We called the stock wrong ahead of these prelims. Instead of market forecasts being upgraded, fresh guidance has led to downgrades. While frustrating for expectant shareholders, this is not a profit warning but a ‘delay’ in the recovery of lost margin (FX mitigation), and an ‘acceleration’ of investment into services and customer capability which should generate a return in outer years. Pending the new CEO’s strategic update in Sept, though, Halfords growth plans in FY20/FY21 are unclear. Includ ....
