Tesco Share Price (TSCO)

TSCO - Tesco Investor Summary

Tesco PLC is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the retail industry. The company currently sits in the top spot with regards to UK grocery chains and is now also the third largest grocery retailer worldwide. Tesco was established in the late 1920s and became a public limited company in 1932, just five years after the first shop opened in London. They have been part of the London Stock Exchange since 1947 when the original share price was an impressive 25 pence. Tesco PLC today is a global company with stores opening in countries such as China, Japan and Turkey within the last five years. Their most recent expansion has been into the American market with the launch of the "Fresh and Easy" stores. The first opened in 2007 and there are already in excess of 50 trading around the country.

2008 saw UK sales of nearly £37 billion and group sales of over £51 billion. This made the operating profit in the UK, before VAT, to be over £2 billion – a figure that is likely to be achieved in future years as well according to statistics. Even with the present economic climate, Tesco PLC announced an 11.1% increase in group sales year on year which means they aren't feeling the effects of the credit crunch yet. They also announced a 13% increase on the dividend per share when compared to 2007 – another factor which has helped to encourage loyalty within their shareholders.