How did David Moyes' reign affect Manchester United's share price?

Manchester United’s share price was relatively unchanged, rising slightly on its open in the New York Stock Exchange this afternoon following the sacking of boss David Moyes earlier in the day.

The stock opened at $17.90 across the Pond before rising to just above $18 as investors pondered how the move could affect the Old Trafford club’s long-term prospects.

There’s no doubt that Moyes’ appointment has seriously affected the performance of the Red Devils on the field this season. But how has it affected the the club’s share price away from the pitch?

At Spreadex, punters regularly bet on how Manchester United will fare in the Premier League and on how the club’s share price will perform on the New York Stock Exchange thanks to being able to place sports bets and financial trades from the same account.

But what should punters look out for when contemplating buying or selling the price of Manchester United shares? And does success on the field directly correlate with the share price off the pitch?

The chart below looks at the major points to note in relation to Manchester United share price fluctuations both before Moyes’ reign and after the Scot’s arrival from Everton.

Manchester United share price fluctuations under David Moyes

1. 10th August 2012
Manchester United’s initial public offering (IPO) sees shares traded at $14, below the initial Glazer family expectations of between $16 and $20, valuing the club at around $2.3bn. Five days later, United sign Robin van Persie for £24m. The share price dips towards $13 suggesting investors think the Red Devils could be paying over the odds for a 29-year-old with a history of injury problems.

2. 13th September 2012
A series of financial analyst reports, suggesting that the club’s IPO was overvalued, causes the share price to fall to a low of $12. On the field, United make an inauspicious start to the season as they look to wrestle the title back from neighbours Manchester City, losing 1-0 to a Marouane Fellaini winner at Everton before scraping two 3-2 victories over Fulham and Southampton.

3. 24th January 2013
A combination of on-the-pitch and off-the-field success helps Manchester United to become the first sports team in the world to be valued at above $3bn. Qualification for the Champions League knockout stages along with a series of new sponsorship deals, boosting the club’s commercial revenues sees shares rise from $14 at the beginning of the month to above $17 just weeks later.

4. 14th February 2013
Despite confirming a rise in commercial revenues, the club submits figures that show second-quarter profit declined by 61% due to a tax charge. The figures cause the share price to fall back from the $19 level to around $17.50. Two weeks later United are knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid at the last 16 stage causing the share price to retreat further to below $17.

5. 2nd May 2013
Shares peak at a high of just over $19 after the club issues a third-quarter earnings statement revealing a 29% increase in overall revenue helped by sharp rises in broadcast revenue and game-day revenue. The club had, a week earlier, secured its 20th top flight league title thanks to a van Persie hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, helping bump the share price up to around $18.

6. 8th May 2013
In a shock development, it is confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson is to retire from his position as manager of the club at the end of the season after 26 years in charge. The share price falls slightly from above $18.50 to $18 before recovering. The following day Moyes is confirmed as the new manager on a six year deal.

7. 12th June 2013
After weeks of steady decline in the share price following the appointment of Moyes, the stock plummets from around $17 to below $15. A £17m bid for centre back Ezequiel Garay from Benfica is blamed for the sell off as investors question both Moyes’ transfer knowhow and the pressure big signings may have on the club’s debt burden. However, with the deal not going through and other big pre-season signings not materialising, the share price steadily recovers.

8. 18th September 2013
The club reports record revenues of £363.2m for the year with sponsorship revenue up 44.1%, merchandising revenue up 14.2% and net profit up 528.3%. The figures, coupled with a steady if unspectacular start to the season under Moyes, help push the share price up to the $17.5 level. However, days later United crash 4-1 to Manchester City suggesting all is not right on the pitch.

9. 14th November 2013
In another trading update, the club reports record revenue of £98.5m for the first three months of its financial year with full year revenues estimated at between £420m to £430m. The share price bounds from $16 to $17 on the data. On the field, United beat league leaders Arsenal 1-0 to stay just five points off the Premier League summit.

10. 11th December 2013
News that hedge fund guru Crispin Odey has taken out a £13.3m short position on the club’s share price causes the stock to plummet from the $17 level to just above $15. Odey’s punt follows successive home defeats to Everton and Newcastle, however United complete the month with six straight wins to ensure Champions League knockout football and stay in touch in the league.

11. 29th January 2014
Reports suggest United are in line to sign a new kit deal worth more than £70m a season, surpassing Arsenal’s £35m Puma agreement. The share price leaps from below $15 to above $15.5 on the news but then falls back as United’s woes continue on the field and the club exits both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup and is now in serious doubt of securing a top four finish.

12. 26th February 2014
Rumours emerge that Moyes has been sacked following United’s 2-0 Champions League last 16 first leg defeat at Olympiakos. However, the rumours prove false and the club gives its backing for Moyes sending the share price back up towards the $15.5 level.

13. 11th March 2014
Stories that U.S. Investment firm Baron Capital has acquired a quarter of the Manchester United shares available on the New York Stock Exchange causes the club’s share price to rise from just below $15 towards the $16 level.

14. 28th March 2014
The share price jumps to just above $17 on speculation that former player David Beckham may be considering a takeover at Old Trafford along with ex-teammates Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. On the field, United’s hopes of Champions League football are over after painful 3-0 home losses to Liverpool and Manchester City.

15. 16th April 2014
Shares soar from around the $16.5 level to above $17.5 on reports of an imminent £600m kit deal with Nike over 10 years. The deal, coupled with a £35m a year shirt deal with Chevrolet leaves the club looking strong financially off the field. On the pitch it is a different story however and after their Champions League quarter-final exit, defeat at former club Everton just a few days later sparks Moyes’ sacking.