September-recommended at a 180p offer price manufacturer of collagen products for the food industry Devro (DVO) has issued an update including that “current trading and the full year outlook are slightly ahead of the board's expectations, underpinned by a robust performance and foreign exchange tailwinds”… but, more significantly, has also announced a recommended offer... at 316.1p per share!

Speciality agriculture and engineering group Carr's (CARR) has issued an update including that “the expected completion date for the group's audit and publication of the group's FY22 audited results is now mid-January 2023, later than the 3 January 2023 deadline required” but that it “has continued to perform strongly”, so what’s going on?

On developer of “compounds to tackle obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes”, OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) we’ve previously noted ‘some delays in delivery but a sales recovery Buy’ – including with “product launches by Apollo Pharmacies in India and restocking by some partners with sales normalising… as in previous years, there was no contribution in this period from licence or royalty payments which tend to be received in the second half”. We’ve since again spoken to CEO Steve O'Hara.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced results for its year ended 30^th September 2022 and that it is “well placed to build on our track record of delivery over the next three years, improving returns and creating sustainable growth in shareholder value”.

Shares in Tesco (TSCO) were above 270p as recently as August but have fallen back significantly as it faces clear macro challenges. However, it has a long track-record across economic conditions and we consider the share price fall has been too extreme.

I weigh in on the debate on Biome (BIOM) looking at macro babble & bubble and bottom up analysis to decide which of my colleagues is, I suspect, right.

Before the market meltup, shares in Beyond Meat (BYND) closed at an all-time low of $11.90 on Wednesday night after releasing a disastrous Q3 earnings report. Is this a chance to buy into the BBC's favourite Nasdaq stock? No! Au contraire.

BP (BP.) has announced third quarter results emphasising “net debt fell for the tenth successive quarter; we are investing with discipline; and we are delivering on our commitment to shareholder distributions - announcing a further $2.5 billion share buyback”. So what of a now slightly further higher 486.45p share price?

Sylvania Platinum (SLP) has announced “best quarterly production since the COVID-lockdowns in early 2020. This increase in production ounces and the 2% higher PGM basket price recorded in the quarter, resulted in stronger profits”. The shares have currently responded up to 92p and there looks more to go.

Young Steve Moore and I have repeatedly warned you about Seraphine (BUMP) another disastrous 2021 IPO. Today came another warning but before we deal with the abject numbers I suggest you all have a butcher’s at its website HERE. And as a reminder…

Previously writing on early stage financial services businesses investor B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM) last month with the shares at 302p we concluded that they were still a Buy ahead of results for its half-year ended 31^st July 2022. The shares previously closed at 284p but are now 304p on the back of the results.

A couple of years ago I did a podcast suggesting that the share price of ITM Power (ITM) was truly bonkers.  In the mad rush to buy “green” investments it then got a bit more "truly bonkers". That is the problem with bubbles, they can just keep on expanding far longer than most folks think, defying all logic.  And green energy clearly is a bubble.

Shares in AIM-listed Shanta Gold (SHG) shot higher yesterday after the company announced that it had received approaches regarding the potential takeover of the company. Could this be the start of a bidding frenzy in the bombed out Gold mining sector?

Shares in Amaroq Minerals (AMRQ), formerly AEX Gold (AEXG), were above 40p in August before recently falling back to below 35p. They’re now back above 35p and we look for further recovery on upcoming news flow and sentiment improving.

It has been a stockmarket darling for years but plant hire group Ashtead (AHT) is a short at a current 4230p share price, around £19 billion market cap, and here is why.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced year ended 30^th September 2022 “trading in line with expectations with growth in aggregate market share for top-five priority markets” and that a strengthened balance sheet and achievement of target leverage are to enable the immediate start of an ongoing share buyback programme. The shares have responded positively, up to 1940p, so what’s the detail?

In these troubled economic times, how about a proven defensive investment offering a dividend yield of above 5%?

You can sometimes get some borrow in Versarien (VRS) and if you can you should even with the shares, which were once almost 200p, having slumped to below 15p. The next collapse will happen and happen fairly soon. It is a when not an if.

Essentra (ESNT) has issued “Sale of Filters and Packaging Completion of Sale” and “Appointment of New Chief Executive”-titled announcements and the shares have responded up by more than 15% to above 210p – Mr Market says it sounds like good news then.

I start with a sort of Lucian Miers-style checklist for short candidates. How many boxes does Bidstack (BIDS) tick?

Two weeks ago today at Sharestock, I spoke about Victoria Carpets Plc  (VCP) and outlined the reasons why I thought it still had the makings of a good short, despite its fall from £12 in January when I last wrote on it. Although the stock closed yesterday at just 427p, the share price gyrations of the past fortnight underline why I stated that right now might not be  a great time to open the short. The shares raced ahead post Sharestock but are now 53p below the share price then.

Previously writing on OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), earlier this month we noted prior delays in delivery from larger deals but that orders are already coming through and being booked as second half sales. Now some clear evidence of this with an announcement that the company’s GoFigure meal replacement shakes and powdered beverage shots have now been officially launched by India's Apollo Hospitals & Pharmacies.

Wood Group (WG.) has announced its results for the first half of 2022 and that it expects an improved performance in the second half, including being helped by an improvement in its Turbines joint ventures.

Essentra (ESNT) has announced results for the first half of 2022 and that it “continue to see strength in our order book, providing encouragement as we move into the second half”.

Early stage financial services businesses investor B.P. Marsh (BPM) has announced it remains confident it will continue with its historic growth trajectory and deliver attractive returns for investors, including a dividend per share “at least” maintained at last year’s 2.78p for the next two years.

Floorcoverings distributor Headlam Group (HEAD) has announced results for the first half of 2022 and that trading resilience continues with it remaining on track to meet market expectations for the year.

Back in November of last year the CEO of Cake Box (CBOX) sold 3 million shares at 350p to mug fund managers. That means that over the past two years he has trousered £16.4 million at 170p and 350p. Lucky him. The company, which I have called out for months as a slam dunk car crash waiting to happen, has recently served up a horrific profit warning and its shares touched 90p. But then the CEO invested £250,000 at 121p and hey presto the shares are now 142p – more than halfway back to the pre-warning 180p level. This is absurd.

Packaging company DS Smith (SMDS) has issued an AGM update including a trading statement and that Finance Director Adrian Marsh has informed the company of his intention to retire on a successor being in place.

Shares in Cineworld (CINE) are rocketing. They were down to 2p. Today they are more than 50% ahead at just under 7p, valuing this company at £90 million. On the BBs folks are talking 10p and 20p. They have not been this excited and screamed “burn shorters burn” since they piled inro Petropavlovsk (POG) just before it went bust. Or Thomas Cook, shares in which surged from 4p to 14p in the last fortnight before it went bust!

Packaging group Macfarlane (MACF) has announced results for the first half of 2022 and that it expects to deliver another year of profit growth.

B2B video streaming technology company Aferian (AFRN) has announced results for its half year ended 31^st May 2022 and confidence in second half prospects.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has announced that it now expects half-year sales in its new structure to be materially lower than expected and, though it expects sales normalising in the second half and healthy growth next year, the current year is to now be “insufficient to make up the H1 deficit”. We profusely apologise for the short-term disappointment though, having spoken to the company, what to do now with the shares down at 20p to buy, a £17.6 million market cap?

Thungela Resources (TGA) has announced results for the first half of 2022, noting “profit for the reporting period of R9.6 billion in a volatile operating environment (H1 2021: R351 million)”. This has currently helped the shares up to around 1500p, so how does the value look now?

Short selling outfit Iceberg recently published a bear dossier on carpets roll-up play Victoria (VCP), which I reposted on this website HERE. Writing to you from Greece, I am not aware if the deadwood press is taking this matter onwards as what Iceberg wrote was very punchy indeed and I am sure that Victoria’s PR spinners will be using phrases involving the dreaded L word (lawyer) to any of the spineless 4^th Estate hacks who ask questions.

I should declare that I am a shareholder in this company. I bought 1 share a few years ago so that I could attend its AGM to quiz the management on the catalogue of lies they had told to investors.  Then covid struck. On a properly regulated market Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) would have been given the order of the boot years ago, but this is AIM.

BP (BP.) has announced second quarter and half-year results including a second quarter attributable profit of $9.26 billion and 10% increased dividend per share to $0.06006 and outlook confidence with ongoing supply disruptions in the industry and a relative lack of inventories.

Headlam Group (HEAD) has announced a “pleasing” half year performance and that it “remains on track to meet market expectations for the year”.

GSK plc (GSK) has announced a “slightly better than expected” first-half performance, and the shares have responded up to 1755.8p.

After Fevertree’s (FEVR) recent profits warning, Lucian Miers says that he has closed his short. Not that he expects the shares to surge higher just that he sees greater opportunities out there for the teddies. I am not so sure.

Last year we banked a more than 40%, less than 7 months, offer-to-bid gain on Wood Group (WG.) at 300.3p. That proved good timing with the shares eventually falling back towards 150p before then recovering to above 250p again. However, they are now available at a 155p offer price and are again a Buy.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has announced an update on recent scientific and commercial activities, emphasising it is “increasing the range of products, applications, and territories creating the potential to open larger market opportunities”.

It is hard to imagine a more perfect storm than the one that now faces Cineworld (CINE). I know Lucian and I have been telling you to short it for some while, and you will be well in the money if you have followed that advice, with the shares now just 21p. But that is 21p too high, and so it is not to late to open a short or to add to your position.

The half year trading update from Mirriad Advertising (MIRI), out this morning, is truly appalling, and shows that those running the company are living in a parallel universe of self-entitlement. This company, which has never turned a cent of profit and whose revenues have always been less than your average East Midlands corner store, pays bonuses. Bonuses for what, FFS?

Previously updating on the UK’s largest pawnbroker and a leading retailer of new and pre-owned jewellery and watches, H&T Group (HAT) we concluded that we continued to look for further news flow to drive a return to an above 350p share price. The shares have now reached further higher than that.

Writing on OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) last month with the shares at 21p to buy, we noted potential for a move into meaningful profitability and further potential from 'second generation' products addressing much larger market opportunities. We drank our own medicine with Tom buying more shares at 22p. The shares are now further up at 31.5p on the back of a “Joint development agreement signed with Firmenich”-titled announcement.

H&T Group (HAT), the UK's largest pawnbroker and a leading retailer of new and pre-owned jewellery and watches, has announced a half-year trading update and an acquisition.

Essentra (ESNT) has announced what it emphasises is “a significant step” to a future as a global leading manufacturer and distributor of components with a clear strategy and significant opportunities to accelerate growth and expand market share. This is with an agreed sale of its Packaging business.

On 4 December 2020, shares in Russia PGM promote, Eurasia Mining (LSE:EUA), hit 40.55p. Morons across the interweb, spurred on by blatant market abuse, pondered what colours their Ferraris would be painted. Today, the shares are just 5p, after dire finals earlier this week. There are two questions Eurasia must answer:

Packaging company DS Smith (SMDS) has announced results for its year ended 30^th April 2022, with it emphasising “a strong improvement in profitability and high cash generation… The new financial year has started well, building on the momentum”. This sounds good.

Structural steel company, Severfield (SFR), has announced results for the year ended 26^th March 2022. Its growth strategy, the company claims, is delivering a record order book, with a broad diversity of sectors, geographies and clients, providing good earnings visibility through 2023 and beyond.

B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM), the specialist investor in early stage financial services businesses, has announced results for its year ended 31^st January 2022, emphasising its growth trajectory despite the current “headwinds for all businesses”.

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced a new joint venture - in which it will have a 51% holding - for its 'strategic minerals' assets, which will see an £18 million (circa Canadian $28.5 million) cash injection. This leaves AEX's gold 100%-owned, and just refers to non-gold assets that most folks - ourselves included - had valued at SFA. Suddenly, they are worth £18-28 million. Game changer?

On February 18, I generated industrial-scale abuse (of me) from anonymous internet warriors. All I did was suggest Shield Therapeutics (STX) as a slam-dunk short, at 25.5p.  The savants insisted, as is usually the case in such circumstances, that I didn’t understand the maths, and should go back to working in a pizza store, etc, etc, etc. The shares are now just 14.6p, and the final collapse is almost upon us. Add to your shorts. Let me explain.

There are two late dropouts: reader Sam and Andrew Bell; Fleet Street legend, Brian Basham, has gone AWOL. So, it is just me, reader N, Steve Moore, and a very hungover Lucian Miers (along with his communist son). Lucian's hangover has delayed us by 35 minutes, but now, we are off! If you have yet to donate, please do so HERE.

Jadestone Energy (JSE) has announced results for the 2021 calendar year and that it still expects 2022 average production to increase to 15,500-18,500 boe/d. So what of a share price slipping to 101p in response?

Lucian Miers wrote here a couple of weeks ago about Fevertree (FEVR) where he remains short. There may be some people laughing at him as the fizzy drinks group fairly promptly served up a trading statement suggesting that it was on track to meet forecasts. But that is looking in the rear-view mirror. What is important is what happens going forward.

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced first-quarter results, emphasising that its strategy remains to bring the Nalunaq gold project back into production, and use it as a platform for strategic mineral assets in Greenland.

Jubilee Metals (JLP) has announced two new appointments: Manuel Lino Silva de Sousa (Ollie) Oliveira as Chairman, and Berenberg as joint corporate broker. That is good news for institutional interest, with the market cap now £390 million, at a 14.85p share price.

Floorcoverings distributor group Headlam (HEAD) has issued an AGM trading update including that it “continues to be comfortable with profit expectations for the year”. So what of a current 338p share price?

Miner in Azerbaijan, Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) states that it “is pleased to announce its final audited results for the year ended 31 December 2021”. However, the shares are down to 85p to buy in response.

Packaging group Macfarlane (MACF) “is pleased to announce the acquisition of PackMann Gesellschaft für Verpackungen und Dienstleistungen mbH, a protective packaging distribution business based in Eppelheim near Heidelberg, Germany”, emphasising it is to accelerate the growth of its protective packaging business in Northern Europe. Crazy name eh! German is such an amazing language. But a good deal.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced results for its half year ended 31^st March 2022 emphasising “stabilisation of our core combustible business” and “successful consumer trials validate our approach and strengthen our confidence in our Next Generation Product strategy”. This sounds encouraging.

Gold miner in Kazakhstan, AltynGold (ALTN) states that it “is pleased to announce its 1Q22 production update” and the shares have moved up to 130p, so what’s the latest?...

Jubilee Metals (JLP) has announced a performance update of its new and expanded fully integrated South African Inyoni PGM and chrome operations and its Zambian southern copper strategy. So what’s the situation, with the shares having responded up to 15.4p?

AEX Gold (AEXG) is pleased to announce its addition of mineral exploration licences No. 2020-41 and 2021-11, covering areas in South Greenland.

Packaging group Macfarlane (MACF) has announced “a solid start to 2022, with first quarter sales and profits from continuing operations ahead of the same period in 2021… expectations for the full year are unchanged”. So what of a current 120.5p share price?

I suspect that very few investors and surprisingly few PLC directors have any idea what a recession looks like. For starters most folks in both camps are rich but in a recession, it is the poor or lower middle classes who get whacked hardest. That is especially so when it is an inflationary recession as those lower down the order tend to have the least ability to “play catch up” by forcing through pay rises. And secondly you have to be of a certain age to remember a savage inflationary recession as an adult – the last one was ended with some fairly painful medicine by the blessed Lady Thatcher forty years ago.

I start with the warning of a three-day bearcast break in the summer, and explain why. And of how the cat has stolen all the Es. Then, it is onto the local elections, and a warning for complacent Tories about the thief in the night. Then, Cathie Wood and ARK, which really is going down the plughole.  I look at new Sub Standard List IPO, Kendrick Resources, and give it the Bird. I cover bitcoin; Argo Blockchain (ARB); McColls (MCLS); Kinovo (KINO) - where somebody should be sacked; Wildcat Petroleum (WCAT); and Powerhouse Energy (PHE) . I explain what Steve Moore should do on his weekend "lads break"in Skegness.  Oh to be young again.  Irony.  I forgot to say: thanks to all those who have now donated to Rogue Bloggers for Woodlarks. I shall be training hard again this weekend, with a day of gardening and an 18-20 mile walk. Think of my suffering, and, if you have donated, I thank you. If you are among the 97%of listeners who have not, PLEASE DO SO HERE.

BP (BP.) has announced a first quarter of the year $20.4 billion loss... though also reduced net debt to $27.5 billion, a maintained 5.46 cents per share dividend and a proposed further $2.5 billion share buyback. So what’s going on?

Packaging company DS Smith (SMDS) has announced year ending 30^th April “trading in line with management expectations… enter the next financial year with confidence”, helping the shares up to 325.6p.

Fresnillo (FRES) has announced first quarter of the year production including attributable silver production of 13.28 million ounces and gold production of 0.15 million ounces and that, despite challenges, “2022 guidance remains unchanged”.

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced 2021 calendar year results and that it “is very well placed for the year ahead and investors will have a lot of news to digest”.

Shares in equipment rental company Vp plc (VP.) closed at 820p before the latest news. However, they are now up to 940p on news that it is now considered “appropriate to investigate the sale of the company and is therefore launching a formal sale process”. So what now?

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced its first quarter of the year results and that it reconfirms its full-year 2022 guidance. We are well ahead on this share tip where we are also drinking our own medicine so what to do now?

Cybersecurity group Shearwater (SWG) has emphasised a “set of market-beating numbers… we remain excited for what the future holds”. What of a share price response up to 140p?

Centamin (CEY) has announced a quarterly update including “as planned, Q1 2022 production reflected the successful transition to owner mining in the underground… reiterates its 2022 full-year guidance”, so what of a share price response currently down closer to 90p?

Shares in Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO) remain below levels of earlier this year despite recent results showing encouraging recovery and noting an encouraging start to this year, with there looking to be scope for further recovery in profitability and for the share price.

Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) has announced it “is pleased to provide a production, sales and operations review for its Gedabek contract area in western Azerbaijan, for the three months to 31 March 2022”. So, what of the shares responding slightly higher to 95p?

Iron-ore pellets producer, Ferrexpo (FXPO), has announced - despite operational constraints following Russia's invasion of Ukraine - “production of 2.7 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2022, representing a figure in line with the same period in 2021, and 11% below the previous quarter… Sales in 1Q 2022 of 2.6 million tonnes… net cash position of approximately US$159 million”.

Cybersecurity group, Shearwater (SWG), has announced a “new contract win, to the potential value of up to c.£21.0m, with a leading telecommunications and media company”, helping its shares more than 25% higher, to 138p, in response.

In response to some dynamite exposes on Shareprophets about Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (COPL), the company released a bizarre RNS in which the sole executive, Arthur Millholland, dismissed his critics, mainly Tom Winnifrith, as snake oil salesmen and expressed “renewed confidence” about the future. Pots and kettles spring to mind here when Millholland’s track record is taken into consideration.

Equipment rental company Vp plc (VP.) has issued a trading update announcement which is headlined “Expected performance ahead of expectations driven by increased demand”. This sounds good.

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced exploration drilling results from its Nalunaq project, which, it emphasises, verify that the Valley Block, unrecognised by previous operators, is a new high-grade zone and supports its 'Dolerite Dyke Model'. This, it says, has been used to predict the location and extent of five new high-grade zones.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced in a trading update “first-half adjusted group operating profit ahead of last year on constant currency basis” and full-year outlook in line with guidance.

As Q1 limps to a close, it is difficult to see clearly through the fog of war. Mindful, doubtless, of the Covid aftermath – which bottomed almost exactly two years ago and led to a spectacular rally in stocks – investors have returned, and the sell-off seems to have petered out.

Shares are now ‘ex-dividend’ for Optibiotix’s ‘ProBiotix Health’ business, which will be spun off onto the AQSE Growth Market – with an associated fundraise – at the end of this month. Additionally, SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX), in which it has a 20.73% stake, has just announced half-year results – that the market did not like. So, how does the valuation stack up now?

SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) has announced results for its half-year ended 31^st December 2021 which show revenue of just £21,949, cash £1.5 million lower to £3.2 million and include a warning that full-year forecasts will be materially missed – and the shares have responded down to 35p. But here’s why we retain significant confidence and see this as a buying opportunity. From here this could be a 10 bagger.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced an update on its actions and impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concluding on Russia “an orderly transfer of our business as a going concern would be in the best interests… have begun negotiations with a local third party about a transfer”.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has announced that it intends to seek admission of its ProBiotix Health business onto the AQSE Growth Market with an associated fund raise of approximately £2.5 million at an indicative premoney valuation of £22.5 million and a distribution in specie. With, at a 35.5p share price, OptiBiotix as a whole currently capitalised at £31.3 million, is this good news? You bet!

Cybersecurity group Shearwater (SWG) has announced a three-year contract with a global financial organisation, totalling $4.1 million, to provide the customer with security software across the breadth of its operations.

There now seem to be serious peace talks in Ukraine with both sides, apparently, prepared to give a little to stop the bloodshed. I know too many folks are beating the war drums and bursting with pride every time a British missile takes out a Russian tank but they are mistaken as I explained in a podcast HERE. As a human being I pray for peace and an end to the killing. If there is peace all stocks will melt up, but especially the big caps.

Europe’s leading floorcoverings distributor group Headlam Group (HEAD) has announced its results for the 2021 calendar year and said “trading in January and February 2022 in line with plan, with the strong margin performance in 2021 maintained into 2022”.

Fresnillo (FRES) has announced 2021 results and on-going challenges but also confidence in its prospects. Really?

I see that amid some optimism that we might see peace in Ukraine the FTSE 100 is staging a bit of a rally as I write.  And with that all sorts of stocks among the small and mid-caps are heading higher. Of course, I pray for peace. If we get it then all stocks will be marked higher but for how long?

H&T Group (HAT) has announced results for the 2021 calendar year and that looking ahead it “is well positioned”. Is it?

Early stage financial services businesses investor B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM) has announced it has completed a sale of its 77.25% shareholding in Summa Insurance Brokerage for £8.1 million after all associated costs, with also a further £1.5 million in full for its loan, emphasising this “once again demonstrates the success of our investment approach over a number of years”.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has issued a trading update commenting that 2021 “total invoiced sales for the group were £2.2m (2020: £1.5m) an increase of 46.7% on the previous year and in line with market expectations” and including that it “has made good progress against its stated aims of focusing on a smaller number of large partners in key strategic markets and expects to see the benefits of these in 2022 and beyond”. What does that mean at the bottom-line?

Recent Income recommendation Rio Tinto (RIO) has announced record results for 2021 and that it is “targeting disciplined investment in commodities that will see strong demand in the coming decades”.

PGMs tailings materials retreatment company in South Africa Sylvania Platinum (SLP) has announced results for its half-year ended 31^st December 2021, noting a net profit of $24.4 million, “cash balance at 31 December 2021 of $110.1 million (HY1 FY2021: $67.1 million)” and that it is expecting second half-year PGM ounce production improvement.

Packaging group Macfarlane (MACF) has announced results for the 2021 calendar year and that 2022 trading in the early months has been “encouraging” and that it is confident it will deliver further growth.

SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) has published a “Business update” announcement including that it has now progressed to the second phase of its AxisBiotix-Ps food supplement for psoriasis product commercialisation strategy and that the SkinBiotix active ingredient project with Sederma is on track. Sounds good!

Can we all agree that the Covid bubble/lets all WFH bubble has burst and also that the tech bubble is bursting. I will write up the top way to cash in on this on the N50 website this weekend. Meanwhile here is some more free money for the bears.

Given the hysteria surrounding the situation in Ukraine over the weekend, the falls in Western-listed Russian names were relatively muted with most being down low single digit percentages on Monday. The exception to this appeared to be FTSE 100 constituent Evraz plc (EVR), the steel producer and coal miner with major operations in Russia and Ukraine. The stock which had closed on Friday at 444p opened at 285p, showing a decline of 159p or 35%. The press was quick to latch on to this “carnage”:

Jadestone Energy (JSE) states that it “is pleased to provide its guidance outlook for 2022”, including noting that it expects to generate material incremental cash at current oil prices and premiums and may consider an increase in shareholder returns through increased dividends and/or share buy-backs later in the year. Sounds good.

BP plc (BP.) has announced fourth quarter and full year 2021 results and argues “strong progress” in its transformation to an ‘integrated energy company’.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has made what it describes as a “Commercial and strategy update”, including arguing “look forward with confidence to further commercial progress of the group in the current year and beyond”. What does that though mean tangibly?

Jubilee Metals (JLP) states that it “is pleased to announce its unaudited operational results for the six months to 31 December 2021” and that it looks forward to “the next six months with the full impact of the Inyoni facility being felt, as well as the targeted ramp-up at Roan enabling us to take another major step in our commitment to achieve annual copper production of 25 000 tonnes”. So what of a current 16.3p share price, £396 million market capitalisation?

AltynGold (ALTN) has made a “4th Quarter results” announcement and states that it is “positive that we will deliver even better numbers in the coming year”. So what’s the detail?…

Sylvania Platinum (SLP) has announced results for its quarter ended 31^st December 2021, including cash of $110.1 million and “significant progress in terms of access to additional chrome tailings resources at both the Eastern and Western Operations”.

This has been a very good share tip for our readers but there is more to come. Jadestone Energy (JSE) has announced that “2021 production averaged 12,545 boe/d, in line with expectations” and “cash balances at the end of the year are estimated at US$117.4 million, representing an increase of 30% year-on-year, even after the largest spending programme in the company’s history”. This sounds encouraging.

Lucian Miers and myself have repeatedly called out Cineworld (CINE) as a compelling short and those who have followed our calls have prospered. But the FT, the home of almost every wrong call in history from backing the UK joining the Euro to selling its gold in 1997, runs a story “Cineworld debt pile set to save cinema operator from bankruptcy.” You might think this is a reason to buy. Au contaire. A resting banksta writes to me to explain.

Tomorrow will be a day of domestic childcare hell so I flag up now that my copy may be limited. Today I discuss Novacyt (NCYT) vs IG Design (IGR) where I think young Steve is wrong to be so bearish after today’s 53% share price fall. Then I look at two potential zeros Chill Brands (FRAUD) and Verditek (LIARS).

Components and (currently) Packaging and Filters company Essentra (ESNT) has announced fourth quarter like-for-like revenue up 12.7% on the prior year (+11.1% v. Q4 2019) and that it “expects to deliver FY 2021 operating profit in the range of analysts’ forecasts” (£80.7m-£84.3m) and “order book trends remain strong”. The shares are now 340p, a just shy of £1 billion market cap, but is there still further to go here?

Shares in cyber security group Shearwater (SWG) are down from more than 200p reached early last summer and more than 140p as recently as November to currently 99p to buy. There is clear trading expectations risk, but also reasons for optimism that the shares will spark again and they now look a risk/reward Buy.

October share tip at a 279p offer price, UK pawnbroking group H&T (HAT) has announced that “trading performance during the second half remained consistently strong and the group expects to report profit before tax for the full year within the range of current market expectations”.

If the share price of a company is in sharp decline and the CEO walks it is for one of two reasons and neither is good. It could be that the CEO knows that things can only get worse and wants to put as much clear blue water between him and a ship that is bound to sink. Or the rest of the board know that stakeholders will only do what is needed to try to keep the ship afloat if there is a change of captain, it is an admission that the ship is in deep trouble. Either way it is always a sign to sell or short or add to shorts and that brings me to Omega Diagnostics (ODX) where I have been a long term bear.

Centamin (CEY) has announced “the final quarter delivered what was a highly successful 2021” and that it is now looking forward to delivering on a clear roadmap to growing and unlocking further value from the Sukari gold mine in Egypt and its exploration portfolio. The shares have responded up to 93.425p and look to have much further to go.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) was one of our tips of the year, with we anticipating financial progress as its deals for its compounds expand and further deals kick-in. It has now announced that a further human volunteer study on its cholesterol-reducing probiotic LP_LDL - on a different population group of hypercholesterolemic adults – has shown “at six weeks, when volunteers taking placebo were compared to those taking LP_LDL, there were statistically significant changes to clinically important cardiovascular risk”, including “34.2% reduction in total cholesterol (p=0.001)”.

Following recently a shareholding transaction in an investee company further suggesting value, B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM) has now announced another deal suggesting the same.

Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) has published a fourth quarter update, including noting an underway technical study to determine the commercial viability of adding to its production from an existing underground mine, Vejnaly, in the second half of this year.

Shares in The Hut Group, THG plc (THG), listed at 500p in September 2020, then zoomed to 800p but now trade below 200p. Even so this business is still valued by the market at £2.2 billion.

As who will win the 2021 ShareProphets readers tips competition falls – the result to be revealed on this website later this week, the 2022 competition is now launched. The prize is 1/2 litre of Tom Winnifrith’s Greek Hovel olive oil (2022 harvest). To enter, just put in the Comments to this article - on a once per username basis - one buy & one sell pick from the LSE, Aquis lobster pot or AIM casino (with the stocks not suspended at the commencement of 2022). Entry closes & prices – buys offer price (and performance measured to bid price) and sells vice-versa – are from before the RNSs start at 7am on Tuesday 4th January 2022. Steve Moore will again update monthly on how the competition is progressing. Good luck all…

Between Boxing Day and January 3 all of our writers will be serving up their share tips of the year for 2022 – and now a new occassional contributor has stepped up to the plate so that will be 24 tips. Nineteenth in our series is a BUY from Steve Moore, Over to a very hungover young Steve…

Between Boxing Day and January 3 all of our writers will be serving up their share tips of the year for 2022 – and now a new occassional contributor has stepped up to the plate so that will be 24 tips.  Sixteenth in our series is a BUY from Steve Moore. Over to young Steve…

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced that  it “is pleased to provide shareholders with an end of year update”, with it noting a revised mine plan will be driven by drilling results in the Valley Block where the early signs are “very encouraging”.

Specialist investor in early stage financial services businesses B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM) has announced it has sold its stake in UK Courier and Taxi fleet motor insurance specialising business Walsingham (WMIL), emphasising the transaction is another example of it being able to identify niche opportunities to back successful management teams and to successfully realise value for shareholders.

This is a market where being short can be exceedingly painful. As Gabriel Grego found out the other day, even what appear to be slam dunk frauds can roof it. This is what happens at the fag end of a bull market. But in the UK, I sense that there is now real ennui among investors, both institutional and the spivs at the bucket shops, when it comes to placings.

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has followed a sales agreement with Apollo Hospitals Enterprises for its GoFigure weight management product range in India with an agreement for GoFigure and SlimBiome Medical in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Is this further encouraging progress or just more flannel?

Video streaming technology company Aferian (AFRN) has announced year ended 30^th November 2021 performance “ahead of the prior year, and in line with board expectations” and confidence looking ahead including increased exit run rate annual recurring revenue of approximately $15 million and further visibility as customers place orders up to 60 weeks in advance in response to extended lead times in the supply chain.

Jadestone Energy (JSE) has announced that 2021 average annual production is expected to be around the midpoint of the 11,500-13,500 boe/d guidance range and that it “now expect to reap the benefits of higher production and attractive pricing, given ongoing oil price strength, our unhedged position and recent improvements in the Tapis differential”.

I trust that numerous warnings from myself and Lucian have allowed you to make good money from shorting Cineworld (CINE) all the way down. The shares have collapsed this week on news that it has lost a Canadian court case and is on the hook for C$1.23 billion but that merely accelerates the end game here. Do not even think of closing your short at 31p.  My target is buttons. Post an inevitable debt for equity swap and bailout placing this is a penny share.

An already widespread virus mutating to what is being seen clinically as “extremely mild cases”. Not bad news then… except in Airstrip One – and a resultant very negative stock market reaction. However government response madness is gradually being revealed and travel and leisure should resultantly gradually recover, though some share prices here remain depressed. Opportunity?…

Packaging company DS Smith (SMDS) has announced results for its half-year ended 31^st October 2021 and that it has “confidence to deliver a significant improvement in profitability during the second half of this year” following an increased pre-tax profit to £175 million in the first half.

Previously writing on Essentra (ESNT) we noted ‘Q3 update, adds corporate excitement potential’ with the company “reviewing the full range of strategic options for the Filters business” with it aiming to become a pure play Components business over time, targeting strategic focus and an acceleration of organic and inorganic growth. Now a further “Strategic Update” and a “Directorate Change”.

Although the S&P 500 index is still around all time highs, there have been some savage declines of late in certain names and 275 stocks are lower now than they were six months ago. This suggests to me that the health of the US markets is much more fragile and precarious than the level of the three main indices implies.

Equipment rental company Vp plc (VP.) has announced results for its half-year ended 30^th September 2021 emphasising “a strong and continuing recovery in all of our businesses”. This sounds encouraging.

Evil Knievil: “the best time to kick a man is when he is down.” The great bear raider is correct, especially in these crazy times when so many frauds or near bankrupts seem able to defy gravity as the believers still belief and continue to BOTFD, so providing share price support. But in some cases even the believers are starting to smell the coffee.

SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) has announced results for its year ended 30^th June 2021 emphasising “transformational” progress. So what is this?

Packaging group Macfarlane (MACF) has published a trading update including news that it “now expects the group will exceed its previous expectations for the full year”. Sounds good!

OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) has announced the launch of a new sports nutrition product range, LeanBiome, with a supply & licensing agreement with “a leading global player in beauty & nutrition”. What of a current share price response up to 42.5p?

AEX Gold (AEXG) has announced third quarter results and an update including that a Nalunaq project engineering study is on track to be completed by the end of the year and that it is extremely excited by the wider exploration potential of its assets and looks forward to also being able to demonstrate the potential value of its non-gold, strategic mineral assets in due course.

Atalaya Mining (ATYM) states it is pleased to announce its quarterly and nine-month results for the period ended 30^th September 2021, with it emphasising “another strong quarter… robust operational performance, combined with strong copper prices, has seen our EBITDA for the first nine months of 2021 more than triple from the amount generated during the same period of 2020”. So what of a now more than 400p share price?

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced results for its year ended 30^th September 2021, emphasising “operational improvements supporting growth in net revenue, profit and free cash flow”.

Having been falling from early this month, shares in SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) are currently further lower after it announced “OptiBiotix Health Plc has placed 3,636,363 ordinary shares in SkinBioTherapeutics with new and existing institutional investors at a price of 55 pence per share”. With SkinBioTherapeutics CEO Stuart Ashman though arguing “the company is going from strength to strength” and “it is important to attract new investors who are keen to come on board to support us in the next stage of the company’s development, as a commercial entity”, why the further share price fall?

‘The best time to kick a man is when he is down’ is a quote from my friend the bear raider Simon Cawkwell, aka Evil Knievil. It is not a reference to individuals who have fallen on bad times for Cawkwell is, sometimes, not that uncharitable, but to shares in companies hitting new lows.

Until recently the playbook for activist short sellers was relatively straightforward. You spend a lot of time and money researching your target. You write a punchy report explaining your thesis in a manner designed to persuade even the most mentally challenged fund manager that they are holding a ticking bomb. You release your report at a time of your choosing and in the resulting share price fall you maybe take a bit off the table to cover your costs. If the report is well researched, accurate, and compelling, it is a reasonable and, in my view, perfectly respectable way of making a living which is beneficial to the integrity of the market in an age where regulators and enforcement agencies are greatly enfeebled.

Recommended at a 282.5p offer price in August, shares in Essentra (ESNT) are currently up to 289p on the back of a “Strategic Update and Q3 2021 Trading”-titled announcement. Good news.

Packaging company DS Smith (SMDS) has announced for its half-year it is more than offsetting significant input cost increases, helped by continuing strong structural drivers of growth.

SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) has announced it has commercially launched its probiotic food supplement to help alleviate the symptoms associated with psoriasis, AxisBiotix-Ps.

I am all for patience when it comes to investing, but the forbearance of small retail investors when it comes to continual promises made and broken by small and disreputable companies never ceases to amaze. Amazon and Apple are two examples, often cited by dreamers, of plucky minnows which struggled for years before exploding into being behemoths. If they can do it, the thinking seems to be, why not anyone? Give them more time and money.

Platinum group metals recovery company in South Africa, Sylvania Platinum (SLP) has announced results for the first quarter of its year, including “net profit of $8.6 million… Cash balance of $132.7 million”. Good news?

The latest results from pawnbroker H&T Group (HAT) noted Covid-19 related trading restrictions and reduced high street footfall impact but they still showed profitable resilience and noted growing confidence. We can understand why, given the strains raging inflation will put on household budgets, and predict a return to the 380p+ share price levels of early 2020. At a current 283p offer price  (279p when we tipped it two weeks ago) and up to 290p, this is a recovery BUY.

Early stage financial services businesses investment company, B.P. Marsh & Partners (BPM) has announced results for its half-year ended 31^st July 2021 and that it “continue to believe in our strategy of investing in people with ambition, and a track record of delivering within their sectors, and this again has been borne out by these results”.