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Marx and Spencer (LSE: MKS) Actions have been nicely stuck this year. Before the Easter weekend, FTSE 100 The actions shook widespread market turbulence from Trump’s tariffs to reach nine years above 411 pence per share.
But during a four -day break, the company was affected by the Black Swan event. It is believed that the notorious network of hackers called Scated Spider has introduced a lasting cyber attack into the company. The supermarket revealed a message on Easter Monday.
Since then, the price of Marx and Spencer shares has beat when the retailer is struggling with havoc that survived his activity. How bad things could end, endless chaos. Is this an opportunity for brave investors to buy affordable stocks today?
What we know so far
There are details about the exact nature “Cybernetic incident“This M&S confirmed that it is dealing. We know that the company has fallen victim to ransomware. This type of malware prevents access to computer systems and has a critical data hostage as long as the ransom is determined.
Precipitation was grave. Until now, online orders have been stopped for over a week. The buyers were warned that it could take months before returning the normal service. To add to misery, recruitment was stopped, and automated warehouse controls were disturbed, which leads to significant waste.
The risk of cyber security is a threat to many companies in the Internet era. However, this cyber attack seems particularly bad. As huge interference and reputational damage arise, there may be lasting damage to the M&S brand.
Artaing price
Investors who put 10,000 pounds on Spencer’s ratings and actions before the Cybergang hit would be able to buy 2431 shares. Today, this position would drop to $ 8,710.27. This is a painful loss of almost 1300 pounds in less than three weeks.
The price of Marx and Spencer shares still increased by 37% in 12 months and 277% in five years. In this context, cyber attack must still cause grave damage to long -term shareholders. Nevertheless, I think there is a good chance that the situation can get worse.
Uncertain perspectives
Uncertainty is a large problem for both the group and investors. He is worried that M&S ​​seems to be completely blind at the cyber attack. The answer has been largely reactive so far.
The distributed spider could be for similar cyber attacks in 2023 against American casino operators, Caesars Entertainment AND MGM Resorts International. The former reportedly paid the negotiated payment of a extortion of USD 15 million, while the second suffered around $ 100 million losses after rejecting the ransom demands.
Unfortunately, M&S seems to get stuck between the rock and the arduous place. There is no simple way out to a company where ongoing interference causes daily damage to the lower line.
Before this mutilating incident, the results were encouraging. In the third quarter, revenues increased by 6.4% to 3.9 billion GBP. Both the clothing, home and beauty department and the food industry were in a positive form, and sales increased by 1.9% and 8.9%, respectively.
Marx and Spencer actions offer an exhibition on a fundamentally high -quality retail group with considerable potential. But the latest events should give investors thinking. I will not invest as long as the company is able to show cyber attack under control.