Carlsberg, YUM, Pernod, CCL, interest rates, foodservice prices & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

The dog caught, despatched and ate a squirrel yesterday, more or less in that order.

A grey one, thankfully, but that proves, if proof were needed, that the downside for one of the players in her little ‘game’ with the furry vermin, is considerably greater than it is for the other party.

Still, that’s what happened.

The dog clearly sees squirrels as friends, playmates and lunch depending on the state of her digestion and did she share any of her meal with us?

Not on your Nelly, rather she padded around for a while and wouldn’t let anyone near her.

She swaggered and smirked unattractively and then disappeared only to reappear and demand to be let in some time into the warmth later replete and with her breath smelling distinctly of squirrel.

Anyway, that’s one less of the critters to raid the birdfeeders over the winter. Have a great weekend and let’s move on to the news:

LANGTON EMAIL:

The Free Email is now written in short form. Extended versions of many stories (after the ellipses) are in the Premium Email. Reply to this email if you would like to upgrade.

Prices for the Premium are £395 for one subscription, £695 for multiple, £995 for very large subscribers, all plus VAT. Or sign up for easy in, easy out monthly option per subscriber HERE

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=87YUG2Z5W7PSN

PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Interest rates:

As expected, the Bank of England’s MPC cut UK rates from 4.75% to 4.50% yesterday lunchtime. The vote was 7-2 with the dissenting members pushing for a 25bp cut…

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Foodservice prices:

The latest Foodservice Price Index (FPI) report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ has revealed that prices rose in December vs November although the year-on-year rate fell further, to 1.9%. The rise in December, of 1%, though less than the rise in December last year, was a break from the recent run of monthly reductions and is the largest monthly jump in six months…

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Fast food market:

Meaningful Vision comments on the fast food market in 2024 saying that it ‘proved to be a year of mixed fortunes…with some segments thriving, while others grappled with a variety of challenges. Meaningful Vision’s Foodservice market insights reveal a ‘dynamic marketplace shaped by rapidly evolving consumer preferences, an increasing range of economic pressures, and intensifying competition….’

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Coffee market:

Lumina Intelligence has produced an analysis of coffee spend in the UK saying that the over-65s are responsible for 27.3% of coffee occasions (up from 26.0% in 2023) with those aged 45-65 responsible for a further 37.6% of occasions (slightly down on last year’s 38.2%). Together, the relatively mature market is responsible for 64.9% or almost two thirds of all coffee-drinking occasions…

Other news:

The freehold investment interest of the Royal Arcade & O2 Academy in Boscombe, Bournemouth has been brought to market by leisure property specialist Fleurets.

COMPANY NEWS:

Carlsberg yesterday reported Q4 and full year numbers saying ‘2024 was a year of major events that will shape the future of Carlsberg.’ The company both purchased Britvic and it bought in the 40% of the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company that it did not already own. Carlsberg says ‘despite the challenging environment in some of our major markets, we achieved organic operating profit growth at the high end of our earnings guidance….’

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Yum! Brands yesterday reported Q4 and FY numbers saying that pre-exceptional Q4 EPS was up 6% at $5.48. UK KFC sales were up 5% in Q4 but down 1% on the year as a whole…

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Ahead of its scheduled H1 results, Pernod has brought forward its numbers, which disappointed the market. The company reported an organic sales decline of 4% to €61,8 billion against 12 months earlier….

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.

Compass Group shares fell 2% yesterday on what looked to be generally good results.

Loungers has reported that Glazer Capital has taken its stake in the company up from 6.2% to 12.5%. This puts Glazer in a powerful position should it decide to remain on the share register post the current take-private.

HOLIDAYS & LEISURE TRAVEL:

Carnival-owned P&O Cruises has reported its strongest ever January ‘with record-breaking sales volume across the board during the month.’ It says ‘the two most popular destinations were Norwegian fjords and Caribbean.’

Hilton has reported Q4 and FY numbers beating estimates and saying that revenue came in at $2.78 billion. Adjusted Q4 EPS was $1.76 per share compared with analysts’ average estimate of $1.68.

OTHER LEISURE:

Spotify reported FY numbers yesterday confirming that it had moved into profit. The company posted net income of €1.138 billion (versus a loss of €505 million in 2023) on revenue of €15.673 billion, up 18.3%. The group’s shares rose around 10% on the news.

Peloton yesterday reported FY numbers saying ‘we are delivering on key initiatives.’ The company is raising its FY25 adjusted EBITDA guidance by $60m to a range between $300m and $350m.

Chinese producer BYD has overtaken Tesla in the UK in terms of electric cars sold. BYD sold 1,614 passenger cars in January whilst Tesla sold just 1,458. BYD is up by 500% and Tesla is down by 8%.

Sterling down at $1.2419 and €1.1976. Oil lower at $74.68. UK 10 year gilt yield up 2 basis points at 4.46%. World markets better yesterday but mixed in the US and Far East & London set to open down around 29 points as at 6.30am.

FINANCE & MARKETS:

For the Bank of England’s rate cut, see Pubs & Restaurants above.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

• See premium. Reply for sample or to upgrade. Single £395, multiple £695. Limited time offer: PayPal alternative monthly £25 + VAT per sub. Easy in, easy out.