Now activists want Costa cut free of Whitbread but are they good for the market and UK plc?

ECONOMYLeave a comment

Elliott Advisors and short term activistists like it can only make hay because traditional institutional investors are so lazy
Time to put a dose of caffeine in your shares by spinning off Costa Coffee. That's what Whitbread has been told by activist investors.
Their arrival on the scene has already provided a shot of espresso. The company, which also owns Premier Inn, was the belle of the stock market's ball after it emerged that Elliott Advisers had taken a prominent position in the company, mostly through the use of derivatives.
Elliott's rationale? There isn’t much overlap between the two sides, which would do better as more focussed standalone businesses with their own boards and their own listings.
Read more Limited-edition Costa coffee-infused beer launched by Whitbread Costa Coffee, Premier Inn sales boost Whitbread results Whitbread could suffer if coffee is no longer our cup of tea You can certainly make a case for that and Whitbread's shares have..

WPP: Will it unravel now Sir Martin Sorrell is gone?

ECONOMYLeave a comment

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the advertising giant, which Sir Martin could decide to compete against
Is WPP in its current form a viable business without its founder, CEO and driving force Sir Martin Sorrell?
We’re about to find out.
The company is an agglomeration of more than 400 separate firms whose activities range from advertising to public relations, to market research, to marketing.
Read more WPP shares drop 6% after Sir Martin Sorrell's departure The business world needs more bosses like Martin Sorrell Sir Martin Sorrell quits as WPP boss after misconduct allegations People might have speculated about the potential value that could be delivered through carving bits out when he was in charge, but it was never going to happen.
Sir Martin endured the odd reverse at the hands of his investors, notably over the eye popping pay packages he and his executives enjoyed, but most of the time he was able to swat his critics aside, including when they expressed unhap..

What's behind Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin pulling the pub giant off social media?

ECONOMYLeave a comment

It's a rich irony given that the way Mr Martin expresses his views could easily be said to encourage the very sort of troll he takes aim at
Wetherspoons arch Brexiteer boss Tim Martin has created quite the social media storm with the news that he is pulling the company and its 900 pubs off social media.
Before you start cheering, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the irony that positively drips from the company’s statement explaining the rationale for the decision.
“It’s becoming increasingly obvious that people spend too much time on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and struggle to control the compulsion,” Mr Martin opined, stating that he doesn’t believe abandoning a promotional tool most businesses have leapt upon will affect his trade.
Read more Why Wetherspoons really shut down its social media accounts JD Wetherspoon to close social media accounts over online abuse JD Wetherspoon posts rise in profits but warns of tough year ahead The statement also cited “rec..