If you’ve been watching the m and s share price today, you’ve probably noticed that it isn't exactly a straight line. Markets closed on Friday, January 16, 2026, with Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) sitting at 366.80p. That was a modest rise of about 0.9% on the day, but it’s the bigger picture that’s actually interesting. Over the last week, the stock has clawed back about 4%. It’s a bit of a recovery story, honestly.
People love to talk about M&S like it’s just another high-street dinosaur, but the reality on the trading floor is much more nuanced. The company is currently navigating the "long tail" of a massive cyberattack from April 2025. You might remember it—it basically broke their online clothing business for months. Because of that, the earnings for the current fiscal year (FY2026) are expected to look pretty ugly. We’re talking about a forecast drop of over 20% in earnings per share.
But investors aren't looking at today’s mess. They’re looking at tomorrow’s rebound.
Why the m and s share price today is moving
The recent momentum is mostly thanks to the Christmas trading update released on January 8. M&S Food is absolutely carrying the team right now. Like-for-like food sales grew by 5.6% in the quarter ending December 27. People are genuinely buying into their "Remarksable Value" range. It’s a clever play—keep the quality high but drop the price on the basics to lure in families who usually shop at Tesco or Sainsbury’s.
It worked. M&S is now the fastest-growing major retailer for families in the UK.
However, it wasn't all champagne and Percy Pigs. The Fashion, Home & Beauty side of the house is still struggling, with sales down 2.9%. Management blames reduced high-street footfall and lingering inventory issues from that 2025 cyber breach. It’s a classic "tale of two retailers" situation.
The Analyst View: Buy, Hold, or Panic?
Most of the big brokers are surprisingly upbeat. You’ve got Citigroup with a target price of 450p and UBS at 435p. If you compare that to the current 366.80p, there’s a lot of theoretical upside. Berenberg recently upgraded the stock to a "Buy," noting that the valuation has de-rated so much that it actually looks cheap.
The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for the next 12 months is sitting around 10.5x. Compare that to historical averages or even its peers, and you start to see why some fund managers are quietly nibbling at the stock.
What to watch next week
Next week is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster for the m and s share price today and the wider retail sector.
- On January 21, we get the UK inflation data.
- On January 23, the official retail sales report drops.
If inflation stays sticky or shoppers stayed home in early January, the stock could easily give back those 4% gains it made this week. Retail is a brutal game of sentiment.
The "Once-in-a-Decade" Argument
Some analysts, like those over at The Motley Fool, are calling this a "once-in-a-decade" chance. That sounds like hyperbole, right? But their logic is based on the balance sheet. In 2022, M&S had more debt than it was worth. Today, its net debt is only about 25% of its market cap. They’ve cleaned up the house.
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The plan is to achieve £100 million in cost savings through efficiency. If Stuart Machin (the CEO) can actually deliver that while the Clothing division recovers, the "FY27 rebound" everyone is talking about might actually happen. Analysts are forecasting a 46.9% increase in earnings for the next fiscal year. That’s a massive jump.
Real Risks You Can't Ignore
- The Cyber Hangover: If another data glitch happens, investor trust will vanish instantly.
- Consumer Squeeze: M&S is still a "premium" choice for many. If energy bills spike or the economy wobbles, that "affordable indulgence" of an M&S dinner is the first thing people cut.
- The Ocado Drama: The joint venture with Ocado is still a bit of a headache. There’s ongoing tension over performance payments, and it remains a drag on the overall bottom line.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you’re tracking the m and s share price today, don't just look at the daily percentage. Look at the 352p level. That's the 200-day moving average. The stock recently dipped below it and is now fighting to stay above it. Technicians usually see that as a "make or break" zone.
Also, keep an eye on the dividend. It’s currently yielding about 2.0%. It’s not a massive income play, but for a turnaround story, it’s a nice little bonus while you wait for the "reshape" strategy to finish.
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The real test comes on May 20, 2026, when the full-year results are published. That will be the moment we see exactly how much that cyberattack cost the company and whether the "springboard" into 2027 is actually solid wood or just thin cardboard.
The smart move right now is watching those inflation prints on January 21. If the macro environment stays stable, M&S might just continue its slow walk back toward the 400p mark.