WH Smith’s (LSE:SMWH) one of the UK’s great ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ stocks. While growth at its Travel division remains strong, trouble at its High Steet unit remains a drag on its shares.
But with its beleaguered traditional business being offloaded, things could be looking up as WH Smith ramps up expansion across the world’s airports, rail stations and other travel hubs.
Could it now be one of the FTSE 250‘s best growth stocks to consider buying? Let’s take a look.
Mixed bag
WH Smith’s tired, cluttered high street stores have long lagged in the cut-throat retail market. With consumer spending also on the ropes, it’s no surprise the division again disappointed in Wednesday’s (16 April) half-year update.
Sales across the company’s 480 stores dropped 7% in the six months to 28 February, while trading profit slumped 32%. So once again, it was left to its Travel unit to come to the rescue….
