If you are thinking of moving any long-term savings, get some advice on whether a SIPP would be an appropriate option for you.
With bank interest rates at such low levels, and Government gilt yields very low there are quite a few opting to move some of their investments into safe shares. In my case I’m moving some of my share holdings into a SIPP.
Take proper advice from a professional.
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Category Archives: shares
Zurker
Friday quicky
Join Zurker and take a share in their success.
http://www.zurker.co.uk/i-4352-dkheenejrz
Sareum – cancer drugs orally – shares to watch
Sareum was one of last years biggest risers on the AIM part of the London Stock market, the rise came from its announcement on its progress in developing several cancer drugs.
Sareum has recently announced it will announce results to the market on 27th February, see link below.
http://www.sareum.co.uk/pressreleases.php?newsid=159
The company’s site http://www.sareum.co.uk/
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Please read my warning elsewhere on my blog, please take proper advice before buying or selling any shares.
Shares – Four recovery plays or four doomed to disappear ? You decide
Tickers for the four shares are PVCS, PFD, CRND & CSLT
PV CRYSTALOX SOLAR PLC ORD 2P
Some of our customers have reduced production in response to the weak market conditions and accordingly the Group now expects full year shipment volumes to be in the range 360-390MW. This is broadly flat in comparison with the 378MW shipped the previous year but below the 400-450MW indicated at the time of our interim results on 18 August 2011.
In light of these market conditions the Board has resolved to take appropriate actions to manage the business through these difficult times and to conserve the Group’s cash. In the short term the Group intends to reduce production output at its UK ingot and German wafer operations. The Board also intends to suspend production temporarily at its polysilicon facility in Bitterfeld, Germany. Regrettably these actions will lead to significant job losses in the UK and short time working in Germany. In addition the Group will continue to have discussions with its suppliers in order to reduce costs and will continue to seek further methods of achieving greater efficiencies within the Group’s operations.
As a result of the lower volumes, the intense pricing pressure, and the associated inventory write-downs the Group now expects to incur an operating loss for the full year. The Group continues to review the carrying value of assets, and the result would be a significant non-cash impairment at the year-end, if market conditions persist.
The Group’s cash position remains positive and the above measures have been instigated to minimise cash outflows, and the Group expects to have a healthy cash balance at the end of the year. Whilst the market conditions are currently difficult, the Board’s actions are a necessary response, designed to preserve the capabilities within the business. The Group continues to believe that the medium-term outlook for solar installations remains positive and in the importance of protecting the Group’s capabilities and cash for the future. The Group continues to review industry conditions on an ongoing basis.
CENTRAL RAND GOLD LIMITED ORD 1P
| SUSPENSION OF DECISION TO cancel mining rightRe-commencement of Central Rand GOld’s mining operations |
The Minister of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa (“the Minister”) has consented to the temporary suspension of her decision to cancel the mining right granted to Ferreira Estate and Investment Company Limited (“FEIC”), the registered holder of Central Rand Gold’s mining right under departmental reference number GP30/5/1/1/2/140MR (“Mining Right”).
The suspension of the Minister’s decision to cancel the Mining Right, which is welcomed by the management and staff of Central Rand Gold, is effective immediately and is enforced in terms of the order of court (“the Order”) granted by the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria (“High Court”) on 24 October 2011. A copy of the Order is available for download from the Company’s website: www.centralrandgold.com (“website”).
The effect of the Order means that mining operations can immediately be resumed as an interim arrangement while Central Rand Gold, on behalf FEIC, pursues final relief in the High Court to review and set aside the Minister’s decision to cancel the Mining Right pursuant to a notice delivered to FEIC on 22 September 2011. These review proceedings have already been instituted against the Minister and her departmental co‑respondents, as advised in the announcement dated 13 October 2011.
The Minister and her co-respondents have given notice of their intention to oppose the review application, which must take its course in terms of part B of the Notice of Motion, which is also available for download from the Company’s website.
FEIC is currently awaiting the record of proceedings before the Minister (“record”) which resulted in her decision to cancel the Mining Right, together with such reasons therefore. The aforesaid record and reasons, which the Minister is required by law or may desire to give, must be dispatched within 15 court days of the above Order.
After receipt of the record, FEIC will have an opportunity to supplement its founding papers. Thereafter, the Minister and her co-respondents will become obliged to deliver their answering affidavits within 10 court days after receipt of these amended founding papers.
Further updates regarding the status of the litigation will be announced upon each material milestone leading up to a hearing date and the final outcome of the proceedings.
Update 16th January 2012 Price has now recovered to 1p plus, and mining rights have been restored. See link below.
PREMIER FOODS PLC ORD 1P
We have established five key priorities for the business in the short-term:
1. Agree re-financing plan.
We are in constructive dialogue with the banks both to maintain appropriate headroom against our banking covenants and put in place refinancing facilities beyond their current maturity of December 2013.
2. Invest behind 8 ‘Power Brands’.
We have identified 8 ‘Power Brands’ that we feel have the best growth prospects going forward. These are Ambrosia, Batchelor’s, Bisto, Hovis, Loyd Grossman, Mr.Kipling, Oxo and Sharwood’s. By focusing our resources behind these brands, we will drive the future growth of the Group.
3. Improve sales and marketing execution.
We will move away from concentrating too much on short-term tactical trading activities. We will work more collaboratively with our customer partners to deliver category growth through greater and more focused product innovation, improved in-store marketing, promotional planning and other brand-building initiatives.
4. Reduce the size of our portfolio.
To enable us to focus our resources on our 8 Power Brands, we will actively seek to dispose of businesses. This will also allow us to deleverage.
5. Right-size and reduce our cost base.
As a consequence of reducing the scope of our business, we will significantly exceed the £20m cost saving target by 2013 that we announced at the Half Year.
Further details about future plans will be shared in early 2012 at our Full Year results presentation.
Q3 Trading Update
Our performance in Q3 has been significantly below expectations. While market trends have improved, we have under-performed versus the market. Our volumes have yet to fully recover from the slower than expected re-building of in-store presence following a customer dispute earlier in the year. Additionally, the Q3 promotional programme has not delivered the results expected, reflecting an intensely competitive consumer environment. In the three months to 30 September 2011, Group sales were £477m, down 3.6% on the prior year. Volumes were down 8.0% in the quarter with price and mix contributing 4.4%. This represents a loss of market share of around 1.9pp in value and 2.1pp in volume. Premier Foods’ non-branded sales were up 1.2%, whereas branded sales were down 6.0% reflecting a market shift towards non-branded products.
Update for 11 November.
Having recently reported that banks are listening and with stakes bought from Norway, the SP has risen dramatically.
Looks like this one could survive.
COSALT PLC ORD 1P
Cosalt plc
(” Cosalt” or “the Group”)
TRADING UPDATE
The Board of Cosalt announces that the Group’s trading for the year to 31 December 2011 is expected to be significantly lower than the Board’s previous expectations.
The delayed sale of the Marine division earlier in the year and the resulting pressure on cashflow has had an adverse effect on the margins of its Offshore Division (both in the UK and in Norway) and has also delayed the rollout of the South East contract in the Group’s Workwear division. The Board has instigated a full review of the Group’s operations and future funding requirements, which is ongoing.
The Group’s lenders have been made aware of the position, although on the basis of the findings to date, the Group is not in breach of its banking covenants as tested at 30 September 2011. The Board will continue to update the market as necessary.
Update 17th November
Derisory offer from None Executive Chairman
The Board of Cosalt confirms that it has received an approach from Mr. David Ross, the Company’s Non-executive Chairman, which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire issued share capital of the Company. In the context of the continuing difficulties facing the Company and the challenging funding environment, Mr Ross believes that the Company may be more readily recapitalised and moved forward as a private business and has indicated that he would be prepared to pay 0.1 pence for each ordinary share in issue. Mr Ross has also confirmed his ongoing support for the Company, in which Mr Ross’s family has had an interest for over 50 years, and is currently providing debt funding to the Company alongside Cosalt’s banking partners. Mr Ross has also indicated that should an offer be put forward and he acquire control of Cosalt, it is his intention to provide additional capital investment to expand the Group’s existing businesses for the benefit of the Group’s customers and other stakeholders.
Full text included in the link below.
Offer has been increased but shareholders are still unhappy http://www.savecosalt.co.nr/
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Investing Strategies, impatience and manners
Since I decided again to invest in and sometimes to trade in the stock market it has been interesting to see how much froth and volatility there is on todays markets.
I’m going to just dive in and waffle, see if it all makes sense to you.
Firstly there seems a massive impatience towards quick success, almost as if there is no real acknowledgement of success unless you managed to make it in the day, or in the next hour, next few seconds. There appears a massive NOW NOW NOw, otherwise you failed.
Next there seems a lack of respect for other people’s opinions and other people’s capital. The common practice of renting other people’s capital to sell it short and thereby reduce its value is the snide face of capitalism that cares not for others. A link on how to avoid it may help if you were unaware your online broker was doing this with your shares.
How to reduce the chance of your shares being short sold.
If you are looking to buy a stock it is worth looking at how many shorts are already taken up on the stock. What follows next is a fairly useful link to shorting of shares. Most normal EPIC, tickers can be found through this site. If it runs into millions the chances are that the price is unlikely to rise in the near term very much. Link follows.
Using the upper link, compare Microsoft MSFT with its 8.38 billion shares to Thomas Cook TCG 875 million shares, and you’ll quickly see there are a greater percentage of shares rented out on TCG 80M (at time of writing) than on MSFT 40M. This means short sellers are happy to sell TCG expecting the price to fall later, when they then buy your rented share back and replace it. During that time your holding has been driven down in value, normally without your knowledge.
So allowing for these things what can you do to ensure life is better dealt with the way you would like?
Firstly, accept that there is a widespread manipulation of shares by organisations with much more capital than you. So only risk capital that you can afford to lose, or more likely see a reduction in its value in the short-term. Next take advice, but make sure the person giving the advice knows how to succeed in the stock market.
If you are going to use search to check out a company be aware that it can be manipulated, try using several search engines.
I’m going to sign off for now.
As ever, Simon Hamer
IPSO Ventures – one to watch – EPIC:IPS
In August all three Directors bought shares.
http://finance.optonline.net/optonline/?GUID=19391670&Page=MEDIAVIEWER
Total Market Capitalisation only about £1Million
Yesterdays announcement means there could be a review of the company’s value.
Contents of the link are copied below.
RNS ANNOUNCEMENT
For immediate release 15 September 2011
THERAKIND PRODUCT UPDATE
EU grants approval for Buccolam®
IPSO Ventures plc (“IPSO”), the creator of commercial value from technology, is pleased to report that further to the announcement on 1st July 2011 regarding Therakind, IPSO’s portfolio company, and Buccolam® the European Commission has now granted approval for Buccolam® for the treatment of prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents from 3 months to less than 18 years.
This approval has triggered a further milestone payment for Therakind. Therakind is expected to also receive royalties on sales of this product as Viropharma is now able to actively market this product across Europe.
IPSO has a 36% shareholding in Therakind.
Further information, please contact:
| IPSO Ventures plcNick Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer | Tel: 020 7921 2990nick@ipsoventures.comwww.ipsoventures.com |
| Allenby Capital Limited(Nominated adviser and broker)Nick NaylorNick Athanas | Tel: 020 3328 5656 |
Company description
IPSO Ventures plc is a business creator and active investor in new technologies, principally in the renewable energy and healthcare sector. Its experienced management team focuses on adding commercial value to enable young companies to move forward rapidly.
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Please see the financial disclaimer elsewhere on my blog, and take advice from professional advisers before investing in shares.
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Update, it is worth noting that Ipso has several other subsidiary companies, or close allies mentioned on their website, Axilica, Medermica, Polyfect Solutions, IPSoL Energy and WildKnowledge. Here’s the link.
Bull Market – Gut feeling
I have just looking at my share portfolio.
5 up in price, 6 are level and 9 are down in price, at 16.09 on Thursday 21 July 2011.
Reviewed all shares prospects mentally in my head. Yes, I may have one or two badly judged purchases. Overall my assessment, is that all have good prospects, and I had this rare overwhelming feeling of a ” bull ” stock market investor.
Thought I’d record it, let’s just see if this is the day the markets started a long bull run, or am I just talking bull.
Time will tell.
Have a great Friday everyone.
Financial disclaimer
I’m a private investor, do not rely upon my expertise to make a decision to invest, or sell shares. This blog document should not be relied upon as being an impartial or objective assessment of the subject matter and is not deemed to be “independent research” for the purposes of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) rules. As a consequence the research (a) has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research; and (b) is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
This blog document has been issued by Simon Hamer for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any specific entity. Simon Hamer and/or connected persons may, from time to time, have positions in, make a market in and/or effect transactions in any investment or related investment mentioned herein and may provide financial services to the issuers of such investments. The information contained herein is based on materials and sources that we believe to be reliable, however, Simon Hamer makes no representation or warranty, either express or implied, in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein.
Opinions expressed are my current opinions as of the date appearing on this material only. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and I am under no obligation to update the information contained herein. None of Simon Hamer, his affiliates or associates shall have any liability whatsoever for any indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from any use of this document.
This document has been prepared independently of the Company and has not been prepared by, at the instigation of or by arrangement with, the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees. The opinions, forecasts and judgements herein should not be attributed to the Company.
Simon Hamer has no authority whatsoever to give any information or may any representation or warranty on behalf of the Company or any other person in connection with any share offering or otherwise. Readers are reminded that any decision by an investor to subscribe or acquire shares in the Company shall be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Circular and or the public domain.
In the UK, this report is directed at and is for distribution only to persons who (i) fall within Article 19(1) (persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments) or Article 49(2) (a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotions) Order 2005 (as amended) . This report must not be acted on or relied up on by persons in the UK.
Neither this report nor any copy of part thereof may be distributed in any other jurisdictions where its distribution may be restricted by law and persons into whose possession this report comes should inform themselves about, and observe any such restrictions. Distribution of this report in any such other jurisdictions may constitute a violation of UK or US securities law, or the law of any such other jurisdictions.
Investments in general involve some degree of risk, including the risk of capital loss. The services, securities and investments discussed in this document may not be available to or suitable for all investors. Investors should make their own investment decisions based upon their own financial objectives and financial resources and, if in any doubt, should seek advice from an investment advisor. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and an investor may not get back the amount originally invested. Where investment is made in currencies other than the investor’s base currency, movements in exchange rates will have an effect on the value, either favourable or unfavourable. Levels and bases for taxation may change. When Simon Hamer comments on AIM or PLUS Markets shares investors should be aware that because the rules for those markets are less demanding than the Official List of the London Stock Exchange the risks are higher. Furthermore, the marketability of these shares is often restricted.
Simon Hamer and/or his associated companies may from time-to-time provide investment advice or other services to, or solicit such business from, any of the companies referred to in this document. Accordingly, information may be available to Simon Hamer that is not reflected in this material and he may have acted upon or used the information prior to or immediately following its publication. In addition, Simon Hamer, the partners, directors and employees thereof and/or any connected persons may have an interest in the securities, warrants, futures, options, derivatives or other financial instrument of any of the companies referred to in this document and may from time-to-time add or dispose of such interests. Neither the whole nor any part of this material may be duplicated in any form or by any means. Neither should any of this material be redistributed or disclosed to anyone without the prior consent of Simon Hamer.
Start of my Investor’s (not trader’s) Blog
After a long time away, I think the time is right to revisit the stock market.
http://simonhamer.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/financial-disclaimer/
Oil prices unrealistically high in the long-term.
Banks with their wings clipped, from gambling and abusing their customers…. we hope.
Everyone sees only the doom and gloom, but there are real growth stories out there with new businesses thriving.
We still need to eat, cloth ourselves and we will have to start looking at our lives and its effects on the planet, unless we just want ourselves on the planet and very little else.
So where to go… to invest …. my choices are roughly, green, echo, obesity, finance, safety, pharma, house building, travel, recovery, web, digital and telecoms.
Purchase 1. Where to start, with all the news on terrorism, bomb threats and the need to saving the use of resources, I’m going to seek out a glass supplier that protects from bomb blasts, but has also the ability to reduce heat loss, or reduce excessive heat in buildings and is small enough to move up in price substantially with a good new contract. Hmmmm … but to progress it is still important that they are already recognised as a quality supplier, so they must already have good contracts in the bag.
So this is a blatant ramp. Here’s the company http://www.pentagonprotection.com
All I need now is for the company to get another large break through contract to get the company a rerating.
They already have a contract from the Police and a contract from the EU.
I’m in no hurry, I’ve now bought the shares, now I await the transformational contract(s), or the purchase by takeover from a bigger company.
Just spotted that they do Bomb threat training. Got a feeling this will be very popular in London with the 2012 Olympics rapidly approaching. To quote from SDS site (part of the group)
“The X-Ray systems you recently supplied are a revelation as far as our work is concerned. I attended a particularly difficult suspect package the other day and took eight shots of it before I could fully identify what I was looking at. The fantastic thing was, that I could do it all without moving from where the computer was located and of course, no film, so no consumables. It is now a pleasure to take x-rays.”
Head of the Counter Terrorist Wing at Thames Valley Police
http://www.sdsgroupltd.co.uk/training/low-risk-training
Update 24th May 2011
New contract in the USA. $300,000
Update today – looking good
