Shares in tobacco and ‘next generation’ products smoking-focused Imperial Brands (IMB) were above 2000p early this year and it updated investors the other day on a number of matters including “although the economic and social impact of COVID-19 is developing rapidly, there has been no material impact on group performance to date and current trading remains in-line with expectations”. The shares are though now available to buy at 1665p - they were  1570.5p when this article first appeared -  and we think you should although we regard a dividend cut as almost inevitable.

It looks like the cash that I did not realise until a few months ago I had, will finally arrive in my SIPP this week. so where will I invest it? I discuss my outlook for equities in general, what I shall avoid and then Optibiotix (OPTI). R4E (R4E), Imperial Brands (IMB), Centamin (CEY), Tesco (TSCO), BP (BP.), Shell (RDSB), Wishbone Gold (WSBN) Red Rock (RRR) and Fox Marble (FOX).

Send your photos to 'editorial@shareprophets.com'. We'll keep running them until we're free again, or it's New Year's Day, whichever comes first. 

I am a big fan of Bluebird Merchant Ventures (BMV). I expect it to secure loan funding to ensure opening of its first gold mine very soon and that folks will then realise that this is perhaps the cheapest London listed gold play. I really could see its shares trebling from the current 2.45p mid. But there is one problem, its non executive chairman Jonathan Morley-Kirk simply has to be fired, not only from Bluebird but from Big Dish Ventures (DISH) as well. I have written to senior director Aidan Bishop.

It is a big question: where can you make money now? More to the point, with economic uncertainty the order of the day, perhaps not making money but just preserving capital as best you can should be the focus. Are shares going to go up? In general, I doubt it – at least for the time being. With interest rates at historic lows and therefore bond prices sky-high it is hard to see much progress there too. Perhaps we should all just move into cash? But central banks are printing, governments are borrowing so the threat of devaluing currencies makes that option unattractive too. What to do?

Last week we noted a “key” SlimBiome contract manufacturing agreement for OptiBiotix Health (OPTI)... now it “builds on” this such agreement for meal replacement shakes designed specifically to support the international expansion of its own label GoFigure® consumer weight management brand…

Previously I have warned extensively about London & Capital Finance (now in administration), Blackmore Bond Plc (now in default on interest payments), Wellesley Finance Plc (material uncertainty over going concern) and Bassett and Gold Plc (now in administration).  Today, following a reader’s prompt, I publish a major report on another massive mini bond scandal in the making.

Hello, Share Breakers. With the markets closed today, I’ll keep to my role as a bullish optimist and suggest a few reasons to hope for beleaguered share shifters like. First of all, if you listen to television news you may be more depressed by the situation than you ought to be.

As I explain, whatever - arguably defamatory and certainly innacurate - comments the ShareSoc BSD makes about Carson Block and others, in future he must always be referred to as a "living legend in the world of investment". Then it is back to the debate about partnerships like the ones at Pinsent Masons and Mazaars taking Goverment handouts to pay low paid staff in order to keep the multimillionaires rich and why this stinks. Then I discuss why the post Covid 19 recovery will not be V shaped and what this means for shares. Happy Easter to one and all and especially to  the living legend in the world of investment that is Roger Lawson.

My views on Block Energy (BLOE) haven’t exactly been popular over the past year as it was a favourite with private investors, but unfortunately so far everything has played out as I feared that it would do.

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

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

This has nothing to do with shares or investing or anything. It's the end of the weekend and we've organised a quick pub quiz. Grab your own beer, there are no prizes, and for Pete's sake, no Googling! Only I get to do that. If you are so inclined, please enter your score in the comments. The highest score still won't get a prize.

The oil price bounced hard in the last week in expectation of an OPEC+ and G20 deal to take many barrels off the market. As I write the deal is still not finalised and agreed to by the key players, as Mexico has been playing hardball, so I do not take as read the OPEC+ deal will be approved. In the circumstances I would suggest approval of this deal is the best that bulls can hope for. The G20 provided little tangible support to oil price. I see these outcomes very much meeting my criteria of “too little far too late” as I expected.

We're inviting you to send pictures in of what you see out of your window and/or of your new workspace. Just email them to editorial@shareprophets.com . Today, we're looking at the view of Paul in Brisbane.

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

Excluding ShareProphets Radio 27, the most read non-Tom article this week is Gold: Dislocation, dislocation, dislocation! It is all going only one way by Nigel Somerville, at number four or number 12 including Bearcasts.

I start wth a look at Carnival (CCL). then it is onto old pals, Cineworld (CINE), West Ham, Pinsent Masons and others and how this bailout is in fact allowing and will make the rich to get richer, reward them for past greed and will see the wealth gap widen in a wholly unacceptable way. What is happening at morally bankrupt law form Pinsent Masons is a particular disgrace.  

Well, to be accurate it will not be the virus but Government response which causes the bankruptcies.