Global bond markets have declared that inflation is now on the rise but the data does not yet point firmly to this conclusion, if anything it is suggesting that the low trend in place since the financial crisis may linger for a while longer yet. But what the U.S. bond market is reacting to is a different kind of worry, notably trillions of dollars worth of extra debt supply to digest from a U.S. administration that has cast aside fiscal restraint with tax cuts and new spending, just as Quantitative Tapering kicks in as the Federal Reserve sells debt back to the markets at an ever increasing pace. For all the optimism about a global economic upturn in which an exceptionally long list of countries are expanding at the same time, the two biggest central banks are due to be operating completely opposing policies this year.

An “Update” announcement from Kin Group (KIN) - this after a late 2017 bailout, dilution almost to oblivion, confetti issuance extraordinaire and the company already then on the clock with regards to a transaction representing a reverse takeover under AIM rules…

Following a company chat with Ariana Resources (AAU), I thought I would report back on a few things which came up...

Cairn Energy (CNE) is one of a number of oil producers which look to be unloved by the market currently, but I would expect that to change in the future. In recent years the company has had impressive amounts of reserves on its book, but has now moved to the stage where it is producing from several of those fields, and with more to come in the near future.

Hello, Share Soupers. The fear of increasing interest rates here and in the US caused the recent glitch in share values. But it’s not been fully realised that such hikes will help the balance sheets of British banks. So with the year’s results for Lloyds Group (LLOY) expected on Thursday, allow me to make the case for investing in this under-estimated bank.

If you were dumb enough to own shares in the fraud Cloudtag (CTAG) before it was booted off the AIM casino you will swallow any old horse. If proof was needed of this two investors, from the Shareholders Group committee, met with the company's CEO Amit Ben Haim and its IR man Jamie Bligh on 13 February. The minutes are a hoot and can be accessed below.

The image below was tweeted to me earlier. Don't tell anyone but I am only human and my skin is not really that thick. But the sentiment is appreciated.

In this pre hovel visit podcast I look at the Envy ratio, life inside a bubble, a dying industry (news) and reflections on Luke Johnson's thoughts of today and our past shared experiences.

On Friday I asked you which of the four American pictured below was the odd one out and why. The Yanks were: Tricky Dicky Nixon, Crooked Hillary Clinton, Lyin' Ted Cruz and Julie "Praise The Lord" Meyer MBE on whom there will be more next week following weekend conversations with folks in Malta. As you can see HERE there were many good answers but the winner is...

I started the year with a light-hearted look at a few value-generating AIM yarns that appear to have a lot in common with the Loch Ness Monster as there is some doubt as to whether they are ever going to be seen. It feels like monthly updates are appropriate and it’s been a busy start of the year for some of these AIM yetis.

I’ve been banging on occasionally about how AIM-listed Bowleven seems to offer value. I suspect that we will be off to the races shortly, for some detail of an appraisal drilling campaign in its 20%-owned Etinde field has been announced – and the company is carried through this campaign.

I would urge anyone interested in these Woodford stock stories to read the sister Norwegian piece relating to Thin Film Electronics first as the similarities are astounding but it is worth covering Idex in its full glory. Yet another horror show.

Bearcasts again dominate our top 10. Podcasts are dominating the iTunes chart. The daily NY Times podcast is now being syndicated to radio. There is something happenening in this space. And really, when you consider it, is there much conceptually different between a broadcast station and a webpage. Webpages have heretofore been static, but they are not regulated and much more freedom of subject matter.

I take issue with Malcolm's article of earlier. today His complacency really does reek of mad bull disease. I discuss that and how I am wearing a T-shirt in 17 degree heat - are you jealous?  Then I move onto UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) the looming, I sense, not good news from Broadford Bridge, its very real financial crisis and how the shares could well be sub 1p by March. I think Lucian was generous in his earlier article.

Rick Rule of Sprott reminds us all how the Trump administration stated that a weaker dollar would be helpful. Younger generations will bear the decision to provide the boomer generation with 1.5 trillion dollars in tax cuts. The interim spending bill will add 300 billion dollars to this year’s budget as well as considerable commitments to funding infrastructure with no mention of where the money will originate. The US dollars weakness can be summed up in this saying, “When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall.”

Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has announced a first delivery from a new Thai entity it’s setup and that “once the trading model is running smoothly Wishbone Gold will engage with the Thai authorities to roll out the artisanal model”…

Last year I was involved in two rollercoaster rides, UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) and Cloudtag (CTAG). Having called UK Oil a sell at 3.1p, I saw it go to 11p. As I write it is sub 3p. In July when it was around 6p I used a WW2 analogy and suggested that the army of bulls had reached Stalingrad. To continue the theme it is looking like Berlin is all but surrounded.

If only I was not in Greece, I would be sorely tempted to head along to an evening of free booze hosted by the Sith Lord Zak Mir and the disgusting piece of Northern slum vermin that is Richard "Gollum" Gill. Seriously it could be fun.

Way back in November 2016 I first commented on the fiasco at AIM-listed Milestone Group which eventually saw then CEO Deborah White handed a black bag. This was the placing, first announced in October 2016, where the £1.25 million of cash never arrived and which the company sat on news of non-payment until it ‘fessed up on the day Donald Trump won the Presidency. It was a good day to bury bad news – but as ever, ShareProphets was watching. Well, the cash STILL hasn’t arrived, even on the much reduced 10p in the £ compromise terms announced on 22 January this year and I think the company has again been tardy in passing on the news.

Okay this is easy. The four famous yanks are Tricky Dicky Nixon, crooked Hillary Clinton, Lyin' Ted Cruz and Praise the Lord Julie Meyer. In the comments section below simply say who is the odd yank out and why. The deadline is midnight Saturday as we would not want you labouring on the Lord's Day. Don't hold back...