Makes for some interesting decisions here. Woolies sitting on a PE of around 13 right now, which is about as low as a retailer can go (unless they post a loss, of course). SHP still sitting in the 20's, MPC around 14, etc ... So the question is - what is the best strategy going forward. With SHP, you are banking on more of the same. With MPC, you are banking on them turning around the low cost - high volume markets of Africa. With WHL, you are banking on them turning around the high income - theoretically high margin markets of SA and Australia. SA carrying them still, and they are still struggling to grow margin in Australia. Then there is the question of debt. Woolies as a D/E ratio of 1. Pretty high - but once knocked off - they should be in a good position. Worth a punt, I think
... View more