Research And Analysis Of Tesco Plc Essay Example

come as a consequence of its rapid and consistent growing, since growing and profitableness do non ever move manus in manus. I besides wanted to cognize more about the company`s scheme which has seen it expand so rapidly and quickly than its challengers do.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

The chief purposes and aims of this undertaking are to analyze the concern and fiscal public presentation of Tesco plc. It should be noted that most companies are non managed and directed by their proprietors ( stockholders ) but instead appoint Directors and entrust in their custodies with stewardship of their investings. Therefore it is appropriate for these Directors to account to these proprietors the stewardship of those investings entrusted in their attention.

Stockholders and stakeholders of every company including Tesco plc will wish to cognize whether or non their investings and involvement are been managed decently since this will assist them make up one's mind whether to sell off their portions or maintain them and even put more. Stakeholders likewise may besides desire to cognize the company`s public presentation, advancement and its success in order to take an informed determinations.

The undertaking will happen out whether Tesco plc`s stockholders are decently rewarded for their investings and hazards they have taken or non. And besides to determine how satisfactory Tesco plc stakeholders are.

To accomplish this, ratio analysis was employed to analyze the company`s last three old ages fiscal statements ( 2008, 2009, 2010 ) and this was compared with the challengers three consequences in order to obtain objectiveness and equity.

There was besides a consideration sing the traveling concern position of the concern as it is cardinal to the company`s

long term endurance. As a effect, tools such as SWOT and 5 Forces analysis were considered to measure its non fiscal information in order to set up Tesco plc`s current competitory place in the market, any strengths and failings they have every bit good as chances and menaces they are faced with.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

As portion of this undertaking the undermentioned research inquiry were generated in order to react to them in the analysis:

Has the stockholders investing managed decently?

How good hold Tesco plc stockholders are been rewarded for hazards taken?

Have stakeholders involvement been kept satisfied?

Is the company`s current concern scheme sustainable?

What is the company`s long term endurance scheme?

Will the company be able to go on to bask rapid addition and enlargement?

2. Information Gathering

Beginnings and their grounds

Tesco Plc`s 2008, 2009, 2010 Annual studies

These single one-year studies provided me with elaborate and equal information which I used for analyzing the concern and fiscal public presentation of the company. The one-year studies were really utile in ciphering and analyzing since they were the most current consequences.

J. Sainsbury`s Plc Annual Reports for 2008, 2009, 2010

Like the Tesco Plc one-year studies, these 1s from J. Sainsbury`s Plc besides assisted me in analyzing the concern and fiscal public presentation of the company and once more the most recent fiscal studies.

The Chairmen and the Chief Executives statements from both companies

These were utile in that they provided me with the companies operational high spots which helped my analysis to reflect those high spots

Quarterly Reports on their trading activates

There were critical information that I gathered from these quarterly studies as good, which aided my analysis.

Unaudited interim company fiscal Reports

Even though these studies were unaudited and may

non supply much positive marks, nevertheless they supplied me with tendencies on these companies` operations to set up its public presentation and besides to see if there was the demand for issue of net income warning.

News documents

Information gathered from the intelligence paper publications included experts sentiments, remarks and suggestions which could impact the portion monetary value of the company on the market. And as such was utile to the stockholders and possible stockholders.

Expert Reports

These were other independent adept positions gathered apart from the intelligence documents which throw much more visible radiations on the hereafter and possible chances of the company by demoing tendencies, projections, prognosis, diagnosing, etc.

Libraries

Continuous visit to libraries such as the Woolwich library, British library, white chapel, etc. These libraries gave me the opportunity to hold entree to the information bases of all the listed companies ' information.

Books and diaries

Most of the ACCA text books such as Paper F2, F7, P3, ACCA students` magazines, Financial accounting books, etc were all utile in this exercising in acquiring a deeper apprehension of the fiscal analysis.

2.2 Method used in information assemblage

The secondary informations were gathered and used for the behavior of this study which was collected through the undermentioned agencies:

Libraries- Libraries attending was used to roll up informations from beginnings such as articles, News documents, Textbooks, diaries, magazines, Cadmium ROM, etc.

Search engines ( Websites ) - Websites that were considered of import were visited to roll up informations including that of Tesco Plc web site, J. Sainsbury`s Plc and others. They are ( www.tesco.com ) , ( www.j-sainsbury.co.uk ) , hypertext transfer protocol: //www.emeraldinsight.com, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ssrn.com, hypertext transfer protocol: //search.ebscohost.com, etc.

Request Letter- A formal

written missive was sent to both the secretaries of Tesco Plc and J. Sainsbury`s Plc to bespeak a transcript of their 2008, 2009, 2010 one-year studies which helped in the analysis.

Marketlineinfo.com/ Datamonitor.com - Specialised information were kind from these beginnings to assist analyze the non- fiscal information such as SWOT AND 5 Forces analyses techniques.

Fiscal Analysis Made Easy ( FAME ) - This beginning gave me fiscal information including Tesco Plc and J. Sainsbury`s Plc and contained ratios analysis for companies. There was besides non- fiscal information such as the employees` Numberss, construction of company ownership, issues associating to corporate administration.

Accounting techniques used

The under-listed techniques were used for the behavior of this research in order to get at a sensible and an nonsubjective decisions which helped to give recommendations

Profitability ratios

Liquidity ratios

Efficiency and solvency

Investor ratios/ Stock market ratios

As portion of the behavior of this research these fiscal ratios were computed in apprehension of the company public presentation in replying the research inquiries mentioned in 1.5 above were. They included:

Gross Growth ratio: this showed the motion of growing in gross for the old ages 2008, 2009 and 2010 for both Tesco Plc and J. Sainsbury Plc.

Profitableness and returns ratios: These ratios indicated good Tesco Plc has high quality in footings of Net income coevals for the three old ages as oppose to its rival J. Sainsbury Plc.

Working capital ratios: these ratios are arrows of short-run fiscal standing of both companies. The thought was to set up these companies ability to stay in concern by been able to finance its short term debts with short term beginnings of finance without holding to ensue to the usage of long

term finance ( fixed assets ) .

Efficiency ratios like the net income per employee and turnover per employee were all considered. This was able to demo how efficient Primark has been managed in relation to its workers.

Investor ratios: the investor ratios measured how good have the stockholders been adequately rewarded for the hazard taken. And besides these ratios could help possible stockholders to take any informed determination ( s ) .

3. ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

3.1 OVERVIEW OF TESCO PLC

Tesco is one of the largest nutrient retail merchants in the universe, runing around 2,318 shops and using over 326,000 people. Equally good as operating in the UK, it has shops in the remainder of Europe and Asia. It besides provides online services through its subordinate, Tesco.com. The UK is the company 's largest market runing under four streamers: Extra, Superstore, Metro and Express. Tesco sells about 40,000 nutrient merchandises in its superstores, every bit good as vesture and other non-food lines. The company 's own-label merchandises are at three degrees, value, normal and finest. Tesco Plc ain trade name histories for about 50 % of gross revenues. Equally good as convenience green goods, many shops have gas Stationss. The company has become one of Britain 's largest gasoline independent retail merchants. Other retailing services offered in the UK include Tesco Personal Finance and Tesco.com. Tesco Personal Finance is a joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland. It has over 3.4 million clients, and provides assorted fiscal merchandises and services. The company has operations in the remainder of Europe, including the Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tesco 's Republic of Ireland concern operates

in the part of 82 shops, and around 60 shops in the Magyar market. Tesco 's Polish operations include former HIT operated shops. It operates around 66 hypermarkets and supermarkets in this state. In the Czech Republic and Slovakian markets, Tesco operates 22 and 23 hypermarkets severally. Tesco besides operates shops in Asia, including Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan. The company operates 64 shops in Thailand and 28 shops in the South Korean Market, while in the Chinese and Malayan markets it has three shops in each state.

www.datamonitor.com

3.2 OVERVIEW OF J. SAINSBURYS PLC

J. Sainsbury plc operates a sum of 890 shops consisting 547 supermarkets and 343 convenience shops. It jointly owns Sainsbury 's Bank with Lloyds Banking Group and has two belongings joint ventures with Land Securities Group PLC and The British Land Company PLC. The Group besides holds 294 freehold and long leasehold shops. It employs about 150,000 staff. The company 's shops offer a scope of nutrient, and complementary non-food merchandises and services chiefly under the Sainsbury`s trade name. It besides provides an Internet-based place bringing shopping service. In add-on, it provides insurance, recognition cards, nest eggs merchandises, and loans. The Sainsbury 's trade name is built upon a heritage of supplying clients with healthy, safe, fresh and tasty nutrient. Quality and carnival monetary values travel hand-in-hand with a responsible attack to concern. Sainsbury 's shops have a peculiar accent on fresh nutrient and strive to introduce continuously and better merchandises in line with their client demands ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.j-sainsbury.co.uk ) . Its concerns are organized into three runing sections: Retailing ( Supermarkets and Convenience ) ; Financial services (

Sainsbury 's Bank joint venture ) , and Property investing ( British Land articulation venture and Land Securities joint venture ) ( hypertext transfer protocol: //uk.reuters.com ) .

Companies Strategy

3.2.1 Tesco Plc concern scheme

Tesco Plc has a well-established and steady scheme for growing that has assisted in beef uping its nucleus activities in the UK and its farther enlargement in to new markets ( abroad ) . The footing for the scheme is to widen the graduated table of it operations to enable it present well-built sustainable long-run growing by manner of prosecuting the client into big turning markets at place. By that it offers clients with merchandises including fiscal services, telecoms and non-food and new markets abroad, originally in Central Europe and Asia, andA more latelyA in the US. The company`s 1997 variegation scheme lunched has successful become its foundation in recent times. The company has become market leader in most of the markets that saw the creative activity and development of their new concerns out the UK for the last 12 old ages since these concerns are extremely competitory and profitable. Tesco plc scheme has shown a monolithic advancement systematically. The scheme has five indispensable basicss which reflect on the company`s four conventional countries of concentration and the business` long-run committednesss sing the society every bit good as the environment. The aims of the Tesco Plc scheme focal point on:

To go a successful planetary retail merchant

To develop its nucleus concern in the UK

To go as strong in non-food as in nutrient.

To construct up retailing services - such as Tesco Personal Finance, Telecoms and Tesco.com

To set the community at the bosom of what it does

( http: //www.tescoplc.com )

3.2.2 J. Sainsbury 's Plc concern scheme

J. Sainsbury`s Plc scheme focuses on five chief countries which are underpinned by the company 's strong heritage and trade name which systematically sets it apart from its chief challengers. One of such schemes is great quality merchandises at just monetary values - the company with its consistent invention provides its clients with healthy, safe, fresh and tasty nutrient that are besides sourced with unity. With over 19 million clients been served every hebdomad and increase in market indicate how successful the scheme has been. The company`s 2nd scheme is on the acceleration of the growing of its complementary non-food and services through its doctrine of quality and value, and to offer a broader shopping experience for consumers. The company opened 51 convenient shops during 2009/10 as portion of its scheme of making as many clients as possible with it trade name. I besides expanded its food markets online concern to make about 90 % families with non nutrient merchandises lunched in July 2009 doing 8,000 merchandises now available countrywide. J. Sainsbury Plc program to open 75 to 100 more in convenient shops in 2010/11. Since operational flexibleness can be improved by property/ assets ownership and even further development of possible development chances, J. Sainsbury Plc increased the value of it freehold belongings portfolio to ?9.8 billion ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.j-sainsbury.co.uk )

In a extremely competitory market place in which all UK retail merchants are contending to prolong their gross revenues against a lag in consumer disbursement, Primark is making unusually good.

The UK high streets and promenades are packed with no-frills manner retail merchants. That means

that Primark has plentifulness of rivals all taking at the same type of clients. It is non easy to sell inexpensive manner. Well-established challengers such as BHS and Matalan are fighting, while consequences at Primark are dining.

The market section targeted by Primark is the manner witting under-35s with the slogan `` Look good wage less '' . It offers stylish apparels at really competitory monetary values ( for illustration, denims for ?4 ) and sensible quality: in other words, a value for money scheme. In competitory scheme footings, Primark is a prosecuting a authoritative 'focus cost leading ' scheme.

The American direction professor Michael Porter of Harvard University developed a well-known attack to the competitory scheme of houses. He argued that companies could accomplish a higher rate of net income ( or at least possible net income ) in one of two ways: they could either supply a merchandise or service that is indistinguishable to that provided by rival companies, but at a lower cost than rival houses, or they could supply a merchandise or service that is differentiated from that of rival houses such that clients would be prepared to pay more for their merchandise than for a rival house 's merchandise. ( R. M Grant ( 2005 ) ) .

The first attack would intend that the house has aA cost advantage over rival houses, leting it to prosecute a 'Cost Leadership ' scheme ; the 2nd attack would intend that they had aA differentiationA advantage, leting it to prosecute a 'Differentiation ' scheme. Firms selling a 'no-frills ' merchandise are normally trying a cost leading scheme, such as Easyjet ( UK ) or SouthWest

( USA ) air hoses. The 'focus ' portion of Primark 's scheme is the specific client section it focuses on i.e. that of the under-35s. It is non trying to sell to everybody. It has selected a peculiar client section, merely as the '18-30 ' vacation company has selected a clear market section based on age group within the leisure industry.

In the last three old ages Primark has got a batch of things right. Some of its strongest successful rivals are BHS, TK Maxx and George at ASDA. However, although all three are in the 'value ' section and hence have similar market placement, the other three have different schemes to that of Primark. TK Maxx sells heavily-discounted prestigiousness trade names and George at Asda has created its ain private-label trade name largely at out-of town shops. Primark is a high street retail merchant which has a household of trade names and focuses much more on purchasing, logistics and supply concatenation direction instead than branding.

In its chase of ever-lower costs, squads of purchasers in UK and Ireland travel internationally both to place manner tendencies and to seek out the most competitory providers. The company uses computerised imposts clearance ( velocity to market ) and dedicated repositing and distribution installations, such as the elephantine warehouse owned and run by the logistics company TNT but dedicated entirely to Primark stock distribution. This one warehouse is centrally located for the whole UK market, near a junction of the M1 expressway and it houses 50 % of Primark 's UK stock, having 30 lorry tonss each twenty-four hours. ( This warehouse was destroyed by fire in November 2005

) . Computerised repositing and distribution systems are linked to computerised day-to-day gross revenues and stock information ( rapid restocking of fast-selling points ) by size and coloring material for each point in every shop to optimize turnover. ( www.open2.net )

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

3.3.1 Gross saless growing

Table A: Gross saless growing

A

2010

2009

2008

A companies

?

?

?

Tesco Plc

56,910,000

54.327,000

47,298,000

J. Sainsbury Plc

19,964,000

18,911,000

17,837,000

Beginning: Tesco plc one-year report/ J. Sainsbury Plc one-year study

Figure 1: Gross saless growing of Tesco Plc and J. Sainsbury Plc

3.3.2 Profitability ratios

3.3.2.1 Gross net income border

Table Bacillus: Gross net income border

A

2010

2009

2008

A Companies

%

%

%

Tesco Plc

8.10

7.76

7.67

J. Sainsbury Plc

5.42

5.48

5.62

Beginning: Tesco plc one-year report/ J. Sainsbury Plc one-year study

Figure 2: Gross net income border of both companies

3.2.2.2 Cost of gross revenues to Turnover/ gross revenues ratio

Go for new graph

hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALLHYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL & A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' & amp ; HYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL & A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' UrlKey=t92wz0sj7cHYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL & A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' & amp ; HYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL & A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' source=HSHYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL

& A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' & amp ; HYPERLINK `` hypertext transfer protocol: //tools.morningstar.co.uk/t92wz0sj7c/stockreport/default.aspx? SecurityToken=0P000090N6 ] 3 ] 0 ] E0WWE $ $ ALL & A ; UrlKey=t92wz0sj7c & A ; source=HS & A ; UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON '' UniverseId=E0EXG $ XLON

NON FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Mentions

www.datamonitor.com, Accessed 22/04/2011

hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hoovers.com/company/J_Sainsbury_plc/cfctki-1.html

hypertext transfer protocol: //uk.reuters.com/business/quotes/companyProfile? symbol=SBRY.L

hypertext transfer protocol: //www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp? pageid=516

( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.tescoplc.com/plc/about_us/strategy/ )

hypertext transfer protocol: //www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp? pageid=12

THE PEST ANALYSIS

James and Akharaserani ( 1988 ) indicated that external phenomena have impact on internal 1s. By PEST, attending is paid to Political, Economic, Social and Technological ( PEST ) factors which could act upon positively or negatively on the growing or otherwise of the administration. The treatment below throws more light on these external issues of the administration.

Political

Harmonizing to Lancaster et Al ( 2002 p. 55 ) 'The political environment is the get downing point from which many other macro-environment forces originate. ' Tesco operates in a assortment of political environments ; the caput office being in the UK. The UK has a functional democracy with elections and multi-party political system. The USA has a similar democratic apparatus. The political factors in both states are stable and advance the growing of private endeavor. Most of the European markets are situated in Eastern portion and the markets are Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia and Turkey. The political factors here are non every bit stable as UK or USA. Asia is the largest market outside of the UK. It has presence in Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, China, and Japan. Of these Japan is rather stable. The most political jobs

are from Thailand where there is resistance from local concerns and so Tesco faces the biggest jobs here.

Economic

The UK and the US are both rich states even though faced with a recession at present. The East European markets are much poorer in comparing, but Lancaster et Al ( 2002 ) indicate that there is a monolithic betterment in the economic environment of the Far East with the likes of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and China. To predominate in the economic status of the Far East, Tesco has lowered its monetary values which are welcomed by the local population at that place.

Social

The societal construction in USA and UK are rather kindred where shopping in supermarkets has existed for a long clip. But for the Asiatic states, the construct is comparatively new. Turkey and Malaysia are both Muslim states ; hence their spiritual Torahs have to be taken into consideration by Tesco.

Technological

Measuring today 's engineering, Headrick ( 2009 ) says, it has brought the universe to a arresting promotion. It is in the visible radiation of this that Lancaster et Al ( 2002 ) set up that engineering is a really of import tool which has a immense impact on the selling house. By engineering, Japan, US, UK and Malaysia have similar installations. South Korea is besides strong in this respect. Siam might be the least technologically advanced of the markets. This is besides the instance with the East European markets. China has proficient capableness, but is chiefly limited to its metropoliss. But it can be said that the degree of engineering needed by Tesco in all these markets are available and therefore non much obstructions in this

country are anticipated.

THE VALUE CHAIN

The construct of value concatenation has been widely and intensively spoken about by sharp writers. The construct was propounded by Michael Porter. Explaining the value concatenation construct, Porter ( 1985 ) describes it as, 'A general model for believing strategically about the activities involved in any concern and measuring their comparative cost and function in distinction. ' Writing on the same construct, Longbottom ( 2006 ) intimated that information airing across the value concatenation has progressively become indispensable to administrations which want to remain in competition. To back up Longbottom 's averment, Dekker ( 2003 ) expressed that the importance of the value concatenation can non be over-emphasised as it grants the administration an chance to accomplish the upper limit.

Harmonizing to Porter ( 1985 ) the value concatenation has two major parts, viz. ; Primary and Support activities. He says the Primary activities are those straight linked with production. They are: Inbound logistics, Operations, Outbound logistics, Selling and Gross saless and Service. The Support or the Secondary activities he identified as: Procurement, Human Resources Management, Technology Development and the Firm 's Infrastructure.

Below is a presentation of how Tesco applies the value concatenation in its activities.

4.1 Primary Activities:

Inbound logistics

Tesco gets its stuffs from the providers who are largely the manufacturers and shops them in its terminal.

Operationss

Those that need to be turned into finished merchandises are processed as such

Outbound logistics

Tesco has trucks of different types which supply the assorted shops.

Selling and Gross saless

Tesco has assorted agencies of marketing its merchandises which include the application of the promotional mix bring forthing to run into the demands of the client

Service

Tesco has a path record of

supplying an outstanding service to clients, particularly after gross revenues. This is to happen out the feeling of the client after the use of the merchandise.

4.2 Support Activities:

Procurement

Tesco has been acquiring in touch with its providers without jobbers, therefore understating procurance cost in its purchases.

Human Resources Management

Tesco employs people who have the expertness and the committedness to function the company with all the trueness. Mention could be made of Terry who committed his concern acumen to Tesco for 14 old ages as Chief Executive Officer.

Technology Development

This is an country Tesco can non be beaten to it, as it has created a formidable e-commerce for its activities through Tesco.com

The Firm 's Infrastructure

In footings of substructure, Tesco has high category modern installations for its shops and broad parking topographic points in most of its shops.

INFORMATION SYSTEM/IT AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE TOOL FOR TESCO

Talking on the coming of engineering, Goessi ( 2008 ) expressed that 'Technology has taken the concern environment by storm. ' Throwing more visible radiation on that, Headrick ( 2009 ) intimated that due to engineering, there has been an inordinate menace to the concern environement. Gone are the yearss when every individual activity that was done in administrations was manual. In recent old ages, mechanization has taken concern to another degree and those administrations wishing to remain and draw a bead on ought to follow suit. The points discussed at a lower place would afford Tesco, the chance to derive competitory advantage.

Strategic Differentiation

Harmonizing to Hitt et Al ( 2009 ) a good IS would afford the administration to strategically distinguish itself to be competitively in front. In line with this, Tesco differentiates itself and

derive competitory advantage by offering particular services like nine cards to the client.

Integration of Supply and Distribution

Tesco could use IS as a tool to measure and track stock list. By that the supply concatenation could be monitored with minor jobs detected before they become major 1s.

Communication

The Information System being practised in the administration would find how expeditious information would be disseminated. A communicating system which is automated in nature would understate cost and better the image of Tesco as an administration.

Quick Decision Making

Information System paves manner for of import information to be delivered at the right clip. Any director who wants to do a speedy determination in the current concern dispensation should happen IS as an indispensable tool. This will supply the director to make a speedy appraisal on a bordering issue and happen a solution.

Decision

Tesco as an administration has made a enormous impact on the concern landscape. Even though it had gone through unsmooth times and still faces some competition which is inevitable in modern-day concern circles, Tesco has become a family name. With its public presentation in both the local and the international scenes, twosome with the huge technological incorporation, the sky could still be its bound as Goessi ( 2008 ) expressed, 'Many concerns today are still recognizing the power their engineering possesses, but one time strategic cognition is realised, the potency is eternal. '