Previously writing on company describing itself as “a leading producer and supplier of graphene nanoplatelets based products for use in consumer and industrial markets” Directa Plus (DCTA), in October with the shares up to 89.5p I concluded that its recent announcements and above £59 million market cap meant that I retained caution, still avoid/sell. The shares last closed at 83.8p but are currently falling well below 80p on the back of a “trading update”.

Diego Parrilla is an author, engineer and economist and a gold bug.

Parsley Box (MEAL) has seen its share price soar over the past couple of weeks on news that it is planning to delist, which seems rather strange as I can’t imagine all the PIs who have been buying actually want to be stuck holding this after it ceases trading on AIM.

The bounceback loan scheme of the then chancellor Rishi Sunak was meant to help small businesses suffering a covid hit to get access to funding to see them through.  As we taxpayers face the highest tax hit in 70 years let’s look at one worthy recipient, Mark Warde-Norbury, speaking to us from the stately home at Hooton Pagnell which has been in the family since 1704. Mark runs Marechale (MAC) a sub scale investment bank which snuck interims out just before lunchtime, allowing Mark time to shoot some wildlife and thrash a few peasants before he speaks to the great unwashed. 

Since I wrote about Tintra (TNT), its rule breaking and interim results on 27 October, it has busy with a few new announcements. Is this now a quarter of a billion dollar spoof?

On 7 October Argo Blockchain (ARB) announced a series of measures to raise $39.5 million and claimed that this would be enough to last 12 months. Now I have doubts about that claim but unfortunately a proposed $27 million placing fell through so where is the company now?

Yes. The share price. Up 30% at the start now 17% ahead at 5.4p.  That has changed. But anything else?

Ariana Resources (AAU) has announced “a tremendous enhancement for Tavsan, as construction continues on site” as this project is further progressed as a second 23.5% interest gold mining operation here.

Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB1) has issued a trading update noting adverse trading impact from the government’s recent manoeuvrings but also that its “re-financing opportunities from its client bank are at a record level for 2023… remains highly cash generative and retains a strong balance sheet”. So what of a now down towards 500p share price, £290 million market cap?

Describing itself as “a world leader in narrowband radio frequency mesh networks”, CyanConnode (CYAN) has issued a trading update and notice of results. So what do these tell us re. a last closing 13.25p share price, £31.9 million market cap?

Both Joshua and I are feeling dire so this is a very short bearcast covering Peel Hunt (PEEL) and the nomad/broker sector and Purplebricks (PURP), a zero after the latest housing data. Now back to bed.

Seed Innovations (SEED) was my exposure to cannabis and a jolly disastrous investment it has been. At 2.6p I am almost 80% out of the money. My feeling is that the cannabis bubble has burst and yesterday’s comment on CBD HERE has to be bad news. I cant bring myself to cut the loss although maybe I should.  But of the NAV is 8p as Ed Claims maybe I should hang on? A couple of weeks ago I exchanged emails with Seed boss Ed McDermott asking him if he was alright?

At Companies House, Iconic’s (ICON) status is now “Voluntary Arrangement” and the administrators filed their final report on 8 November 2022.  So Iconic its back under the control of its directors.

Previously writing on personal care, beauty and fragrance products company Creightons (CRL), in July with the shares around 40p on the back of full-year results I concluded that with it more than half way through the current half year I suggest it means those supply chain and inflationary pressures continuing to reduce earnings and, therefore, at this juncture still just on my watchlist. Now we have the half-year results... and the shares have currently responded more than 20% further lower to around 30p.

In its RNS yesterday Tern (TERN) provided various extracts from Wyld’s 3^rd quarter results for the period ended 30 September 2022.  The extracts focus heavily on positives such as the purchase orders now being received by Wyld.  If you look at the actuals published Wyld results it becomes apparent that it may take some time for these revenues to be reflected in the income statement as the following note to the accounts shows:

Previously writing on software for customer marketing company Pelatro (PTRO), in June with the shares at 27.75p I reviewed an AGM Statement, including asking what about the recent RNS Reach announcements & broker change?, concluding caveat emptor and continue to avoid. The shares last closed at just below 20p, but are currently much further lower towards a £6 million market cap on the back of a “trading update”.

Most of us like a bit of chocolate, and my personal top tip is the Taste The Difference J Sainsbury (SBRY) Ugandan 90% dark chocolate. Excellent taste, ESG friendly and does not cost you a fortune. But I have other financial and chocolate issues to discuss today as Hotel Chocolat Group (HOTC), a “premium British chocolate maker”, has announced its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 26th June 2022.

I start with the reason for no bearcast yesterday and end with my virtue signalling siblings lining up to be mugged. In between I look at Strix (KETL), Argo Blockchain (ARB), Chill Brands (CHILL), Cellular Goods (CBX) and the CBD pain myth exposed and also at Tomco (TOM) and Shield Therapeutics (STX) where I sense PL will be apologising to the master soon.

Kettle safety controls and other water temperature components group Strix (KETL) commences an announcement today that it “is pleased to announce… completed the acquisition of Billi” and also includes that it “continues to maintain its strong market share position in Kettle Controls and is outperforming the market in the Appliance and Water categories. In addition, Strix has a strong balance sheet”. So what of a current share price response to 78p...more than 37% down!?

With a majority of just 834 Tory MP, almost, lifelong career politician, Andrew Bowie is probably already trying to find secure employment for after 2024 when he loses his seat. If so he was in the wrong place yesterday as, as a junior export minister, he pitched up to meet the blubbery lardball that is Neill Ricketts, the loathsome boss of Versarien (VRS) which is set to run out of money by Christmas.  It won't be in a position to make him a NED come 2024. From the winner of a reality TV show 21 years ago to a Tory MP who is not even a household name in his own household, Versarien sure pulls in the all the big stars.