Hello Share Squashers. In uncertain economic times, folks worry about their future. Leaving money in a building society or bank isn’t going to earn enough interest to offset galloping inflation. So the wiser person thinks of taking out more in the way of pensions. Step up Phoenix Group (PHNX), one of Blighty’s biggest pension providers.

As a lifelong non-smoker it is a bit ridiculous how much of an investment fan I am of Imperial Brands (IMB) shares, which are up over 8% today after the company’s first half numbers. But if everything that was potentially bad for you was not allowed and taxed then investors in a bunch of other consumer, defence, industrial, commodity and other areas would not be allowed. Given the world’s stock markets do tend to have to figure out over time if a sector and/or company is justifiable or not, my view is that all adults - and pension funds - can figure out whether they want to invest somewhere or not.

Previously writing on provider of digital commerce, products and related services to the promotional products industry, Pebble Group (PEBB), in December with the shares at 147.5p I noted a lot of net cash generation ‘scaling’ looked needed to justify the valuation and that I avoided. The shares are currently 110p, though that with they more than 22% higher today on the back of 2021 results. So what’s the story?…

Provider of technology, services and products to the promotional products industry, Pebble Group (PEBB) “is pleased to announce that the group’s results for the year ending 31 December 2021 are expected to be at least in line with market expectations… has a focused strategy to invest in scaling… recurring revenues, alongside the continued attraction and retention of major contracts”. So why are the shares, at 147.5p, down from when I previously wrote?…

Back in late July last year I observed HERE that ‘Not every company is as smart or helpful as Next plc (NXT)’. Since then the stock has risen from below £57 to today’s price of over £80. So how is the clothing (and other) retailer getting on and is there any value today in the name?

Hello, Share Pickers. Oh, dear! It’s always worrying when I do this. But I want to bring you news of a company which Uncle Tom has been critical of in the past. He’s done that mainly on the grounds of value. And he’s a value investor. But this company looks to be building better foundations and the future for its particular market looks chirpy…

Touchstar (TST) has updated including “positive trading has flowed into greatly improved cashflow” – and the shares have currently responded nearly 20% higher to 55p...

A rough day in the markets as worries about the coronavirus, supply chains and much else linger. If you noted my call that sub thirty quid was a potentially interesting level for Carnival (CCL), I guess today is the day for acquiring a few. Naturally, I will be joining... but onto something more boring…

An RNS this morning of a Strategic and Trading Update from fully-listed Crest Nicholson (CRST) brought bad news for investors: a volatile trading environment has seen full year earnings guidance chopped and although we are promised the 33p dividend is still expected to be met, it is only for the current financial year – and then only if trading conditions do not further deteriorate significantly. But there is good news for Woodford investors - well the former ones, at any rate.

Spend management software and services company Proactis (PHD) has updated including “we are encouraged by the group's performance and especially the level of cash generation in the second half of the year… we expect this level of cash flow performance to continue as the group delivers on the benefits identified during the operational review” and that a formal sales process has seen it having “received a number of expressions of interest”. The shares are though currently slightly lower to 50p – and also comparing to more than 100p as recently as February…

Previously writing on technical fluid power products supplier Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO), in October I concluded with the shares just below 120p that earnings forecasts suggest value but I’d want further evidence of delivery amidst the now prevailing “steadier” market conditions - particularly ability in terms of net cash generation. Today a half-year trading update…

Hello, Share Bringers. I am still smarting at the time taken to resolve the Beaufort Securities affair. Now my shares have all been split among many different brokers to avoid the trauma of this happening to me again. Though I eventually got all my shares back at no cost, the time taken to sort things out meant I couldn't sell vulnerable stock in the interim. But one advantage of swapping to The Share Centre is that I do get more company reports than I did from Beaufort...

Back in August I mused about Headlam (HEAD), which claims to be 'Europe's largest distributor of floorcoverings, providing the distribution link between suppliers and customers across the UK and Continental Europe'. Since then the shares have fallen further and today's update has deepened that trend…

A “Trading Update” from Brighton Pier Group (PIER) – and the shares currently down around 30%, at circa 45p. Uh oh – after the recent Patisserie Holdings (CAKE) debacle (and with its continuing share suspension), doesn’t look like things are getting any easier for ‘Lucky Luke’ Johnson…

Writing previously on K3 Business Technology (KBT) towards the end of 2017, I concluded I’d want further evidence of meaningful progress before reconsidering a present cautious stance. Half-year results today include “pleased with the progress K3 has made over the first half… we believe that K3 is very well-positioned to make further progress over the second half of the year, and view growth prospects with confidence”…

“Evolving the proposition channel strategy”, “differentiated segment and channel propositions”, “technology-led efficiency proposition, adopting a more consultative sales approach”, “invest in the development of a multi-channel ‘go to market’ strategy”. Welcome to a “Strategy Update” announcement from Utilitywise (UTW). Who’s swallowed the dictionary of management bullshit?...

Hello Share Sweepers. You may know that I made an awful lot of gelt out of an early investment in IQE (IQE), the Welsh lot who make thingies for mobile phones and other stuff (Don’t you marvel at my technical expertise?). Reacting, as I near always do, to Tom’s advice to sell fast last year, I got rid of three-quarters of my IQE shares. But I’m a superstitious soul. So I did dare not part with all my shares, which have probably made me the most profit ever from a single punt. This has proved a bit of a disaster, as now I would like to sell my remaining holding.

Hello, Share Snafflers. So IQE’s (IQE) full-year results are out and once again they fail to electrify the City. This led to a full analysis of the new numbers by a sceptical Uncle Tom. As you’d expect, this investigation is fiercely penetrative. And once again, we owners of the stock are frightened to death by what Tom says.

Under promise and over deliver is what every adviser tells every company listing on AIM. One might say that Ariana (AAU) has not kept to that script with perfection since it listed all those years ago back in the black and white era. But as we move though 2018 with the 50% owned Red Rabbit mine now operational Ariana is doing what it should as we saw in a cracking operational update this week.

Shares in traffic and rail software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) have recently fallen back below 500p, but are currently rebounding on the back of a Trading Update…

Previously updating on provider of technology and services for 'smart' buildings and commercial spaces, RedstoneConnect (REDS) last year I concluded at a now 167.5p (there’s been a 1:100 share consolidation) that the valuation looked high for the just reported numbers, but will not be on the suggested growth potential being delivered and the stock was on the watchlist. With the company’s year ending this month, we now have a Business Update…

“SDL plc (SDL), a leader in global content management and language translation software and services, is providing an update on the trading performance for year ending 31 December 2017. SDL's sales pipeline for the period is in line with expectations. However,”… Uh oh.

Having fallen from approaching 24p at the commencement of last week towards 17p, there’s been a 12:35pm “Stmnt re Share Price Movement” announcement from CyanConnode (CYAN)…

A trading update announcement from tool and equipment group HSS Hire (HSS) is headlined “Decisive actions return Group to profitability” - and the shares have currently responded higher. However, down from above 80p at the commencement of 2017, they are only up 1p presently on the day at 29p…

Last year I noted Cloudcall (CALL) going from ‘clearly enough cash to reach break-even’ to £3.77 million placing in less than 5 months. It stated on that placing that it would see it able to capitalise on “near term growth opportunities, without the working capital constraints which have hitherto restricted our rate of growth”. Just over a year later though there’s now a “proposed placing to raise £5.7million… to capitalise on near term growth opportunities”. Hmmm…

With its direction of financial performance reflected in a share price down from not far off 200p at the commencement of 2017 to 73p, an “in line” trading update from Utilitywise (UTW) might be expected to boost the shares. It hasn’t…

Having reached 18p last month, shares in e-procurement software provider EU Supply (EUSP) had slipped back slightly – but are currently further higher on the back of a “Contract win” announcement. This following a trading update earlier in the month…

Rail and traffic-focused technology and services company Tracsis (TRCS) has updated on a second half of its financial year ended 31st July 2017 “considerably stronger than the first half” and that “initiatives, our continued diversification, a good pipeline of M&A prospects, and anticipated industry momentum leaves the group well positioned as we enter the new financial year”. The shares have though currently responded unchanged at 440p. Hmmm…

Having been just above 40p, a June results announcement emphasising “strong cash generation and returns to a net cash position. Restructuring activities and tight cost control contribute to an increase in underlying operating margins” saw shares in power cord and harness assemblies company Volex (VLX) rise over the next month to comfortably above 60p. They are currently though back below this level after AGM and strategic partnership announcements…

QUIZ plc (QUIZ) has today listed on AIM, reckoning this “marks an exciting new phase in QUIZ's growth and development as a leading international omni-channel fast fashion brand”. In part one I looked at the current position and in this part two review the growth prospects and valuation…

A “Trading Update” announcement from chocolatier and retailer, Hotel Chocolat (HOTC), which near the start includes revenue “slightly ahead of market expectations”. The shares are though currently slightly lower, at circa 335p. Hmmm...

Hello Share Swipers. Quite a few insurance policies of mine have been taken over by one firm which seems to flood the market these days. I refer to Aviva (AV.), a firm which knows a lot about generating cash.

Shares in electronics products for the wireless telecoms infrastructure and related markets-focused, Filtronic (FTC) are currently the highest risers of the day. This on the back of a “Trading Update” announcement…

The most shorted company on AIM, Telit Communications (TCM) has announced “it has successfully placed” new shares to raise £39 million “to fund several identified acquisition opportunities, mainly in the IoT Services sector, which the company will look to execute in the near to medium term”. Hmmm…

Lombard Risk Management (LRM) has updated that it anticipates exceeding analyst consensus expectations for its year ended 31st March 2017 and “remains confident” looking ahead. What’s that though expected to be “in the region of £2.4m to £2.8m”? “Adjusted EBITDA”. Hmmm…

Having previously concluded it understandable that they remain below 40p, I note shares in Volex (VLX) currently rising above this level on the back of a “Trading Statement” announcement…

Writing on St Ives (SIV) last month, I concluded that I was far from as confident as the company and retained the scepticism which has served well from 125p. Now, a 12 noon “Statement re contract” announcement sees the shares further lower…

A trading statement from producer of natural feed additives for animals, Anpario (ANP) includes that the company “delivered a strong and improved second half revenue and adjusted profit performance in line with market expectation”. So why are the shares currently on the slide?...

Dual-listed in Ireland and on the LSE Kenmare Resources (KMR) has released what reads like a very positive trading update. Two questions spring to mind here: is it generating cash, and what about the debt position? But the company seems to have chosen to ignore completely its refinancing last year in reporting its finances.

Most recently commenting on marketing communications company Creston (CRE), I concluded, with the shares then recovering towards 100p, that, although the valuation remained potentially attractive, an unpromising combination of factors saw me retain the caution that has served well since I previously wrote. The following updates with the shares currently at 101.5p on the back of an AGM statement commencing that “the group has had a positive start to the year”...

You cannot complain when one of your tips of the year has put on over 35% in the last eight-and-a-bit months, but it would be fair to say a month or two into the year even I wondered what I had let myself in for with BHP Billiton (BLT).

“Utilitywise (UTW), the leading independent utility cost management consultancy, today provides an update on trading for the year ended 31 July 2016. The group expects to report significant revenue growth in the period with revenues of at least £82m (£69.1m 2015)”. Sounds promising, so why are the shares currently a further 6.5% lower, heading towards 133p? ...

Elektron Technology (EKT) CEO John Wilson emphasises that “the group continues to make progress in the delivery of new product development programmes in our growth brands, which the board believes will significantly enhance shareholder value”, though current revenues (six months ending 31st July 2016) “are expected to be lower than those for the same period last year”. Hmmm…

Shares in provider of email and marketing automation software and managed services to digital marketing professionals, dotDigital (DOTD) are on the rise on the back of a trading update for the company's year ended 30th June. Let’s take a look…

Having sold on the Nifty Fifty subscription site last year at above 100p, the following updates on Plastics Capital (PLA) with the shares currently at 93p following results for its year ended 31st March 2016…

Amino Technologies (AMO) has announced “a strong first half performance with record order intake and a very encouraging backlog to take into the second half of the year following sales growth in key regions”. Sounds interesting…

Following my 16th May review of the AGM trading update of provider of trading and risk management software to the commodity and energy markets, Brady plc (BRY), the company’s CEO Gavin Lavelle has been in touch to talk about the background of its 2015 and recently reported performance…

“Since the last trading update… structural changes in the markets in which Crossrider (CROS) operates have negatively impacted on the outlook for future trading”. Uh oh…

Having previously updated on Brady plc (BRY) to not be fooled by the 2015 ‘trading in line’ - it’s disingenuous spin, the following updates post the company's results announcement for the 2015 calendar year and, more recently, an AGM update...

I have noted before on a number of occasions that Volex is obsessed with spin and share price promotion but that its market cap (£59 million at 65p) is just a total Rum and coke. A grotesquely misleading RNS today only highlights the big problem with this enterprise: (lack of) cash generation.

Having risen to 45p following an announcement a couple of weeks ago that the US National Institute of Standards & Technology had validated its cryptographic modules as per Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 and that such encryption has been added to its solution suite, shares in Globo plc (GBO) have slipped back towards the pre-announcement price. Is this justified?

Shares in applied LED technology company Dialight plc (DIA) continue to trade well below the 1400p September 2013 highs, but at around 950p have also recovered meaningfully from the 700p levels to which they were reduced on an early 2014 profits warning. After the results announced last week, I take a look at the figures for the first half of 2014.