Analyst Views: Do Next’s results bode well for another strong performance this year?
JOHN STEVENSON | PEEL HUNT
While maintaining a cautious tone regarding economic recovery, the forward guidance from Next is significantly stronger than in recent years and leaves market expectations at the bottom end of Next’s own range. Such confidence in outlook will raise pressure on competitors Marks & Spencer and Debenhams.
KATE CALVERT | INVESTEC
A core holding – Next’s success is down to being run as a seamless multi-channel business, the pursuit of marginal gains in its offer, service and efficiency and focus on total shareholder return. However with…growth forecast to slow, we believe the valuation is up with events.
RICHARD HUNTER | HARGREAVES LANSDOWN
Double digit growth in earnings per share and another special dividend are representative of an extremely strong year… It seems that Next continues to navigate a fickle and competitive space with aplomb, even though there is the customary element of caution on immediate near term economic prospects.