eyeQ: analysing recovery potential for ‘cheap’ M&S shares
Experts at eyeQ have used AI and their own smart machine to analyse macro conditions and generate actionable trading signals. This time it’s the troubled retailer.
20th May 2025 10:13
by Huw Roberts from eyeQ
“Our signals are crafted through macro-valuation, trend analysis, and meticulous back-testing. This combination ensures a comprehensive evaluation of an asset's value, market conditions, and historical performance.” eyeQ
- Discover: eyeQ analysis explained | eyeQ: our smart machine in action | Glossary
Marks & Spencer
Macro Relevance: 50%
Model Value:388.94p
Fair Value Gap: -6.85% discount to model value
Data correct as at 20 May 2025. Please click glossary for explanation of terms. Long-term strategic model.
Marks & Spencer Group (LSE:MKS) announce full-year results tomorrow where most of the focus will be on the fallout from the recent cyber-attack.
eyeQ's macro relevance score is 50% so, in effect, the share price is half about bottom-up company fundamentals like earnings, and half about big picture factors like economic growth and inflation.
From the macro point-of-view, the standout is M&S acts like a defensive stock. Current patterns show it is okay with weaker growth and uncertainty in financial markets.
Those "safe haven" properties are evident from recent share price moves. MKS rallied early in April when equity markets suffered from Trump's tariffs; then, as equities subsequently recovered, MKS fell sharply.
That fall has taken M&S nearly 7% cheap to aggregate macro conditions. That is a big enough Fair Value Gap to warrant a bullish signal, but that 50% macro relevance score is too low for a macro regime and therefore prevents the machine from acting.
Earnings will dominate tomorrow but M&S has a notable macro element to it. One which suggests it’s a good place to hide if markets turn lower.
Source: eyeQ. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Useful terminology:
Model value
Where our smart machine calculates that any stock market index, single stock or exchange-traded fund (ETF) should be priced (the fair value) given the overall macroeconomic environment.
Model (macro) relevance
How confident we are in the model value. The higher the number the better! Above 65% means the macro environment is critical, so any valuation signals carry strong weight. Below 65%, we deem that something other than macro is driving the price.
Fair Value Gap (FVG)
The difference between our model value (fair value) and where the price currently is. A positive Fair Value Gap means the security is above the model value, which we refer to as “rich”. A negative FVG means that it's cheap. The bigger the FVG, the bigger the dislocation and therefore a better entry level for trades.
Long Term model
This model looks at share prices over the last 12 months, captures the company’s relationship with growth, inflation, currency shifts, central bank policy etc and calculates our key results - model value, model relevance, Fair Value Gap.
These third-party research articles are provided by eyeQ (Quant Insight). interactive investor does not make any representation as to the completeness, accuracy or timeliness of the information provided, nor do we accept any liability for any losses, costs, liabilities or expenses that may arise directly or indirectly from your use of, or reliance on, the information (except where we have acted negligently, fraudulently or in wilful default in relation to the production or distribution of the information).
The value of your investments may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest.
Equity research is provided for information purposes only. Neither eyeQ (Quant Insight) nor interactive investor have considered your personal circumstances, and the information provided should not be considered a personal recommendation. If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, please consult an authorised financial adviser.
Disclosure
We use a combination of fundamental and technical analysis in forming our view as to the valuation and prospects of an investment. Where relevant we have set out those particular matters we think are important in the above article, but further detail can be found here.
Please note that our article on this investment should not be considered to be a regular publication.
Details of all recommendations issued by ii during the previous 12-month period can be found here.
ii adheres to a strict code of conduct. Contributors may hold shares or have other interests in companies included in these portfolios, which could create a conflict of interests. Contributors intending to write about any financial instruments in which they have an interest are required to disclose such interest to ii and in the article itself. ii will at all times consider whether such interest impairs the objectivity of the recommendation.
In addition, individuals involved in the production of investment articles are subject to a personal account dealing restriction, which prevents them from placing a transaction in the specified instrument(s) for a period before and for five working days after such publication. This is to avoid personal interests conflicting with the interests of the recipients of those investment articles.