Marks & Spencer set to announce difficult trading conditions
As we await the deluge of New Year trading statements from the retail sector there are concerns that Marks & Spencer will deliver a downbeat report on the Christmas and New Year period. There is also speculation that Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose would be forced to reduce the company's dividend payment to shareholders as a means of retaining liquidity within the business. In many ways this would be welcomed by investors in the short to medium term as a sensible approach to what is a unique business environment.
If Marks & Spencer is finding life on the high street tough then we can assume that many others are very much in the same boat. Analysts are slowly reducing their forecasts for the current year amid signs that imminent trading statements will not make good reading. However, the system may well receive a fillip as and when UK base rates are reduced again with many expecting this week to see the next round of reductions.
The cheaper the UK consumer is able to borrow money and finance existing debt the more money they should have for spending on the high street which should filter through at some stage.
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