Whitbread's caffeine high

Back in the day, the last business day of the month was always a rather important moment for me because it would determine whether I was a hero or a zero in the institutional investor world I used to belong to. Believe me, in the emails and related that followed, the whole investment firm would know whether your Fund had done well or badly. Of course the way to build performance was one month at a time, so a 'good close' to the month was immensely useful. If I was still in that world - and invested akin to my thoughts today - then I would have a big beaming smile on my face, thanks to the news update from my old mucker Whitbread (WTB) whose shares I have been continuously loving up on this website (most recently HERE)…

Whitbread (#WTB) – proposed sale of Costa to Coca-Cola, “significant majority” of estimated £3.8bn net proceeds intended to be returned to shareholders

Premier Inn's Split With Costa Could Bring Frothier Rewards for Shareholders

Hello, Share Saddlers. I’m ashamed to admit that one of the main reasons I bought Whitbread (WTB) shares is that it came with a deal for two hotel nights at Premier Inns for the price of one. We are testing the waters on this one with a romantic weekend break later this month.

ITV & Whitbread (Costa coffee still good to go)

A couple of larger cap favs of mine to write about today following new newsflow. I see that the ITV (ITV) COO/CFO has decided to exit into the night and retire. He has been at the company for a decade and no doubt he has made a pretty penny for his efforts. I do not think there is any particular fire here and he will hang around until a successor has been appointed. However my instinct is that there is another story here.

Whitbread (#WTB) – Q1 sales growth 3.2% (UK +3.5%, though -1.3% LFL), expects FY “in-line”

Whitbread finally smells the coffee!

I concluded my last write-up on Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner Whitbread (WTB) hoping for an event inspired by both activist shareholders on the company's ownership register and the new right-on Chairman Crozier who previously had set a fire below both ITV (ITV) and Royal Mail (RMG). Well today - finally – it delivered with the announcement that 'Whitbread will pursue a demerger of Costa, providing shareholders with investments in two distinct, focused and market-leading businesses'.

Whitbread (#WTB) – FY adj. EPS +6%, DPS +6%, to spin-off Costa

Whitbread (#WTB) – acquisition of a portfolio of 19 hotels in Germany

Whitbread - when bad means good

I seem to have written about one of my 2017 'tips of the year' Whitbread (WTB) more in 2018 than I did during its twelve months in the sun. A couple of weeks ago I observed that the appointment of the new Chairman, combined with an activist shareholder on the books could well tip the company over the edge in terms of thinking about the value creation option of splitting its two largest and most successful franchises Costa Coffee and Premier Inn. I also mused that the market reaction to this would push the shares back to trading at £50+.

Whitbread (#WTB) – Q3 LFL sales +0.3%, “reflecting recent tougher market conditions”

Whitbread - in Crozier we trust

I have already given my excuses concerning my 2017 tip of the year Whitbread (WTB), which only went dully up last year. I concluded in that piece that I would 'hold on' and I am. Today's announcement of a change at the top of the company's management structure reiterates such a position.

Is Whitbread roasted or worth a punt?

Whitbread (WTB) has had an up-and-down year since my last update on the stock - HERE. The Costa and Premier Inn operator unsurprisingly has been impacted by the changes in perception towards the strength (or not) of the UK consumer and this has pushed the shares between a £36 and £42 range this year. Today's interim results have again pushed the shares towards the lower end of this range despite the company reiterating its hopes for the full year.

Whitbread (#WTB) – £35m buyout of Costa South China joint venture

Some Perky Blinders for You. The Extra Benefits of Owning Some Golden Shares.

Hello Share Screechers. It was a bonus when I bought some Whitbread (WTB) shares and found I could wangle hotel accommodation at half price. Well, actually, the deal for shareholders is you and yours get a free Sunday at a Premier Inn if you stay on a Saturday night. Up to two rooms are on offer. Here are some other share perks you might like.

The UK consumer is not in a complete stupor says Whitbread

Is the UK consumer completely shot? For the last year we have had a waxing and waning in views from 'the experts' on this. The reality is that it depends who you talk to but, biggest picture, what is needed is a great product, attractive marketing and a base underlying need. I last chatted through the Whitbread (WTB) investment case in late January, where I concluded that the stock was still worth a punt...

Whitbread (#WTB) – Q1 LFL sales +2.9%, confident of further good progress

Huge Discounts Up for Grabs - for Shareholders Only

Hello Share Samplers. I’m quite excited about this. This family has now received its Whitbread (WTB) shareholder’s discount card. A good investment that, as I’ve only held the share a few weeks and am already up by 12%. And the added perk is really quite good, as shareholder discounts go.

Whitbread: don’t freak at geek metrics

First trading update of my (long) tip of the year for 2017 and the shares are down 4%. Worried? Of course not…the Whitbread (WTB) share price is still nicely above where I recommended it…and frankly we are not even a month into the year. The magnitude of the move today reflects the (to use a wonderful phrase poached from a fellow market observer) wildebeest financial market backdrop we have at the moment…

Whitbread (#WTB) – Q3 LFL sales +1.7%, expects FY results “in line with expectations”

Whitbread Shares May Froth Despite the National Living Wage

Hello Share Cravers. Whitbread (WTB) is a name which still conjures up old-fashioned pubs and breweries. Not necessarily a great business to be in that, as pubs seem to close down all over the shop.