Marks and Spencer Group plc·Consumer Cyclical

Marks and Spencer Group PLC's (LSE:MKS) strong finish to the 2026 financial year has reinforced confidence in the retailer's turnaround story, with investment bank analysts arguing the group still has scope for further upgrades despite a cautious outlook. Deutsche Bank said the FTSE 100 group's annual results the day before had exited the year “more strongly than we anticipated”, supporting its view that the business was “back on track” with improving sales growth and recovering margins driven by cost efficiencies.

Marks and Spencer (MAKSY) is telling investors the recovery story is back in motion after last year's cyberattack knocked its online operations off track for almo

Marks and Spencer Group plc (MAKSY) Q4 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Marks and Spencer Group PLC's (LSE:MKS) annual results may have fallen short of the market's longer-term profit hopes, but investors appeared willing to look through last year's cyber disruption and focus instead on signs that the retailer's recovery remains on track. Shares in M&S rose 4% by midday on Wednesday after the retailer reported adjusted pre-tax profit down 24% to £671.4 million following a cyber incident and weaker performance in clothing.

Pretax profit dropped 29%, though the retailer said its performance rebounded in the second half and that it was recouping losses from last year's cyberattack.

Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE:MKS) hiked its dividend almost 17% despite reporting a sharp fall in annual profits due to last year's cyber incident, as the retailer said the profit growth that returned in the second half is likely to continue this coming year. Adjusted pre-tax profit for the FTSE 100 grocery and clothing chain came in at £671.4 million for the 52 weeks to 28 March, down 23.8% from a year earlier.
Marks and Spencer Group plc operates various retail stores. It operates through five segments: UK Clothing & Home, UK Food, International, Ocado, and All Other. The company offers protein deli and dairy; produce; ambient and in-store bakery; meals dessert and frozen; and hospitality and 'Food on the Move' products. The company also provides womenswear, menswear, lingerie, kids wear, and home products; financial services, including credit cards, payment solutions, insurances, savings, and loans; and renewable energy services. In addition, it invests in and develops real estate properties; operates international franchises; and provides its products online. The company also exports its products. It operates 1,487 stores in worldwide. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Consumer Cyclical
Department Stores
64,000
2007-07-30
1.02