Archived article
Please note that tax, investment, pension and ISA rules can change and the information and any views contained in this article may now be inaccurate.
AJ Bell is an easy to use, award-winning platform Open an account
We've accounts to suit every investing need, and free guides and special offers to help you get the most from them.
You can get a few handy suggestions, or even get our experts to do the hard work for you – by picking one of our simple investment ideas.
All the resources you need to choose your shares, from market data to the latest investment news and analysis.
Funds offer an easier way to build your portfolio – we’ve got everything you need to choose the right one.
Starting to save for a pension, approaching retirement, or after an explainer on pension jargon? We can help.
Please note that tax, investment, pension and ISA rules can change and the information and any views contained in this article may now be inaccurate.
We are off to a flying start after last month flagging retailer Next (NXT) as one of top picks for 2019. The company reported robust festive trading in an update (3 Jan) which reignited market interest in the stock.
Against very downbeat expectations and despite a difficult November, the high street stalwart managed to increase full price sales between 28 October and 29 December by 1.5% year-on-year which was exactly in line with the guidance given in September.
Online business did a lot of the heavy lifting with web-based sales up 15.2% through the period. Investors were well prepared for the 9.2% decline in sales achieved in physical stores given the pressures on the high street and so this figure didn’t cause widespread concern.
The market was even prepared to look past a small downgrade in guidance for the year to January 2019 from £727m to £723m.
Shore Capital analyst Greg Lawless says Next has a ‘strong track record of under promising and over delivering’. He adds: ‘The company exerts strong cost and stock control and is highly cash generative, evidenced in the recurring £300m share buy-back programme.’
We continue to back chief executive Simon Wolfson’s ability to steer Next through a difficult backdrop.
Still a buy.
These articles are provided by Shares magazine which is published by AJ Bell Media, a part of AJ Bell. Shares is not written by AJ Bell.
Shares is provided for your general information and use and is not a personal recommendation to invest. It is not intended to be relied upon by you in making or not making any investment decisions. The investments referred to in these articles will not be suitable for all investors. If in doubt please seek appropriate independent financial advice.
Investors acting on the information in these articles do so at their own risk and AJ Bell Media and its staff do not accept liability for losses suffered by investors as a result of their investment decisions.
The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you originally invested. We don't offer advice, so it's important you understand the risks, if you're unsure please consult a suitably qualified financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and rules may change. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and some investments need to be held for the long term.