Daily Stock Market Report (Mon 27 Jan 2025) - SMWH, GOOD, VLX, COST, SRAD, DOCS

Good morning!
It's another positive set of announcements with lots of updates but possibly no profit warnings, with everything either in line or ahead of expectations. This happened several times last week, too. [EDIT: we also have another takeover offer!]
Could it be that economic worries, for the time being at least, have been fully priced into consensus forecasts for most companies?
I doubt this will last come April and the planned tax increases, but let's enjoy it while it lasts!
With the markets we cover arguably offering both a) historically cheap valuations, and b) forecasts that almost all companies are now able to meet or beat, surely the outlook for overall performance can't be bad!
11.30am: wrapping it up there for now, thank you.

Spreadsheet accompanying this report (updated to 17/1/2025)

Companies Reporting
Name (Mkt Cap)RNSSummaryOur view (Author)Johnson Matthey (LON:JMAT) (£2.3bn)Strategy updateMaintaining focus on PGM, scaling back hydrogen tech, committee to consider capital allocation.WH Smith (LON:SMWH) (£1.5bn)Response to press speculationConfirms w/end press reports that the company is exploring options to sell its High Street business.AMBER/GREEN (Graham)A positive announcement as this is primarily a travel business now.Dr Martens (LON:DOCS) (£704m)Q3 TUQ3...