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Keyword results: UK

IOG
IOG
PREMIUM CONTENT

A wipeout for IOG equity holders seems the most likely outcome now - sell/avoid

IOG (IOG) is one of those natural resource companies that has found itself drowning in debt and with seemingly no way out that is likely to leave much, if any, value for current equity holders.
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PREMIUM CONTENT

BREAKING: A ban on the sale of disposable vapes will have a significant impact on Chill Brands - sell

Chill Brands (CHLL) is one of those companies that seems to move its focus from one product to another, all of which are going to be the next big thing, but never really achieves much in terms of sales, and even less so in revenue or profitability.
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ENQ
ENQ
PREMIUM CONTENT

EnQuest is in a better position than the headline figures in the interims might suggest, Buy

The Energy Profit Levy tax on oil and gas companies with operated assets in the UK has had a big impact on the sector, and the share prices of the companies operating here have reacted accordingly. The market is also nervous of what Labour might do if it were to win the next general election, as there has been much talk from its MPs of increasing taxes even more and also on restrictions to the development of new assets. The latest such company to see its share price hammered upon the release of its financial results has been EnQuest (ENQ) this week, with it trading at almost 15% down at one point and close to the low that it hit back in June prior to oil prices rising sharply.
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PREMIUM CONTENT

I am still not worried by Currys

I don’t need a new computer at the moment but when I buy my next one I am pretty sure that I will use Currys (CURY). A couple of months ago, I shared why I thought it was smart to copy the move of Fraser Group (FRAS) and buy shares in Currys at the then just below 50p level. How is that getting along?

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ANG
ANG
PREMIUM CONTENT

Whilst I like Angling Direct as a business, the shares are just too high

Angling Direct (ANG) is a company that I actually like and have used myself to buy fishing tackle from, both in store and online, but what I’m less keen on is the market cap and struggle to see the value in it.
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LOK
LOK
PREMIUM CONTENT

Lok’nStore still loves to hold your junk

A year ago, I observed that there had been a “strong update from Lok’nStore (LOK) but, but, but…”.  I have never personally used a “self-storage company”, but lots of people regularly do. And I see that the group’s headline comment from today’s trading update is talking about “momentum continues”. Why is the share price down about 25% during the last year then?

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AEO
AEO

Aeorema Communications – “another record year” and confident for another successful year ahead, further upside ahead

Events and communications consultancy services company Aeorema Communications (AEO) has announced its year ended 30th June 2023, “following a strong second half… is expected to be another record year for the group with increased revenue and profit, and a strong cash balance” and that it “is confident that the 2024 financial year will be another successful year”. This sounds encouraging.
PREMIUM CONTENT

Staffline – emphasises “continues to secure further market share and strengthen customer relationships”… but what about the bottom-line financials?

Recruitment and training group Staffline (STAF) states that it is “pleased to provide” an AGM Trading Update and this commences; “After a strong performance in FY 2022, the group's strategy continues to secure further market share and strengthen customer relationships, expanding the client base ahead of a broader economic recovery”. So what of a share price of 35p in response, still down from above 40p as recently as last month?
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Cat_Fixing_Lightbulb
PREMIUM CONTENT

Trying and (for now) failing to dob in someone for tax fraud – gosh the UK is so utterly 3rd world

I can show that there is in individual running two operations here on the Welsh English border who has all the hallmarks of someone dodging large amounts of tax. There is no company behind either site and, posing as a potential customer, I was offered the option of paying a basic fee in either cash or a bank transfer to the individual’s account. All ancillary goods or services are bought on site for cash. Workers appear to be paid in cash. It strikes me that with UK taxes at 70 year highs, going after those avoiding corporation tax, payroll taxes, enabling staff to avoid income tax, etc would be something the Government would want to do.
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BME
BME
PREMIUM CONTENT

B&M European Value Retail is quite punchy for a FTSE 100 company, but…

I have been in a B&M European Value Retail (BME) store a couple of times. It is alright or, as Malcolm smartly put it a few months ago, “cheap and cheerful, whilst still selling goods of a reasonable quality…just like Woolworth’s used to do”. I hope Malcolm purchased a few shares in the grocery and non-grocery business because the stock is up 20% or so since and also pays a 3% dividend yield (plus some special dividends).  What do I think with the stock up 6% today to around a five quid share price (and a pleasingly akin circa £5 billion market cap)?

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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? Well, an Awful Lot of Cable Anyway for this Tempting Mazuma Puller

Hello Share Givers. How about considering an outfit that owns underwater cables? Digital 9 Infrastructure (DGI9) has a network of wirework that improves internet access between the USA and here. And the more the net is put to work, the less the impact on the planet. Saving paper, transport and so on.
WTB
WTB
PREMIUM CONTENT

Whitbread is still seeing more demand and fewer real peers for its Premier Inn core business

I am such a fanboy of Whitbread (WTB), the company most of us know today as the owner of Premier Inn hotels. A number of years back I made a really solid return, especially after Coca-Cola purchased Costa Coffee off it for a decent amount of cash. I sold most of my shares during that time period, but joined in its money raising during the early days of COVID-19 as it sought to ensure Premier Inn focused business was going to be able to keep growing, not just in this country but also in Germany where it sees material future prospects. And that brings us to today’s “FY23” numbers.
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PMG
PMG
PREMIUM CONTENT

Parkmead Group continues to promise a lot but is best avoided until it actually delivers

Parkmead Group (PMG) has been a great example of why the past performance of directors and management in the oil sector isn’t always a good indicator of similar successes in the future.
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FUL
FUL
PREMIUM CONTENT

Fulham Shore – after stating a year ago with the shares above 15p “confident of its exciting potential”… a recommended offer at 14.15p!

Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurants company Fulham Shore (FUL) is “pleased to announce… a recommended all cash offer… of 14.15 pence for each Fulham Shore share”. How ‘pleasing’ is this?
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PREMIUM CONTENT

Is Silicon Valley Bank a one-off event or an indication of wider reaching risks in the banking sector?

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has been all over the news and it’s the second largest US bank to ever find itself in this position, but is it just a one-off or a sign of further problems for the banking sector and the risk of a complete meltdown?
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HBR
HBR
PREMIUM CONTENT

Harbour Energy has great long term potential and is trading too cheaply - buy

If you still see a future for North Sea oil and gas, as I do, then I think Harbour Energy (HBR) is definitely worth a look at the current price, and also has the advantage of having interests in other parts of the world.
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SQZ
SQZ
PREMIUM CONTENT

The Serica acquisition of Tailwind looks like terrible value for existing shareholders if it goes through

I’ve always been a big supporter of Serica Energy (SQZ) since first covering it on this site as a buy at around 5p some years back, and since then it has done rather well, but I’m really struggling to get behind the acquisition deal that it recently announced whilst I was off on my travels.
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CKT
CKT

Checkit – “contract wins and investor presentation”, what about the ‘accelerate investment’ reversal?

‘Deskless workforce’ technology company Checkit (CKT) has announced contract awards and the shares are currently up by more than 9% to 24p in response. So what of a now approaching £26 million market capitalisation?
PREMIUM CONTENT

Chocolate is a sweet treat but you still cannot say the same for Hotel Chocolat shares

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. 2023 is going to be an interesting one, but it is not impossible out there and even the average boring institutional investor should do better this year than they did during the last twelve months or so. In short, as always, I enter a new year with the glass being half full and not half empty – as any thoughtful active investor should do. The key is to keep on learning. And all this means that, whilst some stocks are buys today, many others are at best an avoid…which brings me onto Hotel Chocolat Group (HOTC).
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PREMIUM CONTENT

Currys inevitably has a few worries, but…

As I said five months ago, “Currys (CURY) is not AO World (AO.) (thankfully)” but, judging by its interim results today, the former still has a few worries to deal with.

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VOD
VOD
PREMIUM CONTENT

Another CEO at Vodafone realises the company is a big yawn

Back in July I observed, not for the first time, that “the deep yawn continues at Vodafone (VOD)”. Since then, the multinational telecommunications company has continued to perform disappointingly. And today the current CEO has decided to exit (quite soon). Interesting.

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TON
TON

Titon Holdings – “Trading Update” again, profit (lack of) warning again

Previously writing on ventilation systems and window and door hardware company Titon Holdings (TON), in July with the shares down to 75p I noted my prior caution justified; trading warning – concluding that uncertainties saw me continue to avoid. The shares last closed at 81p... but today another trading update.

PREMIUM CONTENT

A poor reaction to Pets At Home interim results provides a buying opportunity

Back in July I covered Pets at Home Group (PETS) as a buy based on my opinion that I expected the business to continue performing strongly, as we are a nation of pet-lovers and spending on them would be one of the last things that many people would cut back on. Since then the share price has seen some ups and downs, broadly in line with wider market sentiment, but yesterday it took a bit of a kicking and closed down over 5% at 289p, on a day where the FTSE actually performed reasonably well, after it released its results for H1 2023, up until October 13 2022 and covering a 28 week period. Having looked at the results I can’t really see what the market didn’t like, as they are in line with guidance in terms of full year pre-tax profit expectations on £131 million, with a range of £121-136 million.

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WTB
WTB
PREMIUM CONTENT

I remain a fan of both staying at a Premier Inn and owning shares in Whitbread

As I noted most recently last week, I am a big personal fan of Whitbread plc (WTB) and its Premier Inn brand. I even contributed a few quid to its profitability numbers over recent months. How excited am I then about its “performance driven by our ‘investing to win’ strategy over the last two years”, “well-placed to capitalise on the strong market recovery in the UK and Germany”, and “adjusted profit before tax of £271.9m, including £24.9m losses in Germany”?

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ANG
ANG

Angling Direct – interims state “pleased to have continued to grow sales”… but not anymore?

Previously writing on fishing retailer Angling Direct (ANG), in August with the shares down to 30p I concluded that the trajectory of trading saw me retain my cautious stance of most recently a 62p share price. The shares most recently closed at 32p but are currently below 30p on the back of half-year results.

PREMIUM CONTENT

Headlam – half-year trading statement, a value Buy?

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

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WTB
WTB

As Folks Rush Back to Hotels, Whitbread Is Set Fair to Improve Business - and its Share Price

Hello Share Pickers. You don’t hear much about shareholder perks these days. But one company still handing out discounts to its investors is Whitbread (WTB). Staying at one of its Premier Inns, they and the family get a free breakfast. Which isn’t, of course, a good reason to buy the shares.

CNE
CNE
PREMIUM CONTENT

Capricorn Energy is only trading at around cash in the bank and is too cheap given its producing assets - buy or hold

Capricorn Energy (CNE) has seen its share price weaken since it announced a tender offer as opposed to a special dividend, which many investors had been expecting, but remains one to hold.

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PREMIUM CONTENT

IGas offers future potential as a diversified energy play - speculative buy

IGas Energy (IGAS) has been performing well recently in terms of the share price, but following the latest trading and reserves update it has taken a bit of a hit and pulled back more than 14%.

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Filta Group – trading update, is “delighted with the group's performance in 2021” merited?...

Provider of fryer management and other services to commercial kitchens, Filta Group (FLTA) has announced a “trading update” including CEO Jason Sayers “delighted with the group’s performance in 2021 despite the ongoing challenges from Covid-19… significant growth in revenue, whilst managing these challenges”. So what of the shares, having currently responded up to 143.5p?…

PREMIUM CONTENT

Much as I like chocolate, I am still avoiding Hotel Chocolat shares

I am trying to remember when I last went to a Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) store. I certainly bought a few Christmas presents in late 2019…and a couple of bargains in early 2020. Anyhow, whilst historically liking the products, I did pass on its 355p money raising in July last year…and that was a mistake given the share price has been at/above 500p for the last four months. So how do I feel after today’s trading update for the ‘13-week period (“Q2”) and the 26-week period (“H1”) ended 26 December 2021’?

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WTB
WTB
PREMIUM CONTENT

I like Whitbread shares... and will soon be booking a room too

When I last looked, Whitbread (WTB) shares were in the top ten of my personal pension fund positions. I have been a fan at various levels for years, having enjoyed the share price bump after Coca-Cola purchased the company’s Costa unit at a decent multiple to take a decent profit, and then invested it back into the share when the Premier Inn owner decided to raise some money back during the 2020 COVID-19 uncertainties. I may not have made it one of my formal two tips of the year during the Christmas holidays, but I am still hopeful of a return to a c. 40 quid share price as I discussed back in June last year. So what do I make of its Q3 update today?

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PCI-PAL – how “excellent” the start to its current year?...

Previously writing on payment software for business communications company PCI-PAL (PCIP), in September with the shares at 76p I noted announcement of patent lawsuits filed against it, to “defend itself robustly” but that the valuation looked to demand, at least, smooth delivery and that I continued to avoid. So what following patent case and trading updates, and the shares currently further lower below 70p?…

NXR
NXR

Norcros – “excellent first half”… but how sustainable is this performance?

Previously writing on bathroom and kitchen products company Norcros (NXR), in February 2020 I noted a set-to-be-impacted year and avoided as the shares slid from 291p. They last closed at 290p but now a trading update sees them up to above 320p.

Looking for a Covid-Boosted Share Which might Continue to Rocket? Fly me to the Moonpig

Hello, Share Mashers. This old punter avoids shares in companies which sell greetings cards in the old fashioned way. But I’m quite disposed to Moonpig Group (MOON), which sends them out digitally. My grown-up kids use the service regularly and, as more people become computer literate, custom is likely to increase.

Filta Group – what does “continues to experience an increasing level of demand” mean financially?

Provider of fryer management and other services to commercial kitchens, Filta Group (FLTA“is pleased to report that it continues to experience an increasing level of demand for its services in all of its operating territories”. What does this operationally and financially mean?…

This Kitchen King's Shares Have Bounced Back from a Covid Crash and Are Set to Cook Up More

Hello Share Jumpers. In this household we eschew a fitted kitchen. We have what’s known among people of taste as a farmhouse kitchen. We use old wooden tables instead of worktops and have free standing cupboards and a Belfast sink. But I have to acknowledge that persons of other discernment prefer a fitted kitchen. The biggest supplier of kitchen stuff in Blighty is Howden Joinery Group (HWDN). I’ve not commended this company for some time, but the future looks rosy.

SNX
SNX

Synectics – “Business Update”, how’s the recovery potential?...

Previously writing on security and surveillance systems company Synectics (SNX), with the shares at 150p earlier this month I questioned recovery potential?. The shares are currently 142.5p on the back of a “Business Update”. How’s latest performance and the outlook?…

HSV
HSV
PREMIUM CONTENT

Markets open positively after Easter...but did HomeServe shares peak last year?

It is good to see the UK market opening up again after the Easter break, including a pleasantly positive move by Central Asia Metals (CAML) which I positively wrote up yesterday HERE. Otherwise I have been following Tom’s comments on the comedy Deliveroo (ROO) float. I note this morning’s update that ‘Deliveroo Holdings plc will announce its trading update for the First Quarter of 2021, on Thursday 15th April’ as finally a bit of sensible news from this one. Look forward to writing that up then…and finally giving a view about whether the nearly 30% share price fall since last week’s float has made it close to being at an interesting share price…or not! Elsewhere I also see that HomeServe (HSV) is out with an update…

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SHI
SHI
PREMIUM CONTENT

SIG remains cautious but I am not dumping my (small) shareholding

Just over a year ago I wrote an article mildly bizarrely titled ‘Only Oscar Wilde understands SIG plc’ HERE. You can read about what I trying to say, but suffice to say the (fortunately very few) shares I owned in SIG plc (SHI), the ‘leading European supplier of specialist building solutions to trade customers across the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Benelux’, did not have a good 2020. However – in line with much of the market – the shares have at least doubled since eleven months ago. So do I move on or think about doubling up my holding?

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PREMIUM CONTENT

The hype over SPACs and why UK listed companies don't fit the bill

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) seem to be the new buzz word in the UK markets at the moment, certainly amongst PIs on social media anyway, and it would also seem that a few AIM company directors are getting involved as well.

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CLG
CLG

Clipper Logistics – trading update; Logistics revenue +50%, Profit?...

“Trading Update” from ‘logistics, e-fulfilment and returns management services’ company Clipper Logistics (CLG) includes “November and December, revenues in its logistics business were 50.0% higher than in the corresponding period of the prior year, with strong growth in both e-commerce related activities and non e-fulfilment services”. What does a share price currently up to 600p discount?…

Gold
PREMIUM CONTENT

Gold – Another Reason to Hold as No-Deal Looms

The gamesmanship is in full play between the UK and its former EU partners. Reading the runes, it looks as though no-deal is the front runner, but you never know what may happen at half a second to midnight so I’ll wait for the fat lady to warble her final aria before giving up hope that common sense might, in the end, prevail. But if the talks fail to see a deal signed sealed and delivered, my sense is that this will prove a great reason for keeping gold-exposure high.

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UJO
UJO
PREMIUM CONTENT

No reason to sell Union Jack shares prior to completion of the West Newton side track drill...in fact

Whenever a smaller oil company is drilling a well these days you pretty much have to expect the share price to get hammered unless they announce a substantial find that exceeded market expectations, and that is exactly what hammered to Union Jack Oil (UJO) this week.

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WTB
WTB
PREMIUM CONTENT

Whitbread is sticking with the plan (and I'm sticking with the shares)

In the wider scheme of things, no huge surprises in today’s first half numbers from Premier Inn owner Whitbread (WTB). You will recall my history with this one – I took big profits thanks to the largesse of Coca-Cola in buying Costa at a material premium (how’s that one working out I wonder?), but then backed the rights issue and even  last time  observed I would increase my stake even further at twenty quid a share. I did not get that opportunity but market moves and shifts might still give me that opportunity as pandemic angst continues. Today’s update builds on the bare bones of the trading update I wrote up a month or so ago at the link above…

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I3E
I3E
PREMIUM CONTENT

I3 Energy has a terrible track record, but following significant investment by IIs, is it worth another look?

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

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LBE
LBE
PREMIUM CONTENT

I like Longboat Energy and the management but am struggling to see value at the current price

Longboat Energy (LBE) is a company that I actually like and hope does well longer term but, having seen its share price double, I’m finding it hard to see where the value is up here and would be inclined to at least bank some profit...

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SHI
SHI
PREMIUM CONTENT

SIG offers longer term recovery potential if it can ride out the coming months

Covid-19 has had a big impact on many companies and quite a number of them now look priced to pretty much completely fail and go bust.

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TRN
TRN

Trainline's rapid growth will be derailed and the market cap looks ludicrous - short

Most of the shares I cover here are from a longer term investment perspective, or ones which I think will go a lot lower and are best avoided.

PREMIUM CONTENT

Cineworld looks likely to become a victim of Covid-19

With the current state of the markets there isn’t a lot that I would exactly be rushing to buy at the moment, as I think that even the good companies that have strong enough balance sheets to survive relatively unscathed, could well go a fair bit lower yet.

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SAL
SAL

SpaceandPeople – dividend canned, shares tanking but still a sell

Previously writing on ‘retail, promotional and brand experience’ company SpaceandPeople (SAL), last month I reviewed some trading & dividend growth… so why further share price decline? – that to 11.25p. The shares are currently sliding below 5p, following “Notice of Results Update & Dividend Cancellation” and “Appointment of Executive Director” announcements…

PREMIUM CONTENT

Superdry – e-commerce channel “remains fully open for business” & cost savings BUT…

“Statement re Current trading and COVID-19 update” from fashion retailer Superdry (SDRY) sees the shares currently more than 30% further lower on the back of it, below 70p…

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HSW
HSW
PREMIUM CONTENT

Hostelworld has had a rough patch but pays a good dividend and could turn things around - buy

Although my main focus is in the oil and mining sectors, I do also follow quite a few shares which don’t fall into this category, with Hostelworld (HSW) being one of them.

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GVC
GVC
PREMIUM CONTENT

GVC ups its numbers again!

Oops...they did it again. Fortunately on gambling company GVC (GVC) I am talking about a profit upgrade. Now admittedly the Q3 trading update is talking about a 'pre-IFRS16 ebitda' but it is going up in terms of the full year guidance to £670-680 million from £650m-670 million, which sits nicely with the August upgrade

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PMG
PMG
PREMIUM CONTENT

Despite the related party transactions Parkmead Group is a BUY

I’ve always been a fan of Parkmead Group (PMG), but after the last couple of RNSs there have been for this company, I can’t help wondering if my faith in it to succeed may have been misplaced.

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YOU
YOU

YouGov – “now expected to be comfortably ahead of expectations”… but what does the valuation already discount?

Research data and analytics company YouGov (YOU) is “pleased to report that the group's trading for the year ending 31 July 2019 is now expected to be comfortably ahead of expectations for the year”. Sounds good – but what are the expectations and how do they compare to a now more than 560p per share, approaching £600 million, valuation?…

RRE
RRE
PREMIUM CONTENT

My RockRose tip is up nearly 450% but I wouldn't be rushing to cash in just yet

RockRose Energy (RRE) has been one of the real success stories amongst smaller oil and gas producing companies in recent times and has grown its business at an incredible rate via a number of acquisitions. It has come an awful long way since I first covered it as a buy here back in April 2018 at around the 350p level, and today it relisted following a deal which constituted a reverse takeover of the Marathon UK and Marathon West of Shetland assets for $140 million. Currently it is trading at around the 1,900p level with a market cap of circa £240 million, representing a profit of nearly 450% for anyone who followed my original buy recommendation...

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ANG
ANG
PREMIUM CONTENT

Angling Direct could have long term potential if it continues growing rapidly

The angling market is a sector that I know very well as I also work in marketing for the UK’s largest tackle manufacturer, and in the past I haven’t been convinced that the shares in Angling Direct (ANG) have offered any value for investors...

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UJO
UJO

Why haven't the share prices of the companies involved in West Newton, Union Jack and Reabold, rocketed?

As is so often the case with oil and gas drills amongst the smaller companies, private investors built expectations around West Newton up to such a level that the actual results were never likely to live up to that.

CNA
CNA
PREMIUM CONTENT

Centrica is out of favour but has recovery potential longer term

The past couple of years haven’t been great for FTSE100 stock Centrica (CNA), including the share price having halved during that time, but it could have recovery prospects from the current share price...

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Newsboy

A ban on shorting AIM companies would lead to a lot of the bad ones quickly going bust! (TW - Gary Newman talking bollocks)

There has been a lot of talk on social media recently about a petition to ban the short selling of AIM listed stocks - although it currently only has a little over 3,200 signatures, including a few CEOs, and is well short of the 10,000 needed to even get the government to respond – 100,000 are needed for a Parliamentary debate...

PREMIUM CONTENT

InfraStrata's Islandmagee gas project has plenty of potential - speculative buy

Whilst InfraStrata (INFA) is considered to operate in the oil and gas sector it is very different to most other companies, as rather than looking to extract hydrocarbons, it is intent on putting them back into the ground.

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SML
SML
PREMIUM CONTENT

Strategic Minerals copper mine is due to come online soon - speculative buy

I’m always very wary of investing in small mining companies, as even when the management team and the assets look decent, it is still a bit of a lottery as to whether the company will actually make it to a stage where it is making a profit and returning money to shareholders via dividends.

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NXR
NXR

Norcros – interims, “remains confident” BUT…

Bathroom and kitchen products company Norcros (NXR) has announced results for its half-year ended 30th September 2018 and that it “remains confident…to make further progress in line with its expectations for the year to 31 March 2019”

SXX
SXX
PREMIUM CONTENT

Patience will pay longer term with Sirius Minerals

When investing in a company long term it is all about getting in at a good price, rather than having to buy right at the bottom of any temporary dips along the way, as long as things go to plan for the business.

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RRE
RRE
PREMIUM CONTENT

Rockrose continues to impress with its rapid expansion - buy

With oil prices remaining buoyant and this trend looking likely to continue going forwards, there are still plenty of opportunities to invest in companies in this sector.

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Crash
PREMIUM CONTENT

I'm a fan of the Aston Martin brand but won't be tempted by the IPO

I’m a big fan of Aston Martin cars and it is one of the most famous brands from the UK, but I can’t see myself rushing to buy shares when the IPO takes place in early October. More details on exactly how the floatation will be structured should become available when the car maker publishes a prospectus around September 20, but it is expected that it will be seeking a valuation of around £5 billion.

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HUR
HUR
PREMIUM CONTENT

Great deal for Hurricane Energy - buy

All of the focus has been on Hurricane Energy’s (HUR) Lancaster licence, and although its other assets looked very good I wasn’t expecting further progress quite so quickly.

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HUR
HUR
PREMIUM CONTENT

Why I think Hurricane Energy really is worth nearly £1 billion and maintain a conviction buy

Regular readers of ShareProphets will know that I am usually very wary of any natural resources company that isn’t actually producing anything, especially if they are valued in the hundreds of millions.

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PREMIUM CONTENT

I have to wonder why any sane person would invest in The People's Operator

A couple of months back I wrote an article HERE suggesting that investors steer well clear of failing AIM company The People’s Operator (TPOP), and there have been a number of developments since then.

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The People's Operator remains one of the worst companies on AIM!

The People’s Operator (TPOP) is one of a number of AIM companies where you have to wonder whether there is really any point in it continuing to stay in business, other than generating fees for its brokers.

IDP
IDP

Hard to see value in InnovaDerma at the current share price

Whenever a company doubles in share price in a short space of time it tends to get my attention, and I look for reasons that justify such a sudden increase.

HUR
HUR

Hurricane Energy is nearing first production, buy for the rise

When it comes to anything on the operational front amongst smaller companies in the oil sector you tend to pretty much expect some delays and the directors are often over optimistic when it comes to timelines for delivering certain milestones.

JOG
JOG

Jersey Oil and Gas is worth a look before it drills Verbier this summer

Jersey Oil and Gas (JOG) hasn’t had much luck in the past, having managed to get a decent sized field into production it was subsequently hammered by the collapse in the oil price.

Yet another pump and dump playing out on Nu-Oil and Gas

Nu-Oil and Gas (NUOG) seems to be one of those AIM shares which periodically finds favour with private investors, despite never actually having achieved anything of note other than burning through investors cash over the years.

Even at the current lows it is hard to see value in the People's Operator

The People’s Operator (TPOP) is one of those AIM companies where it is hard to see how it will survive in the longer term, and unless things somehow alter dramatically, the recent changes will only delay the inevitable.

It is easy to see why Ocado is heavily shorted

It isn’t hard to see why shopping delivery firm Ocado (OCDO) is one of the most shorted shares on the market, given its current valuation.

CNE
CNE

Buy the dips on Cairn Energy

Cairn Energy (CNE) is one of a number of oil producers which look to be unloved by the market currently, but I would expect that to change in the future. In recent years the company has had impressive amounts of reserves on its book, but has now moved to the stage where it is producing from several of those fields, and with more to come in the near future.

Can TalkTalk turn things around?

TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) has been having a torrid time recently and has pretty much seen its share price halved since the start of November. It has posted some disappointing results, and given that the slide in share price started just prior to the release of the interims around three months ago, it would seem that such figures weren’t entirely unexpected.

BCN
BCN

If you want to invest in lithium, don't ignore Bacanora

Lithium has been all the rage amongst AIM investors over the past few years, but the reality is that many of the projects which people have been getting excited about will fail to ever actually produce anything.

PMG
PMG

Increased stake in GPA is good news for Parkmead Group: Long Term Buy

I can understand why longer term investors in Parkmead Group (PMG) may be somewhat unimpressed with the performance of the share price recently, but the company itself is continuing to make good progress. I hold shares in the company myself, and whilst the share price has generally been trading in the mid-30p to low-40p range, in spite of the strength that the oil price has been showing in recent months, I’m happy to remain invested and see how things unfold in the coming months and years.

Bear

Parabolic moves don't end up going sidewards

Looking at all bull markets in the S&P since the year 1900, and then examined what happened in the very first year after each of those bull markets ended is interesting. In the first year of the bear market after the last full year of the bull market the numbers were striking and could be useful if 2017 ends up being the peak of the bull market.

SXX
SXX

Sirius Minerals has great long term investing potential

Sometimes investing takes a lot of patience, but if you are in at a fairly early stage and are prepared to hold long term, then you can reap the rewards whilst others are left wondering why they never bought any shares whilst the price was still relatively cheap.

Huge rise in Lionsgold shares despite 'no reason' statement from the board!

No matter how long you have been around the AIM market, there are often moves which seem to make little or no sense, especially amongst the smaller companies.

SQZ
SQZ

Deal with BP is exactly what Serica investors had been hoping for - BUY

Given that I have closely followed the Serica Energy (SQZ) story here closely over the last few years, and in light of the news this week, I felt that I should give my current thoughts on it.

PMG
PMG

Parkmead Group looks very cheap - buy

Often the valuation of resource companies on the AIM market seems to revolve more around how popular they are amongst private investors, than having much to do with the progress that they have made, and how well they are likely to do in the future.

SQZ
SQZ

Serica Energy is on the verge of restarting production - worth a nibble?

When it comes to the AIM resources sector, any sort of delay or news which is perceived to be negative can have a negative effect on the share price which is far from justified. Of course there is a lot of junk on the market and when bad news comes and it inevitably crashes, it is of no real surprise, but there are other companies where a temporary hit to the share price can present a great buying opportunity.

PMG
PMG

Parkmead Group has the potential to succeed in the long term

Usually it takes far longer for companies to move forwards operationally than the majority of investors expect, and it is at times when most people have become bored and moved on elsewhere, that opportunities can present themselves.

Will UK Oil and Gas ever produce large amounts of oil onshore in the UK? Er... sell!

I haven’t looked at UK Oil and Gas (UKOG), and more specifically the Horse Hill oil field, for quite a while and a lot has changed in the meantime, so I thought it about time that I revisited it.

HUR
HUR

Hurricane deal disappoints investors, but is it really that bad?

Hurricane Energy (HUR) is a company that I have followed closely, and have been invested in at various times, since it first floated on the AIM market, and it has come a long way since then.

SThree – trading update argues “solid base”, but what about the macro picture?

Shares in staffing business SThree (STHR) are currently trading higher, above 300p, on the back of a half-year trading update. However, they are still lower than the more than 330p reach earlier this year, so what’s the current story here?...

The People's Operator burns through cash at an astonishing rate

The People’s Operator (TPOP) was once a favourite with private investors but its share price has taken a tumble since the latter part of 2016. However, I believe that it is still well over-priced at its current level.

Well done Fevertree I was wrong - but i struggle even more to see value at this price

Fevertree Drinks (FEVR) is a company that I have admittedly been wrong about in the past – I like the product and way the business has grown, but thought the valuation was crazy!

PMO
PMO

Market gives a muted response to Premier Oil refinancing deal

The market doesn’t like uncertainty, and that is why Premier Oil (PMO) has been continuing to under-perform in comparison to some of its peers in the oil and gas producing sector in terms of the share price.

SQZ
SQZ

Serica remains a buy despite recent strong gains

Usually when shares in a small AIM company has risen by nearly 300% from the level where I recommended it as a buy, I would be advising to take your profits before the almost inevitable retrace that so many suffer from.

I remain bearish on Purplebricks going into 2017

So far I have been wrong about Purplebricks (PURP), but despite that I still view it as over-valued at the moment.

GMD
GMD

GAME Digital – full-year results, is this a sustainable proposition?

Following an August pre-close trading update which saw its shares lower to sub 70p, I now update on GAME Digital (GMD) with the shares falling to 67p on the back of its full-year results announcement…

Newsboy

Notes from Underground: Proof of knowledge on how to queue

As one of those terrible foreigners who have come to steal jobs from hard done by Brits, I'm already subject to a fingerprint check every time that I cross the border. Also, I have to use the terrible foreigner line-up instead of the whizzy EU/UK passport line.

zamano – from “positive performance in revenue & profit” to group contribution margins “lower” in less than 3 months…

Provider of interactive applications and services to mobile devices, zamano (ZMNO) “is pleased to issue an Interim Management Statement in conjunction with its Annual General Meeting”“Pleased to issue” - should be good then, wait, what? The shares are currently down approaching 17%, to 10p, on the back of it? Hmmm…

GMD
GMD

GAME Digital – expects to report adjusted EBITDA ‘within range’, so why are the shares still further down?

“Pre-Close Trading Update” announcement from GAME Digital (GMD) includes that it “expects to report an Adjusted EBITDA for the 53 weeks ended 30 July 2016 within the range of current market expectations”, though the shares are currently approaching 5% lower, at sub 70p, in response. Hmmm, let’s take a look...

SVS
SVS

Savills offers good long term value and growth prospects

Estate agents and housebuilders plummeted after Britain voted to leave the EU, as the chances of a slump in the property market were seen by some as having increased as a result of that outcome. I have no doubt that some companies in these sectors will be badly hit, especially those whose business is focussed around higher end properties in London, such as Foxtons, but for others I see the recent drops in share price as presenting a buying opportunity, especially when taking a longer term view.

AO
AO

AO World – shares ahead on Q1 trading statement. Hmmm…

Having long been bearish, I note shares in online electrical retailer AO World (AO.) are currently more than 10% higher today, at 148p, on the back of an AGM (and first quarter) trading statement. Let’s take a look…

Brammer – swiftly from second half “increased weighting” to profit & debt warning

At its 13th May AGM industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul products distributor Brammer (BRAM) announced that “whilst there will be an increased weighting of the group's financial results towards the second half, our expectations for the full year, assuming our key plans for improvement in the UK and Nordics are achieved, remain unchanged”. We are now though told of a “reduced level of profitability”, seeing that “the group will be close to its net debt/EBITDA bank covenant at the period end”

Crime-Scene

FCA must clampdown on abuses of major shareholding notification rules

The procedure for notifying the market about holdings above a certain level in a company is supposed to make everything more transparent, but at times the opposite would appear to be true.

MSI
MSI

MS International - Power Ahead

MS International (MSI) is a good solid AIM industrial company, with specialisations in defence equipment, fork-arms and petrol station superstructures. It’s the type of business which will probably never light up the bulletin boards, but it should! And today’s results show that performance continues to power ahead.

BEG
BEG

Begbies Traynor – Looking to Benefit from the Pent-up Demand of Mass Bankruptcies

Begbies Traynor (BEG) is a fine example of a counter-cyclical stock. As the UK’s leading independent insolvency practitioners, they see a great deal of business when other firms are failing. It has been an unexciting value stock for the past several years, but this morning’s acquisition news shows there is still plenty of potential here.

DRV
DRV

Driver Group – revenues projected to be ‘in line’, but profit? …

Construction and engineering consultancy group Driver (DRV) has updated that “March and April revenues were strong and the current workload / pipeline indicates that the group will deliver revenues for the year ending 30 September 2016 at least in line with current market expectations. However… believes that profit for the current year will be significantly short of market expectations”. Uh oh…

BOO
BOO

Good set of results from Boohoo, but is the upside now priced in?

Online fashion retailer Boohoo (BOO) has undergone a steady recovery over the past 15 months or so, but I would question how much further this run of upwards momentum can extend.

GBO
GBO

FRAUD Globo: Costis Reported to Rozzers in Greece, Cyprus and UK and FCA on the case (at last)

Thanks entirely to the courageous investigative journalism of the snot gobbler Dan “microscopic cojones” McCrum at the FT, ex Globo (GBO) boss Costis Papadimitrakopoulos is now formally in the soup – the company has reported him for fraud to “the appropriate law enforcement agencies in the UK, Greece and Cyprus.”

Acropolis

The Oxi poster that says nothing but says it all for Greece

Think Stoke Newington in London. Edgy, lefty but with a stack of affluent middle class Guardian readers among the poor. That’s the sort of neighbourhood of Athens in which I am staying. Everywhere there are Oxi posters – this area is voting No heavily in the referendum on Sunday. Even the businesses display posters – they are not afraid of losing customers because this area is heavily Oxi. One poster (see below) says nothing but says it all.

UKIP

Don't Knock Immigrants – They're boosting Your Shares

Hello Share Winners. There is a lot of worry about immigrants coming to Britain. It's helping UKIP to do well in by-elections and in the polls.

Stock-Chart-(Generic)

The Two Reasons Why Shares Are Stagnating Will Vanish Soon.

Hello Share Smiths. There are a lot of dark predictions going around. Everybody seems to expect share prices to tumble. Our Uncle Tom Winnifrith is among the gloomy brigade. He thinks shares are overvalued. But I think all these dire expectations are being overdone.

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