Alasdair Macleod, Head of Research For GoldMoney kicks off with the Fed’s levels of reverse repos and quantitative easing of 120 billion a month. Since the banks can’t absorb all the extra liquidity-seeking returns, he points out that the Fed must step into the market.

You my recall that I sold my holding in the bus and rail company FirstGroup (FGP) about three months ago after it had announced that it was selling its US business at a decent – but not too exciting – price. It was certainly time to book a small profit and move on. A month or so later I was observing that a UK National Rail Contracts agreement may have also helped keep its day-to-day bus and rail business going, but its ability to make reasonable continuing profits over the next few years was pretty limited. Clearly that all continues as whilst it may be the so-called ‘Freedom Day’, life is a little bit different.

It is not what you think!

Hello, Share Shapers. It’s likely that in times of trouble, insurance companies are as safe a bet as any big company. That’s because when people become nervous of the future, they insure their lives and property more energetically. And you cannot get more uncertain than the on/off menace of Covid-19.

In a short podcast, I look at why our leaders are the laughing stock of the world and also at the M&A Activities of big tobacco. What exactly would the puritans demand?

I noted, the other day, the joys of teaching Joshua to read. A is for Apple, B is for Bear etc. Reader R has an alternative alphabet though, I suspect, the Mrs would not approve of either of his suggested C’s.

Back in May here, I observed that the Irish international sales, marketing and support services group DCC (DCC) was a buy on ‘a bad day below the current sixty quid share price’.  And so I did a few weeks ago. So following a numbers update on Friday, am I still excited?

This is pretty clear. Even the woke dullards at the FCA should be able to sort this out with one phone call demanding that Wildcat Petroleum (WCAT) produce its bank records from 30 December 2020 to 31 January 2021 or maybe later. I have sent the letter below.

Gold closed this week at $1812 – up a notch from last week’s $1808. That’s a fourth weekly gain in a row, which is good, but given that the price peaked at over $1830 it’s a bit of a disappointment. The surge was in reaction to yet another set of US inflation data well above expectations, but the response was short-lived.

Sit back, get your G&T, I made this Lemon/Basil Gin with the basil from the garden and it was pretty good, I suggest that you make the effort – and post your scores in the comments for bouquets and brickbats. No prizes and no Googling!

Here are five long reads that have nothing to do with shares apaert from one that is. Put the kettle on, find a comfy chair. You have the time, don’t you? 

The top non-Tom article this week is QUIZ plc – trading update, how creditable is “consistent with the board’s expectations”?… by Steve Moore at number four or number ten if you include the Bearcast and Tom’s new shareshow.  The funniest article this week is  ShareProphets “Good Day to Bury Bad News” Competition Result – how many companies put out dodgy RNSs the morning after the Euros in the expectation that they will be overlooked. Nine.

In today’s podcast, I discuss the two big media stories of the week: GB News getting no viewers at all at some stage last week and the idea that social media posters should have to disclose their identity. That is where the rent boys (non) issue comes up

A trading update earlier this month from Headlam Group (HEAD) included “total revenue for the year-to-date is now in-line with the 2019 comparator, having been slightly below for the four months to 30 April 2021” and “the company’s Operational Improvement Programme delivering revenue growth opportunities and cost improvements”. This combination suggests there is further recovery value in the shares.

Pharos Energy (PHAR) President & CEO Ed Story argues in a half-year ‘trading & operations update’ “pleased to be able to report a period of progress for the group”, but the shares have currently responded lower to 23.8p.

Hello, Share Fanciers. There aren’t many consolations for the pandemic on the financial front. Ok some shares have done better than others. But the Footsie is down least 12% on pre-covid days and it should have risen by 20% given the bull run which was underway just before that. However there’s better news for owners of many penny shares.

My tips of the year were published in late December. How are they doing just over halfway through the year?…

I start with events on the Isle of Man and general covid lunacy and how that makes everything – including MyHeathChecked (MHC) – such a gamble. When will this track and trace madness stop? It is sheer insanity. Then I look at the gold price reviewing my portfolio and finally a few words on today’s expose on Wildcat Petroleum (WCAT) where the silence of its scumbag advisors is deafening.

There are two ways of viewing IQE plc (IQE). One, mine, is correct. The other, as pushed by the share promoters, the numerous corporate brokers and financiers who see its constant demands for fresh debt and equity as something of a gravy train, is not. Let’s start with those who are wrong.

Data science-specialising marketing and consulting company Jaywing (JWNG) “is pleased to announce that it has won a new contract with Skipton Building Society to act as its strategic and brand agency partner”. Why then are the shares currently 8.7% lower at 10.5p?…