A strangely timed (8:01am) “Trading Update” from technology group “specialising in solutions for the capture, management and delivery of high quality video for the broadcast and surveillance and public safety markets”, Vislink (VLK). Hmmm…

Thanks for the messages about the family issues - hence the lack of bearcast yesterday. There will be other days like that in the next few weeks. I start with a look at Vislink (VLK) where I imagine no-one has any sympathy for the greedy bastards in charge. Then I try to explain why it is never "different this time" as I look at three bubbles bursting: tech, commercial and residential property and I discuss Cloudtag (CTAG) in the midst of that.

Optibiotix (OPTI) has this week served up news which should help make we shareholders richer in the medium term. But it is NOT the news punters wanted and the shares trade at 79p-80p.

The sort of folk who not only believe every word that the war criminals Blair and Straw say about Iraq but are also lobbying the BBC to have Chris Evans appointed as the new presenter of Top Gear, are heavily concentrated on the shareholder list at Cloudtag (CTAG), an AIM listed company that is almost insolvent and whose valuation is a joke. Its shareholders are possibly the stupidest folks I have encountered on twitter with the possible exception of the England soccer team.

The new board at Nyota Minerals (NYO) has published a corporate update which is dire as far as it goes but the most important fact, the one that really matters, is missing. That is to say, Nyota does not say just how little cash is left. Was this an accidental oversight by dozy Nomad Roland "Fatty" Cornish or was Nyota just afraid that the truth would prompt another sell off of the shares? Its too late to find out for today as it is just past eleven to Fatty is right now waddling off to start his four course luncheon.

Having on 18th May been “pleased to provide” a trading update, “delighted to announce several new client wins” and “look(ing) forward to updating the market further at the time of the group's full year results”, security systems provider Newmark (NWT) today just “provides” a trading update. Uh oh…

Dave "Rule breaker" Whitby and his colleagues at AIM Listed Piece of Turkish Andalas Energy (ADL) are on the spoof again with a ramptastic RNS saying nothing at all of of any interest whatsoever. Folks know Whitby's game and the shares are off at just 0.165p because what is really happening is the start of the ramping that proceeds a deeply discounted placing. Next up a soft interview with Zak "Judas" Mir, a podcast with Justin the clown or a presentation at a Proactive seminar? Perhaps a buy note from Edison? We have seen the Andalas ramp before and surely no-one is stupid enough to buy it again?

When you invest and trade based on value as you see it at the time, that can quickly change, and even with companies that you have a lot of faith in there can come a time when they can start to look expensive.

There were a massive 28 entries for yesterday's Getafix caption contest! I cannot think what aroused such interest but perhaps you might get an idea HERE. Anyway there is a joint winner and today Malcolm has sent us yet another selfie from his hols...do your worst in the comments section below with a suitable caption. Now to yesterday's caption for the photo of Malcolm with the stunning partially clad young lady.

K3 Business Technology (KBT) has announced an initial £1.27 million and up to £1.45 million acquisition of Merac Ltd, a provider of an electronic point-of-sale and management system for the visitor attractions and leisure sector…

Having IPO’d in April, brick and other masonry products producer, Forterra (FORT) has updated that “profit for the first half is in line with management's expectations”, but that “given current economic uncertainty and sufficient brick inventory levels, the board has reviewed the current production plan...”

Provider of support vessels to the offshore oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has released an “Operational and Trading Update” commencing that clients in the Middle East are “seeking cost efficiencies as a result of the challenging low oil price environment”. Uh oh…

We previously flagged that the "Dutch Auction" tender offer by an un-named client of Pareto Securities for the senior secured bonds of AIM-listed Igas Energy (IGAS) might present a bit of a threat to shareholders. We've now had the result of the tender offer...

UK housebuilder Persimmon (PSN) has emphasised that “trading through the first half of the year has been strong” and that “we believe… the UK housing market will continue to provide good opportunities”. Hmmm...

In gold bull cycles, the junior mining companies represent the highest possible returns, especially for investors positioned early in a cycle. Commentator David Skarica believes that the next 6 to 12 months is a great time to position yourself. Historically, moves in the junior miner move between 3-5 years, and we are only 6 months into the current move! If you enter these cheap stocks right now, and invest in 20 or 30 companies, 5 or 6 of them will probably blast off, providing exceptional returns.

Minoan (MIN) had announced that the final hearing which would - we all expect - dismiss the final appeal against the Presidential Decree for the Cave Sidero site was to be on 4 July. But this is Greece. We are now told:

The Gym Group (GYM), the low-cost gym operator currently rolling out across the UK, has issued a strong trading update this morning which shows forward momentum continuing and providing further fuel for the growth thesis here.

Yesterday's holiday snap from Getafix generated 17 possible captions. The most innacurate, from Backwoodsman, suggested that Malcolm burying his cash in the ground might be his worst investment decision. No way. Surely buying LGO shares was worse. At least there is a slim chance of getting your cash back out of the hole. But Backwoodsman also served up the winner. You can see all 17 entries HERE. Today Malcolm's snap suggests the old rogue has got very lucky. Do your worst.

Having sold on the Nifty Fifty subscription site last year at above 100p, the following updates on Plastics Capital (PLA) with the shares currently at 93p following results for its year ended 31st March 2016…

Hargreaves Services (HSP) crosses the radar today on the back of a trading update ahead of full-year results which are set to be released in August. This fuels and logistics group has seen a tremendous collapse in its share price over the past several years, but it looks as if it may have now reached “value” territory.