CITY WHISPERS: Next will survive storm heading for high streets

Demand in clothing shops has proved surprisingly resilient over recent weeks, retail sources tell Whispers. That’s despite the chaos all around. 

But there are signs of pain. Chief executives have remarked that online sales have weakened more dramatically than anticipated this autumn. 

Are punters finally weaning themselves off their trigger-happy addiction to online shopping? 

A good sign: Tony Shiret, a veteran retail analyst at stockbroker Panmure Gordon, has his eyes on Next, upgrading it last week from hold to a buy

Undoubtedly, the impact of higher prices, energy bills and mortgages hasn’t yet fully hit stores. That is likely to change soon. But winners emerge from every downturn. 

Tony Shiret, a veteran retail analyst at stockbroker Panmure Gordon, has his eyes on Next, upgrading it last week from hold to a buy as the shares dropped nearly a fifth in a month. 

He said: ‘We expect Next to be able to manage its way through the downturn in demand we are likely to witness soon. Its medium-term prospects are not properly recognised in our view.’

Moonpig shares being weighed down 

Moonpig’s shares have been ‘pretty anaemic’, points out stockbroker Davy. 

They floated early last year at £3.50 and now trade at £1.28, having fallen 31 per cent in the past month alone. 

They are being weighed down by fears that its recent acquisition of Buyagift, which sells ‘experiences’ such as spa days and posh afternoon teas, may not perform that well in a downturn. 

Despite this, Davy suggests it’s the ‘highest quality business’ among the IPO class of 2021. 

And Moonpig has raised its guidance five times since floating. 

One to keep an eye on. 

Second-largest shareholder backing UKCM

UK Commercial Property Reit (UKCM) can take comfort knowing its second-largest shareholder will back this week’s resolution calling for the company to continue operating. 

Investec Wealth & Investment holds 11 per cent and believes shares in the FTSE 250 firm, which has a £1.7billion portfolio, are ‘oversold’. 

That will boost UKCM after the group earlier this month revealed the meeting would be held to decide its future. 

The vote is triggered whenever its share price falls below its net asset value for at least 90 days. 

UKCM shares have fallen around 21 per cent this year. 

The trust has ‘unanimously’ called on its investors to back the resolution. 

Its largest investor, insurer Phoenix Group, has already pledged its support. 

Could Vin Murria land knockout punch at Saatchi?  

M&C Saatchi appears to have fended off the advances of both Vin Murria and communications firm Next Fifteen, as the latter bowed out this week. 

M&C’s Moray MacLennan is bullish on the ad agency’s prospects as a standalone firm. 

But investors may be bracing for Murria’s next move. 

The tech supremo, who owns a large slice of M&C, has made no secret of her opposition to the status quo. 

The stock has fallen more than a third since the bid saga began. 

Sources believe M&C may not have heard Murria’s last. Perhaps MacLennan may yet regret drubbing Murria’s offer by using an image of a boxer with ‘Low Price’ and ‘High Risk’ emblazoned on his outsized gloves.

Could she still land a knockout punch? 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk