Last week I warned that markets were ripe for a big tumble in the face of, quoting Alan Greenspan (former head of the US Federal Reserve), irrational exuberance and that according to our favourite technical analyst Jordan Roy-Byrne of TheDailyGold.com gold and gold stocks were likely to offer a great buying opportunity. Well, here we are a week later and markets are down but there is a long way to go, and gold hasn’t gone anywhere……except the mining stocks have, and look set for a rebound.

Here are six long reads that have nothing to do with shares. Put the kettle on, find a comfy chair. You have the time, don't you?  

On more than one occasion both Tom Winnifrith and I have commented that Steve Sanderson is over-paid. It’s a claim we have both made, but neither have us put demonstrable evidenced numbers to that. I thought it was about time to substantiate and quantify just how much larger Steve Sanderson’s trouser pockets are compared to his peers, in celebration of Tom Winnifrith's virtual walk to Horse Hill yesterday.

This has nothing to do with shares or investing or anything. It's the end of the weekend and we've organised a quick pub quiz. Grab your own beer, there are no prizes, and for Pete's sake, no Googling! Only I get to do that. If you are so inclined, please enter your score in the comments. The highest score still won't get a prize.

Columbus Energy Resources (CERP) “is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-share merger with Bahamas Petroleum Company” (BPC). Shares in Columbus are at 1.95p in response - which includes comparing to 1.125p, for example, when we suggested it worth an average down buy in April - but we’re not pleased...

The most read non-Tom article this week is Commercial property update: Intu's on standby, Workspace believes by Chris Bailey is at a thrilling number three or number nine including Bearcasts and Tom's new shareshow.

That's 33.3 miles in a pandemic. He started at 4.40 AM and finished at 7.10 PM. At the start of lap 44 the heavens opened and for the final lap - as the rain eased - Joshua and Tom's wfe joined the walk, if only for at a celebratory prosecco. We're at 98% of the £48,000 needed to save Woodlarks if you include Gift Aid. Your final contributions will make the difference - we need just £750 more. Please be generous here.

Regular readers will know my long-term negative view on Cineworld (CINE). Was it really December 2017 that I first penned some caution on the name?...Yes it was as you can read here. Even with the recent comedy bounce, the shares are still down two-thirds in value since then which is not too shabby. So what to think now?...

The following video is self explanatory. Please find a minute or two to watch it and then, if you have not already given, to donate to Woodlarks as Tom walks for 33.3 miles in the Welsh rain today. You can donate HERE

The seemingly never-ending Wagnerian Opera of ShareProphets AIM-China Filthy Forty group Walcom (WALG) and its lack of a bailout director loan to avoid a one-way trip to the liquidator’s office saw the latest deadline yesterday pass without a statement. Oh dear: has the curtain finally come down?...

After a picnic lunch with the family: the 30th lap, only 15 to go...this is from the far edge of the second river field, a marshy area where the shocking wildlife diversity will be revealed tomorrow.

I start with a few reflections on the widening gap between the real economy and the stockmarket. Then I ask you to consider how lucky you are as I discuss Woodlarks and what it does and why it matters. As you listen I am walking 33.3 miles to save Woodlarks. If you have donated I thank you. If not we are so close to getting the £48,000 needed to save the camp. Please, please donate HERE.

By 9am this morning he had completed 17 laps, having set off at 4.40am. The Mrs provided coffee and a bacon sandwich. Only 28 laps to go.

Cynical Bear had a great run following the shenanigans at Standard-Listed Challenger Acquisitions (CHAL) as it failed to see its ‘wonder-investment’ in the New York Wheel generate anything other than massive losses and red faces all round. But things seem to have taken a turn for the better - at least in entertainment terms - following the arrival of that fine duo of Jonathan Tidswell and - perhaps Lucky Lord this time - George Lucan. If only the balance sheet wasn’t such a mess……

From the FCA's spreadsheet of short positions required to be disclosed to it, the following shows the shorted AIM shares with positions from 2019 and thus far in 2020 (by net short position %, those in bold not on the list at the start of 2020) – and if this position has increased (red), reduced (green) or remained unchanged (black) since last week...

Hello, Share Screamers. So British GDP fell by a fifth in April. My only surprise about that is to have expected a much bigger fall. With the news outlets determined to put the frighteners on beleaguered share-owners like us, it’s also a wonder that the Footsie is fighting back. But not to we veteran traders who’ve seen it all before...

PetroTal Corp (PTAL) has updated the market today, and as expected has undertaken a placing to shore up the working capital position. The detail reveals how far this company has moved from “debt free” to an indebted producer. The lack of 2019 accounts, and details provided demonstrate just how knackered the finances are.

Retailer of arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery TheWorks (WRKS) has updated including “the company plans to re-open 465 stores across England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next week and will look to re-open its remaining stores in Scotland and Wales as soon as possible thereafter” and “the board continues to be confident in The Works' proposition and the re-opening of its stores significantly improves its trading outlook”… and the shares have currently responded higher to 26.4p...

I start with a few thoughts on history as I chat at length to my old teacher. Then it is onto the campaign to scrub Joshua's hero, Chase, from history. Finally I discuss what I shall be doing in, I fear, the rain from 4.30 AM tomorrow. If you have yet to donate to rogue bloggers for Woodlarks please do so as we are now wiothin spitting distance of raising enough to ensure it survives. Please give just a tenner with gift aid ( or more) HERE.  Then I look at US Covid 19 data at Avacta (AVCT) where there is a dual threat to the share price and at Novacyt (NCYT) where implosion is accelerating. Finally a detailed look at IQE (IQE). 

Sound Energy (SOU) limps on. Dracula is still a consultant as the company tries to sell its main asset to a bidder which has no money. Without such a disposal – and I am sure you can spot the flow in this “cunning plan” - the company will be unable to pay its debts as they fall due and will almost certainly go bust. So, what of another hound in Dracula’s kennels, Echo Energy (ECHO), which reported its results today a headline loss of $10 million is pretty good going.