views

It might be a busy day, but I still have time to spot that Hotel Chocolat shares (but not its chocolates!) remain a very clear avoid

It is another interesting day in the world’s financial markets, especially as just a few corporate names are coming up with their largest formal reports or updates or reasons to panic. We will get onto that excitement a bit later, but I was pleased to see today’s pre-close update from DS Smith (SMDS), whose shares I am a fan of as last discussed HERE.

NEWSFLOW

Hotel Chocolat (#HOTC) – expects FY ‘underlying breakeven’ on sales “slightly lower than market expectations”

views

I like chocolate, but as for Hotel Chocolat shares…

It has been a busy morning, and whilst I could easily talk about the exciting world of clay bricks at Ibstock (IBST) or the (smart in my opinion) decision by Breedon Group (BREE) to exit AIM and go to the Main Market, I am going to talk about the world of chocolate and Hotel Chocolat (HOTC).

NEWSFLOW

Hotel Chocolat (#HOTC) – H1 EPS down to 4.5p, “remain cautious about consumer sentiment”

views

Hotel Chocolat is going to need a very sweet 2023

A couple of weeks ago I concluded that “Chocolate is a sweet treat but you still cannot say the same for Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) shares” HERE. Despite a big share price fall in 2022, the then c. two quid share price, after an early January hope romp, seemed bonkers to me. It is just over 220p now as, apparently, it had a great Christmas trading session.

NEWSFLOW

Hotel Chocolat (#HOTC) – H1 sales -9%, “remain cautious about consumer sentiment”

views

Chocolate is a sweet treat but you still cannot say the same for Hotel Chocolat shares

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. 2023 is going to be an interesting one, but it is not impossible out there and even the average boring institutional investor should do better this year than they did during the last twelve months or so. In short, as always, I enter a new year with the glass being half full and not half empty – as any thoughtful active investor should do. The key is to keep on learning. And all this means that, whilst some stocks are buys today, many others are at best an avoid…which brings me onto Hotel Chocolat Group (HOTC).

NEWSFLOW

Hotel Chocolat (#HOTC) – Japan “strategic partnership” with Eat Creator Corporation

views

One more for the chocolate, rather than Hotel Chocolat, fans

Most of us like a bit of chocolate, and my personal top tip is the Taste The Difference J Sainsbury (SBRY) Ugandan 90% dark chocolate. Excellent taste, ESG friendly and does not cost you a fortune. But I have other financial and chocolate issues to discuss today as Hotel Chocolat Group (HOTC), a “premium British chocolate maker”, has announced its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 26th June 2022.

NEWSFLOW

Hotel Chocolat (#HOTC) – FY adj. PBT up but statutory loss, notes trading “year-to date shortfall”