why you like the "five lads" advertising campaign?I am a novice when it comes to marketing, but I am having to learn quickly for my small business. Clearly it must work if you like it, but, to me it appears to me witless, soulless, moronic drivel! I keep being told to never underestimate the intelligence of a target audience but Ladbroke appear to have very low expectations.
john222
31 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? The new man should probably take a harder line due to EPS pressure.......cancel divi use cash savings for serious technology advances and also useful online bolt on acquisitions.....I think a company that takes those steps rather than tinkering is then worth an investment its a good brand but very poorly run by Glynn.The new advertising campaign with the five lads is quite good and on the right lines too.
wuffet
31 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? HiI agree!!
Punilux
31 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? Although I am in a tiny minority, I normally support reducing dividends. Using WMH as an example, they are spending large sums on technological developments in London whilst stating that the present political climate makes acquisitions more likely. On top of this they have serious, and expensive plans, for the US which has been a graveyard for many European companies. In five years time I would like to see a company with a SP up about 33% rather than one with higher turnover but proportionally increased debt or needing another rights issue. I know that there are many examples which people can use to demonstrate that I am wrong (AZK, Glaxo etc.) but in many cases a high dividend can be perceived as being an alternative to excellent management.Even so, dividend reductions are normally stage managed - If I remember correctly brokers were advised that Tesco might reduce theirs by a third so when it went down by "only" 25% the SP, which had already plummeted, recovered a tiny bit.
wuffet
31 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? Hi Punilux, The dividend is paid in cash, check the cash-flow statement for the amount, so if they halve the dividend they will halve the cash amount spent on it. Other things being equal this will reduce the level of debt. the way cutting the dividend does not always lead to a share price fall !! I think it was Tesco or Morrisons that said they would cut the divi and the share price rose, it can happen when investors respond to a new more sensible strategy by the company, one of the spin off benefits being maybe a willingness to get debt down and improve cash-flow.good luck
Frankers70
30 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? The dividend is at 8%+ simply because the share price has halved over a 2 year period whilst dividend payments have held steady. If Ladbrokes can increase traffic to and then through their website whilst reducing non profit making stores then couldn't this be a turn around story? If so, the share price could rebound and £2 wouldn't be unrealistic would it? Then, there's your 4% dividend payment without cutting the dividend. That would be my stance if I were on the board.
Punilux
30 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? If EPS is 4.4p and div is 8.9p then surely halving the dividend would involve increasing the level of debt rather than reducing it ?
Kool Keith
30 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? As a long term holder, I wouldn't jump ship if he reduced the Div 50% which still gives around 4.3% which is enough in the current market don't you think? PROVIDING he uses the cash for something useful.....reduce the level of debt maybe?
john222
30 Mar 2015
Re: DIVIDEND CUT >? they haven't seriously been paying out at 8.5% have they is that correct??!?!!! I cant do mental emoticon on here but if I could there would be 10 of them! Crazy new man will halve the divi it should only be 4% ANYWAY!!!!!!!! ps im not a doommonger on these boards and don't short but this is going to get hammered soon.New guy clears the decks, wait for the deck clearing to begin before averaging down!!!!222
CASTLEFORD TIGER
30 Mar 2015
DIVIDEND CUT >? Must be first thing he does.I am a holder by the way.tiger
dandigirl
27 Mar 2015
Re: i feel Well I gather insiders are happy with the new CEO although outsiders are suggesting he more of the same.He has a digital background and I understand his efforts are starting to be rewarded.Anyway having bought in the mid-120s I bought some more today if only to average down.I am hopeful that the new CEO will make a difference for oblivion beckons for LAD should there be no change of direction. He must be better than his predecessor. Nobody can be that bad can they? [Famous last words!].
Kool Keith
27 Mar 2015
Re: i feel I don't often comment on here. But as both a shareholder of ladrokes and as an online customer, Ladbrokes are good for taking bets which has also got to be said of W.Hills ( I am not a shareholder of WHILL).PaddyPower, B365, SkyBet, Betvictor don't like taking bets! unless it's £2.50 each way! I hardly see this type of punter as Ladbrokes core market.The main thing that Ladbrokes (online) could/should change for the punter is to offer B.O.G. the night before like others and not wait till the morning of the race.As the 1000's of high-street shops they don't pay the same amount of B.Rates as other 'shops' have too so high street presence isn't too bad. While not been a bookies for some years I'm sure there's still many a man that gets dragged down the shops with the Mrs and sneaks off for a pint and a bet.Happy to holdRocky Creek for the nationa
