Bill1703
10 Jan 2018
2018 M&A opportunities According to Peel Hunt, in a through review of the same - Merlin is highlighted - see below for the relevant summary:FWIW I remain unconvinced of any move, at least at this stage, given the extant PE stake, ongoing capital intensity and the fact that the valuation - while now less elevated - hardly screams cheap. But not something ever to rule out..."We have been surprised by the de-rating of Merlin. The impact of terrorism on demand in the key UK markets has been material but we expect a steady recovery consistent with improvements in other markets after demand shocks. The Group has an established pipeline of development opportunities, which will increase the geographical diversification of the business and is a clear beneficiary of the trend for increased tourism. Demand for Lego toys softened notably in 2017 after several years of remarkable growth, and this had an effect on retail sales. We expect the new Lego movie to revive interest in the product and for demand for the child-friendly theme parks to remain robust. This is a highly cash-generative global business and we expect it to attract bid interest at the current level."
Radaking
10 Jan 2018
Re: New ride City Ranger maybe you could be the 1st to try it out?
City Ranger
09 Jan 2018
New ride Alton Towers new rollercoaster announced. Themed on The Wickerman horror film they have decided to build it out of wood and add fire to the mix.
Hardboy
03 Jan 2018
Eadwig Is conspicuous by his absence of late. I hope he's not on the Marie Celeste with L K Hyman.
City Ranger
03 Jan 2018
Shares down on bank review of future earnings Deutsche Bank have lowered its forecasts for Merlin today based on consumer spending concerns, bad weather and currency exposure. Projections for both 2018 and 2019 have been cut by 1.7 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively. The share price has dipped in response.
soi
04 Dec 2017
MERL chat & technical price analysis HiI took another look at this over the week end.2 things I`m not over keen on,fairly large debt figure, although understandable with a company determined to expand.Divi yield mean, again though can be the case with growth orientated companies.I`ve been unable to find what interest rates they are paying on their loans anyone know pls. ?I do like that 3 of the directors have a fair bit of skin in the game.I hope they expand further in to Asia, that remains a growth area. IMOTo price now.At a 1 year low and the sp below the 10/20/100 day moving averages.Many TA players would regard that as very negative, I`m somewhat contrarian though and do sometimes like to go long on a 1 year low.Support level appears to be 352 ( very close to that as at Friday`s close ) then 337.Resistance levels at 368/383/426/440.The latter 2 will seem high of course.Support and Resistance levels are not predictions though.I`m inexperienced trading this, thought I had done more but just 6 trades so far, 5 wins, 1 loss.Happy enough with that on something new.Nothing in now but have re entering to the long side in mind.I do not think it has viability as a short but some probably think otherwise.I can see the merit/reasoning behind long term buy.If patient.ATB & GLsoi
City Ranger
01 Dec 2017
Re: FTSE100 exit I'm in agreement with most people tracking this share in that it has great potential. Having recently been over £5 it has not become a bad company overnight. However, I think the senior management has become slightly stale and would benefit from some new blood. Big Little City and Shreks Adventure are recent concepts that appear to be mistakes as is the stake taken in Big Bus Tours. Returning to focus on core strengths by building more accommodation, promoting short breaks and securing an excellent new link-up with the Peppa Pig brand proves Merlin has far from lost its mojo. I'm hopeful that in the not too distant future I'll be posting with a BUY rating but they need to fix some core problems which the current slump has exposed.
Eadwig
01 Dec 2017
Re: FTSE100 exit MERL has been demoted from the FTSE 100. No real surprise, although it did affect the share price quite a bit, surprisingly. I guess some trackers can only act once it is official - and may still be divesting themselves of stock for a week or two yet.I hope you managed to SELL, City Ranger. Excellent move if you did, with a re-buy once it is clear where the move will leave the price. At £3.6Bn market cap and automatic re-entry around £5.3Bn its quite a long way back for MERL.On the other hand, those tracking funds that actually physically hold stock may well also have FTSE 250 trackers (or medium cap UK growth or whatever) so its hard to predict the fallout. Those of us who haven't sold may as well hold for now. At some point between now and mid December, MERL will become a weak buy...I must admit, I once again failed to take an index move into account. I should have waited until now for my most recent buy I may go again if the price draws near @342p (5% down on my last buy detailed below).The lower price is an opportunity from my point of view as I have always had a 5-10 year view of this stock and only bought my first tranche 12 months ago. On the other hand, I consider a full position as 4 tranches and I already hold 5, so it would be something of a risk to take on a sixth with a small dividend and the market headwinds (terrorist activities in the main) that caused the problems are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.The other side of the coin is that those media companies taking a long term view of the sector must be aware that MERL priced in GB pounds is currently at a bargain price in terms of adding to their entertainment empires, with only Disney likely to encounter any regulatory issues. Even then it would almost certainly go through as Disney are mostly in the USA in terms of physical attractions and that is the one place where there are other extensive entertainment brands within that home market.I shall be watching carefully and making a decision on going a 6th tranche between now and Santa rally time which starts around mid December, but I also believe there will be a market correction at some point which will drag MERL down (along with everything else). I wouldn't want to be caught with 6 tranches on hand during that buying opportunity.Ultimately my aim remains to have a full holding of MERL (4 tranches) at a price with an average as far below @400p as I can make it with trading around the position.Good luck all. Eadwig
Ripley94
30 Nov 2017
Re: limit lifted. Topped up @ 353p
Radaking
29 Nov 2017
Re: FTSE100 exit Sheep and pigs get walloped , not peppa' buy note
City Ranger
29 Nov 2017
FTSE100 exit Merlin are being tipped to fall out of the FTSE 100 index as part of the quarterly index review. Confirmation one way or the other is expected after market close today (changes would be effective from December 18th). If they do exit, this would put further short term pressure on the share price as tracker funds amongst others sell down their holdings.
Hardboy
23 Nov 2017
Re: Added yesterday The Times Article won't add to your knowledge, Eadwig, but it seems to have had a negative effect on the market's view of Merlin & consequently the share price. Any price movement in between relevant news is an opportunity for folk like you who make an assessment on the true value of the shares. I haven't topped up yet - been too busy taking advantage of other oversold shares (Ultra, Dignity) & trying to work out any opportunities thrown up by the budget (who will be getting the work from the Electric Vehicle Charging network fund?) - but if it continues to drop I may just have to.Are you still in Empiric? (I'm so glad I sold when I did.)
Eadwig
23 Nov 2017
Added yesterday @361p, which is a function of my last BUY @378p (approx 5% down on that price) and my ambition to get my holding average down to @400p on 4 tranches for the long term. Average is now @399p, but on 5 tranches, unfortunately.Haven't read the Times article. Will try to if I can find the time, but I doubt they'll be adding to my knowledge specifically. Always good to know what such media is saying though, it all feeds into the general sentiment.Chart is looking pretty dismal, innit? Buying now at what I was guessing might be the new low support is a risky one, I'm the first to admit it.Eadwig
Radaking
20 Nov 2017
Re: Sunday Times Well I cannot read the article,cause its not where you posted it and 2 words to the Sunday TimesPeppa Pig[link]
City Ranger
20 Nov 2017
Sunday Times Digitallook have a good summary of the Sunday Times article on Merlin from this weekend. Shares rated as 'avoid' with an interesting point made on high debt levels.[link]
