Arguably, no business represents the travails of the embattled British High Street better than Marks & Spencer. The beloved retailer seems to have spent decades embroiled in reinvention projects, eternally grappling with the demands of a market that refuses to sit still. So, is now a good time to buy Marks & Spencer shares?
The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated Marks & Spencer’s exhaustive efforts to remain competitive, forcing urgent cost-cutting measures and accelerating existing plans to streamline the business – a strategy that entails the closure of at least 100-120 stores.
If you’re thinking of invest in Marks & Spencer, this guide will explain how to buy Marks & Spencer shares, take a look at the best stockbrokers and consider the company’s prospects going forward.
Where to Buy Marks & Spencer Shares
If you want to invest in Marks & Spencer, start by creating an account with one of our recommended online stockbrokers. If you’re outside the United States, eToro is the best platform on which to buy MKS stock. If you’re inside the US or Canada, our top pick is Stash Invest.
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eToro has built on its early success and is now well-established as one of the world’s top trading platforms, offering 800+ tradeable stocks and a variety of ways to invest. If you’re interested in Marks & Spencer, you can opt to open a long position and buy the underlying asset. Alternatively, you can trade MKS shares with CFDs with up to 1:5 leverage.
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Should I Buy Marks & Spencer Shares? Points to Consider
It’s always best to do your research before you buy Marks & Spencer shares or other retail assets like Tesco stock. We always recommend taking a closer look at the company fundamentals and researching historic price movements and forecasts before you invest money.
Marks & Spencer business model and share price history
Long regarded as a bellwether for the British High Street, Marks & Spencer has struggled to modernise its business model in recent years and the Coronavirus pandemic has only served to accentuate issues that clearly need to be addressed. Everyone expected a sharp drop in profits during the pandemic and M&S obliged, reporting profits at a three-decade low, down 21.1% on last year.
But the bad news was accompanied by plans to accelerate an overhaul. Chief executive Steve Rowe said that the Coronavirus crisis “has given us a chance to cut back harder. We’re almost jumping three years in one in that respect.”
According to Rowe, the pandemic has focused minds: “Last year’s results reflect a year of substantial progress and change including the transformative investment in Ocado Retail, outperformance in Food and some green shoots in Clothing in the second half. However, they now seem like ancient history as the trauma of the COVID crisis has galvanised our colleagues to secure the future of the business.”
M&S aims to cut £500 million in costs this year, saving in areas like marketing, logistics and recruitment. A further £210 million in savings will be made by cancelling this year’s final dividend payment. Shareholders have been told not to expect a dividend in 2021 either.
While tough times lie ahead for M&S, investors seem to be impressed with the accelerated restructuring plan and the company’s decisive response to the pandemic. The share price closed up 11% at 95p and continue to rise past 100p the following day.
Marks & Spencer stock dividend information
In order to preserve liquidity amid the Coronavirus crisis, Marks & Spencer has scrapped £340million in dividends in the year to March 2021.
Marks & Spencer stock forecast and prediction
Recent stock targets for MKS include an Overweight assessment by Morgan Stanley of 160.00p, a neutral rating and target of 100.00p from UBS and a target of 120.00p from RBC Capital Markets, which reiterated an Outperform rating.
How to Buy Marks & Spencer Shares on eToro
It’s quick and easy to invest in Marks & Spencer stock at our recommended broker, eToro. Once you’ve registered and deposited into your broker account, follow these simple steps to buy MKS stock.
Step 1: Search for Marks & Spencer (MKS) Stock
Look up Marks & Spencer by typing the ticker symbol MKS into the search box.
Step 2: Click on trade
Click Trade in the top right corner of the Marks & Spencer page.
Step 3: Specify ‘Buy’
If you want to purchase the underlying asset, specify ‘Buy’ on the top tab, change the leverage to X1 and proceed to set your order. To trade MKS CFDs, set your leverage amount, Stop loss and Take profit order limits, then click ‘Set Order’.
Investing in Marks & Spencer Shares – Final Thoughts
It may be surprising to see so many analysts rating MKS as a Buy stock with the company in a seemingly terminal decline and struggling through an extended period of lost earnings. But many investors see the green shoots of a revival emerging from the wreckage of the Coronavirus crisis. A strategic overhaul will now be actioned as a matter of urgency and long-term structural issues should finally be addressed.
If you want to buy Marks & Spencer shares today, we recommend registering with one of our recommended stockbrokers. eToro is our pick broker if you’re outside the US, while we recommend US traders sign up to Stash Invest.
FAQs
Should I buy Marks & Spencer shares or wait?
Having dropped significantly in 2020, many analysts see plenty of upside potential in MKS right now.
What are the fees when buying Marks & Spencer stock?
Zero-commission stock and ETF trading is available to European clients who trade on eToro. This means that eToro doesn't add a dealing charge or any administrative fees when you buy MKS stock.
Is there a Marks & Spencer stock price prediction?
RBC Capital Markets gives MKS a target of 120.00p and rates it Outperform.
What does the Marks & Spencer stock dividend pay?
M&S has scrapped this year’s final dividend payment and doesn’t plan to pay shareholders in 2021.
