Early this year we showed the Shorted AIM shares at the start of 2020. How’s the performance as at the end of August? (those in bold remain from 2019)…

Virtual reality experiences group Immotion (IMMO) is “pleased to report that since our last update on July 29th 2020, trading has continued to be encouraging across the sites that have operated during the summer period”. The shares are though a bit lower, to 4.65p…

Last week, when we learned the final outcome of the previous ramp of Asimilar (ASLR), I noted the collapse of its share price and that it is what happens when you invest in a ramp. Well blow me down, this morning we are off again with an announcement of an acquisition of Intrinsic Capital (Jersey) Limited from Mr Mark Horrocks…

Franchise cakes retailer Cake Box Holdings (CBOX) has updated including “by 1 June 2020, 131 of the 133 stores had reopened, offering a limited menu of products. In the last three months, since the reopening of the estate, trading has been very strong, with like-for-like sales growth of c.14.1% in franchise stores. Online sales continue to grow, up c.74% compared to the previous year three-month period” and a “decision to pay a special dividend of the same amount as the final dividend (3.2p per share) for the year ending 31 March 2020 that was withdrawn on 14 April” – and the shares have currently responded to above 180p, more than 5% higher…

Apparently you can’t travel with SAGA (SAGA) until you are 50 unless you are over 40 and travelling with someone 50+. Well I am going to have to wait a few more years then to have that option for my summer holiday, as I don’t really fancy asking my parents if I can tag along with them. Still, I am sure SAGA would be happy for anyone to buy its shares irrespective of their age…although as they are sitting at approximately one-tenth of their IPO price it would have been a pretty harmful decision irrespective of your age…

The correction in gold and gold equities may or may not have ended, but right now the numbers are giving a very good impression of the former. As I write, gold is hovering around $1990 per ounce and GDX and GDXJ in the UK are up by 2.2% and 3.3% respectively. My bet is we will see $2000 gold again imminently. Whether I am right or not, in the medium term it is irrelevant: the trend is up and as I have suggested before, gold and gold stocks will head higher. What happens then is a matter covered by Jordan Roy-Byrne of TheDailyGold.com and his answer is very exciting…

On the exact occasion of my 7th wedding anniversary, I am off to see my father so there is only a brief bearcast from me. Well it’s quite a long one actually but it is recorded early. I start with Carnival Cruises (CCL), then TrainLine (TRN) and then the stinking nest of vipers that is Asimilar (ASLR), Dev Clever (DEV), All Active Asset Capital (AAA), Mark Horrocks, Chris Akers, Novum and Peterhouse Capital. Hold your noses as you listen.

Early this year we showed the top shorted London-listed shares at the start of 2020. How’s the performance as at the end of August? (those in bold remain from 2019)…

Wood Group (WG.) announced half-year results including “operating profit of $65.6m (June 2019: $138.8m)…considers it prudent not to pay a 2020 interim dividend” but the shares look to be at a depressed valuation and the announcement also included “recent signs of stabilisation… expect good cash generation and a further reduction in net debt in the second half. Well placed for medium term growth as markets recover and the energy transition gathers pace”…

Hello, Share Smashers. I’ve mentioned before a giant Footsie jumbo which began by making wire baskets. Somewhere along the line Martin Sorrell got interested and now the company is said to be the biggest advertising company in the world. It reached this point by using the latest technology to market top businesses. At least that’s what I think it’s all about as the ‘about us’ slot on its website makes little sense to this old thicko. What’s drawn my attention to this giant though is that analysts at Barclays discovered an unusual happenstance…

There are many reasons to dismiss Standard-listed Panther Metals (PALM). For a start, having decided to depart the Nex (now Aquis) lobster-pot, it opted for the somewhat tainted waters of the Standard List, rather than a full listing (which, to be fair, at the time would have been a bit of a joke as its market cap would have been very small). And its Broker is that bastion of the bottom end of AIM, Peterhouse Corporate Finance. My immediate reaction is already to wave a red flag over this investment. But there are some attractions – enough to warrant a small spot in the cellar of the Montana Log-Cabin?

Just how many red flags do you need? Because at this AIM listed company, there are more than you’d see on the annual May Day parade through my old stomping ground of Clerkenwell. Let’s list the Verditek (VDTK) red flags:

FastForward Innovations (FFWD) has announced results for its year ended 31^st March 2020 including “a large portion of our investments have continued to make positive advances and reach significant milestones in their development”, though also “some challenges”… and this share tip from us is almost 100% ahead on an offer to bid basis after just two months!

This piece comes from management consultants McKinsey. Thanks to comrade Jim Mellon for sending it over. It serves as a simple reminder of keys to successful investment.  The section on bad management is something many AIM gamblers might wish to ponder.

I start with musings on croquet hoops, something I am geekish enough to comment on, and how it is symbolic of our age. I wander on to consider the craziest job creation scheme in history but one which the mainstream media takes seriously… back to crazy croquet hoops. Then it is news that Capita is closing offices where 15,000 work and the Government’s barking mad plans and pleas to reverse this tide. Finally, the response of Alessandro Zamboni of Supply@ME Capital (SYME) to me terming his company a con and saying he should be in jail. Other than his stupidity in telling an obvious lie, Sam Antar, the king of the fraudsters, would be proud of him. 

The level of trust that you have in the management of a company can often play a big part in your willingness to invest.

Hello. Share Swingers. As it’s another boring bank holiday with closed markets, allow me to review a few of the shares in my bag. These have been commended to you over the last couple of months or so. During that time the Footsie and most other shares have hardly moved at all. Ok, the Covid plays have been up and down like a pogo stick, but the average performance is only standing still.

I wrote about Synairgen (SNG) back in July, and in doing so earned the dubious ticker from Tom Winnifrith as a “ramper” and the honour of a Special Bearcast as a response. The ticker amused me greater and I freely admit I agreed with 95% of Tom’s commentary on how to value a drugs company. However I see a “special situation” with this company’s SNG001 potential Covid treatment that may break the normal valuation rule set.

Having asked for readers tips for 2020 for the prize of 1/2 litre of Tom Winnifrith’s Greek Hovel olive oil (2020 harvest) HERE, the following is an update on performance at the end of August (to be eligible needed to have selected, on a per username basis, a buy & sell pick from the LSE or AIM casino and the stocks not to have been suspended at the commencement of 2020)…