Volkswagen shares

According to the Evening News, a firm of London stockbrokers is advising clients to sell B.M.C. shares and switch to Volkswagen. Although VW shares cost £78 each and yield only 1.4% against the 7% of B.M.C. shares, these brokers backed up their views by pointing out that VW earned £85-million in 1961 from sales of £351-million whereas B.M.C. earned only £33-million from fractionally lower sales. VW make a profit per vehicle of £98, B.M.C. only £49. Moreover, apparently VW’s £60-million earned through exports were not included. The brokers feel that B.M.C. will not recover until 1963. It is only fair to remark that David Malbert, City Editor of the Evening News, did not go all the way with these views. He stated that “The splendid B.M.C. mini-cars could well become world-beaters” and felt that if profit margins on them could be improved this would make a significant difference to B.M.C. earnings.