In just over two months' time I am officially going to be a potential customer of Saga plc (SAGA), “the UK's specialist in products and services for people over 50”. Undoubtedly a few of you are already practical experts, and have developed your own thoughts on the name, but from a purely investment perspective are the grumpy thoughts I gave on the stock almost a hundred days ago, still correct or not?

Fifteen months ago I said that “Naked Wines (WINE) shareholders will probably need a drink!”. Back then, the company’s shares were just over 150p and today they are below 65p. And yet, remarkably, the company says “adjusted EBIT of £17.4m, or £16.3m on a 52-week comparable basis (FY22: £2.0m), ahead of guidance (£13-17m) due to lower new customer investment”. What is going on at this, not even now £50 million market cap, business?

I have been wholly uninspired by Trainline (TRN) shares since the IPO from the “leading independent rail and coach travel platform” back in 2019. The stock has been a bit of a dog over the last four years, although it is little changed from my grumpy update on it earlier this year in May. Is Trainline still an avoid for me?

You may have read that the ARM IPO in America is set to be a ranging success, when markets the other side of the Atlantic open later today. Just over ten days ago, I observed that any punters looking to buy the shares in the market would be fools (despite the fact that most of our smartphones are somehow currently influenced by one of its products). My view remains that it is wise not to get excited by the hype (even if you made a fortune when ARM was UK market listed back in the day). And talking about hype, let’s talk about the world of wealth management.

Previously writing on window, door and roofline PVC products company Eurocell (ECEL), in May with the shares falling below below 110p I wrote profit warning, how much improvement in the near-term from here is there really likely to be? – and concluded to avoid. The shares most recently closed at 112.5p but are currently falling towards 100p on the back of half-year results.

A week ago I posted about the upcoming likely changes in the FTSE 100, and here we are with the formal selections. I know all the headlines will be about Marks & Spencer (MKS) rejoining, whilst Persimmon (PSN) shares fall out but, of the other changes, my guess would be that Johnson Matthey (JMAT) falling out (again) is more of an opportunity than a threat for a personal pension fund holding that I will now have to refer to as a FTSE 250 play. However, there is another stock I would like to talk about today…and that brings me to, how the hell is it up c.40% year-to-date, PensionBee (PBEE)?!…

Near the end of last year, I observed that “there was another whoopsie from Rank Group (RNK)”. As it happens, the shares are up year-to-date (although they are flat over the last year and down nearly 50% during the last five years). And I see that the average Mecca bingo hall is still having to hope about future profitability.

Back in April, I observed tatDeliveroo (ROO) is “still hoping you will spend your money” with it. The good news for it from today’s first half numbers is that revenue is up 5% year-on-year and its adjusted EBITDA is now positive. The less good news is that it is still making a loss and generating a negative free cash flow.

Back in October 2021, I observed about Moneysupermarket.com (MONY) concluding that new deals from the “start saving serious money today” company were a-coming. And clearly, they are, including a bunch of new TV adverts over the last few months, along with a bunch of MoneySavingExpert and Quidco angles for all the cost savers (inevitably) out there. How did its first half numbers get on and what are its prospects for the rest of this year and beyond?

Back in April I observed that ‘from the perspective that Saga plc (SAGA) describes itself as “a specialist in the provision of products and services for people over 50”, before the end of this year I am going to be one of its potential customers’. I told it later in the article that it really should not bother contacting me…and, so far, it sensibly has not done so. The reality today is that if the (slightly) more mature fraternity want something relevant, the average bank, holiday company, investment company can offer plenty. And we have not even mentioned the bunch of pure-internet alternatives. That is why, despite an excitable AGM update this morning which has helped push the company’s shares up 5% as I write, the shares are still unchanged year-to-date.

I am not a regular shopper at Tesco (TSCO), primarily because I live much closer to a very nice J Sainsbury (SBRY) store which suits the family very well. I have always hugely rated Tesco as a business though and have made decent money on the shares, especially when “Tesco Dave” turned it positively around a few years back. The volatility in September/October last year provided a great opportunity to reload at a sub two quid share price and a couple of months ago I observed that “if you are a pension fund investor…keep on holding its shares”. And, despite them currently remaining in the 260-270p range, owning Tesco shares remains so much more attractive than boring old government bonds following a trading update today.

Back in April, I talked about “jobs, revenues and Robert Walters plc's (RWC) dull update”. Since then the company’s shares have fallen even lower, but all of this decline is due to an over 10% fall this morning. Greetings to another dull update!

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)?

The last time I wrote on Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) about ten months ago, I called it a “comedy” and therefore the c.30% share price fall since then does not surprise me. With the shares now a few percent above the all-time low of last month, has the story started to change in the still just over £2 billion market cap name?

After a few quiet days over Easter, the UK market has a bunch of interesting larger cap updates this morning. I was positive on Tesco (TSCO) shares when they fell below a 200p level during the market excitement of early October. And, despite a share price rising over 20% over the following few months, earlier this year I concluded that they remained at least a strong hold for mainstream investors. However, as I write, the shares are back above a 270p price, which raises the question whether Tesco shares are still a strong hold or not?

A year ago when I called Moonpig Group (MOON) “Moonpig dot Covid-19”, the shares were trading at over two quid. Today, despite an over 15% romp after a trading update that in reality has more questions than answers, the share price is just below 135p. In short, the (apparently) ”leading online greeting cards and gifting platform” remains a dog.

Assuming you ignore a tiramisu for dessert every few months, it has been over thirty years since I last had any alcohol. Even when I was eighteen it did not really excite me, as back then all that interested me was economics and cycling…and not too much has changed since. Therefore, when Virgin Wines (VINO) says on its website that “more than 90% of our wines by volume are exclusive”, it does very little for me. A couple of years ago, during the deep COVID-19 excitement about internet home delivery, I observed that the then 200-250p share price of the recently-listed company did nothing for me and, with today’s share price just below 45p, it was very wise to call the shares a clear avoid back in 2021. I see today’s H1 2023 results start with the observation of a “strong performance from flagship WineBank scheme despite tough trading conditions”, though the harsh reality is that matters are terrible.

Four months ago, I noted that InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) “is still excited about the future hotel market…but it should not expect me to book a luxury global Regent or Crowne Plaza room in 2023!”. Famously, I am much more of a Premier Inn/Whitbread (WTB) sort of guy. Interestingly, as an investor, both year-to-date and over the last six months you would have made more money via a holding in the latter too!

All investors get plenty of stuff wrong, but the aim of the game is to get more stuff right. About nine months ago, I wrote about “888 Holdings plc (888), William Hill and mad deal excitement”. The former had a c. 250 pence share price at the time and today it is about a third of that level. Probably a good job that I concluded back then that “...I will generously call it one for the experts…and I am not one…Avoid”.

I have pretty much had the same view on Deliveroo (ROO) shares since its comedy IPO in 2021: by all means have a Deliveroo delivery a couple of times a year, but don’t buy the shares! I last said that in August when the shares were just below a one quid price and, despite lower bond yields and better larger cap markets since, the stock is still about the same price today. And you will not be surprised to know that today’s update is still banging on about how the online food delivery company will be profitable…at some point later this decade!

About six weeks ago, I noted why names such as Tesco (TSCO) and J Sainsbury (SBRY) remained very relevant for both the average shopper as well as the average investor. The shares have put on 10%+ since then, so I am not surprised that today’s update from the latter has led to a small share price decline this morning. It still remains relevant though or, as the Sainsbury’s third quarter headline put it, “strategy delivering volume market share gains and record Christmas”.

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.

Did you read Tom’s article yesterday titled “Lies, Damned Lies and The Mail's Jeff Prestridge on Neil Woodford as Hargreaves Lansdown faces a class action”? It was a really good read and raises a number of interesting questions. I don’t know about you, but class actions are generally worth a bit of a mention if you, conceptually, are giving a trading update a day or two later. And that brings us onto this morning’s trading update from Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.).

Writing on UK online electrical retail group Marks Electrical (MRK) in August with the shares at 72p I concluded the macro conditions saw me question already the bottom-line impact and for how long revenue will stand-up, ahead of half-year update/results avoid / sell. Today it updates on its half-year ended 30th September, emphasising “Continued revenue momentum, leading to market share gains and robust cash flow generation”, and the shares have responded up...to currently 58.5p. So what’s the story now?

Whilst shares in AO World (AO.) are currently up nearly 10% today as I write, the apparently “leading online electrical retailer” continues not to make an operating profit and has fallen into (admittedly slight) net debt, since corrected by a placing, I have not been a fan of this name for years and years, most recently back in early June when the stock looked a clear avoid at its then 72p share price. Despite today’s share price rise, it is now at a c. 45p share price level and still an Avoid for me. And talking about shares I have avoided for many years, how are those of Rank Group (RNK) getting along?

A trading update from UK online electrical retail group Marks Electrical (MRK) emphasises “proud of the performance” and the shares have currently responded up to 72p. However, in November it was “pleased to announce the admission… to trading on the AIM market… delighted to welcome our new shareholders”...at 110p per share. So what’s the trading situation now?

Hello Share Takers. My favourite insurance company has posted some good numbers for the first six months and looks set to have a good year. Its operating profit improved by 8% to a cool £1.2 billion. Cash generation jumped by 22% and the Legal & General (LGEN) five year growth target is performing as it should despite all the headwinds of a shaky current economy.

Back in April I wrote about “The continuing madness of Deliveroo” (ROO) HERE. I am sure there are a bunch of shareholders (and users) of the online food delivery company who are excited to see a c. 3% rise in the company’s shares today. But don’t forget it is still down a mere 52% year-to-date! And if you purchased last year’s IPO, I offer you my commiserations.

Back in February, I observed that Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) may have been at a six year low but the shares were still a strong avoid. Since then the stock has fallen further but apparently, “against a macroeconomic and geopolitical climate not seen in a generation”, Hargreaves Lansdown still remains optimistic about the future. Surely it is nothing to do with another launch opportunity from a leading fund manager?!

In early May I observed that “The Rightmove (RMV) CEO is wise to exit stage left after over 16 years”. The rise and rise of online property porn has been such a huge focus for the average adult over the last twenty of so years. We are - after all - genius new home selectors, ranked only just below the “Location, Location, Location” presentation Gods. So why are Rightmove shares down year-to-date?

Just under a week ago I wrote about how boring BT Group (BT.A) shares are. However, whilst I was right to buy a bunch of the shares a couple of years ago, when the share price has moved very close to my two quid share price target I have failed to book my profit and run. But what has gone, has gone and what am I going to do with the shares that today are down about 5% to just shy of 168p?

I talked about the “boring world of Vodafone” (VOD) back in April HERE. I am sure that some investors are excited about the stock’s year-to-date movement, but the last five, ten, fifteen or twenty years has been a bit of a shocker. I have (correctly) not owned the stock for ages but (finally) is it starting to change?

Where do I start with the recent headlines about shares in the Royal Mail (RMG)? We certainly could start with the observation late yesterday that “Postal strike looms as Royal Mail workers back walkouts in pay and jobs row”. Alternatively, we could look at this morning’s observation about first quarter trading of “revenue down 11.5% year on year…reflecting weakening retail trends, lower test kit volumes and a return to structural decline in letters”. And we could even talk about the observation - also out today - that “Royal Mail threatens split after name change to International Distributions Services”. Or we could just talk again about ANOTHER fall in Royal Mail’s share price!

I noted a couple of months ago on Trainline (TRN) that the stock was a “distinct Avoid for me…in a year’s time it might announce a full year 2023 profit but it would not surprise me if the share is once again c. two quid and not the current c. three quid share price by then”. Why then are Trainline shares up over 15% today?

Hello Share Bunnies. Some of us aren't particular fans of consultants who help to run other companies. Why can't decent firms get by on their own? But in the internet jungle it pays to involve real experts in a changing and ever more complex world. Softcat (SCT) is a company that’s been providing computer know-how for the last 25 years.

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.

I am sure there are some people who are still very hopeful about their Marks & Spencer (MKS) shares but I dumped mine so long ago that I guess even a pair of its expensive boxers would have worn out by now. Forget though the 60% fall in the company’s share price over the last five years or the 40% fall year-to-date, or even the decision of the CEO to exit stage left after six years in charge, is there any interest in the shares over the next year or not?

It is no surprise to see Mondi (MNDI) shares up over 6% today after its positive trading update out after the close yesterday. I am a bit of a fan of both Mondi and its rough peer DS Smith (SMDS) as mentioned about both of them back in March, but a FTSE 350 name I’ve not been a fan of is Trainline (TRN). So why has its full year numbers today pushed the shares up by nearly 5%?

It might be a couple of days before Good Friday but there is a lot going on in global markets. After all yesterday American consumer price index numbers were at a 41 year high, whilst today’s equivalent numbers in the UK were ‘only’ at a 30 year high. Of course, this is a big worry for many people but - as anyone who has been working for 20 plus years knows very well - you should never ignore the threat of inflation (unless you anticipate negligible economic growth for the rest of the 2020s). And all this chat brings me onto numbers from Tesco (TSCO) this morning which have helped push its shares down 5%…

Are you excited to read that the FTSE-250 company 888 Holdings (888) – which regards itself as “one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming companies” – has pushed its share price up over 25% today after announcing progress with its efforts to buy the international (non-US) business of William Hill? After all we all know that online betting and gaming is seeing more and more demand. But will it be paying too much in an area which is already highly competitive?

I noted back in September last year that “I am still avoiding FeverTree (FEVR)” and since then the stock has fallen from above a 23 quid share price to just under 16 quid. So what should I now be thinking about the company still obsessed by the potential from the “long-mixed drink category from retailers, spirits brands and consumers, especially given the increasing focus on premium segments”?

Regular readers may recall what I said about Phoenix Group Holdings plc (PHNX), “one of the largest providers of insurance services in the United Kingdom” last August, when I observed that it was smarter to watch “a Phoenix Nights DVD rather than (own) Phonenix Group shares”. If you haven’t ever watched the comedy series from about twenty years ago, then my view remains that you really should. But what about shares in the latter which had its full year numbers today?

A busy geopolitical Tuesday on the markets, but a far from impossible day for anybody (being very boring) and holding a massive FTSE 100 position. A busy UK earnings day too and, whilst I was amused listening to the thoughts of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) CEO earlier, its shares are back above the 50 quid level (as seen – but not maintained – in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and now 2022). Still, I am looking forward to staying at a Regent Hotels and Resorts location (if the lottery win ever comes through). Whilst I wait for this, my thoughts turn again to the company which says it aims ‘to give you all the tools, information and support you need to make the most of your money’, Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.).  I am sure many folks stuffed into Woodford funds by Hargreaces as Hargreaves itself sold down its managed fund holdings in the same Woodford funds might not agree with that boast!

Hello Share Placers. I sang the praises of Tesco (TSCO) recently. But I also rate the chances of Sainsbury (SBRY) improving its share price. Like Tesco, it did well before Christmas with trading better than expected by the City. My local store has had a few gaps on the shelves caused by the general transport supply problems, but it’s not too much to worry about as customers will find alternatives.

It is nearly Christmas, thank goodness. But despite it being the day before Christmas Eve there are still a few things going on, even beyond firmer markets thanks to the German health minister this morning observing that a ‘lockdown isn’t ruled out, but it’s not needed right now’. No wonder markets across Europe are up a bit today. One story that surprised me this morning was the news that Flutter Entertainment (FLTR) – the business most of us remember as Paddy Power – ‘is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sisal, Italy’s leading online gaming operator, from CVC Capital Partners Fund VI for a consideration of €1.913bn/£1.62bn’.

Hello, Share Groovers. It’s taken a fair time but Avacta Group (AVCT) has been awarded a coveted CE mark for its Covid antigen lateral flow test. That means that its self-test kits can be sold in the EU and Blighty. The news sent the shares up by 25% at one point. There could be more to come.

It has been a funny last 13 months, but fortunately the financial markets have been the last of my challenges. Obviously I am still not the next Peter Lynch, but I keep on learning (something) even if it was a quarter of a century ago now that I first rocked up in the City. And whilst I could ramble on at length about a few winners this year, one of the more dull stocks has been Carnival (CCL) which I am currently up on 0.25% year-to-date.

I remember – about 25 years ago – that my first boss told me a story concerning a previous contact of his who had bought shares in HSBC (HSBA) many years beforehand and it had provided a fantastic total return profile for the next few decades. Such is the attraction of thinking a bit like Warren Buffett and spotting an idea that is set to continue to perform well for the next thirty or forty years – and holding on. However, hindsight is easy to quote but harder to achieve. And whilst I have my own list of names I anticipate my pension fund is unlikely to sell its holding in during the rest of the 2020s, unsurprisingly this list does not include HSBC which I dumped about 4 years ago (at an akin share price I had purchased the stock at about 4 years earlier). The ‘Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited’ is a flash name, but despite the rise and rise of Asia over recent decades, any HSBC shareholder will be aware that the shares peaked in the year 2000.

I have not written about Moneysupermarket.com (MONY) before but Malcolm has, as you can see here just over a year ago. He was absolutely correct that helping to identify good value car insurance, home insurance, credit card deals, travel insurance, pet insurance and broadband deals, along with the ownership of MoneySavingExpert.com (thanks Martin Lewis), was popular with lots of people. And whilst COVID-19 issues with the travel industry has caused some challenges over the last year, a business with some overall net cash on its balance sheet and free cash flow generation helping to support a 5%+ dividend yield certainly could have been a lot worse. But the shares have had a very poor last few months as, whilst the travel insurance business has been only slow to improve, the energy deals business has been an absolute shocker recently.

Back in early August I observed that there were ‘continuing issues’ at Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) which made me avoid the shares. Obviously I still do not own any today and this morning’s update keeps me of the view that the company’s shares are still stuck in a 1400-1800p range.

Back in May HERE I observed on ‘Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) whose shares have remained stuck in a 1400-1800p share price range over the last year…there is no reason – in my opinion – to own the shares here’. So what do I make of today’s full year to the end of June numbers?

Self-styled “digital womenswear fashion brand with an innovative influencer collaboration model” In The Style (ITS) has announced results for its year ended 31st March 2021 “following the group’s successful Admission to the London Stock Exchange’s AIM on 15 March 2021”. The shares have currently responded slightly up to 226p, comparing to a 200p per share IPO but also approaching 250p in April.

Previously writing on IT services group IDE (IDE), in January I concluded that a contract win did not justify the share price response to 3p. What about full-year results and the shares currently further down at 0.90p?…

Previously writing on cloud communications platform group LoopUp (LOOP), in March with the shares at 86.5p I noted that my doubts remain. Today it has made a half-year trading update including that “in Cloud Telephony, we have seen a material acceleration in new customer wins”…but the shares have currently responded further lower, closer to 50p. So what’s going on?…

Hello, Share Shapers. It’s likely that in times of trouble, insurance companies are as safe a bet as any big company. That’s because when people become nervous of the future, they insure their lives and property more energetically. And you cannot get more uncertain than the on/off menace of Covid-19.

There are two ways of viewing IQE plc (IQE). One, mine, is correct. The other, as pushed by the share promoters, the numerous corporate brokers and financiers who see its constant demands for fresh debt and equity as something of a gravy train, is not. Let’s start with those who are wrong.

Back on the 1st February I observed about the online clothing retailer Asos (ASC) that ‘I am still a seller on this name and take the view that below £40 is a level where you can start looking at this one again’. Guess where the share price is today after a sharp fall following the publication of four months to 30 June numbers? Hello near 40 quid a share. So what is going on?

Hello, Share Tasters. One of the most popular shops on the street is Primark. It’s had a hard time of the pandemic though, as it doesn’t do online trading. Never mind, its stores are opening now. And thanks mainly to that, its parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) has seen a surge in revenue. It’s currently up by nearly a half on last time, reaching £3.6 billion.

Hello Share Tycoons. It’s possible you’re rather wary of construction companies, with the sector having had it tough in the last couple of years. And if Blighty encounters a post-covid recession, it’s likely that heavy building will be one of the first and worst areas to be hit. But if you’re in my camp that guesses there’ll be a coiled spring boom, then UK giants of the construction world could be among the stars.

Shares in technology products principally for the gaming and broadcast industries company Quixant (QXT) are currently higher, above 150p, on the back of an update at its AGM including “order intake remains strong, providing us with further improved order coverage for our internal full year budget”. What does that mean financially though?

Previously writing on online electricals retailer AO World (AO.), in November with the shares around 390p I concluded a lockdown winner, but the valuation much too high on what can be reasonably expected currently from here. Today a trading update… and the shares currently at 323p…

Call me boring but I don’t really like IPOs. Therefore when I was offered the opportunity of participating in the Deliveroo (ROO) IPO a few weeks ago I said something along the lines of ‘thank you but no thank you’, but noted down the thought of having a look when it published some numbers after it had listed. After all, even I have used Deliveroo (admittedly just once) in the last year and have certainly seen its cyclists delivering near me many times.

Hello Share Chompers. One of the more difficult sectors to call on this august website is in the covid-testing game. Of course, there are loads of aspirants to the title of being a good tester, but perhaps Avacta (AVCT) is the most covered. It certainly attracts a disproportionate number of posters on other websites, some of whom are in the hopeless optimist category…

Cloud communications platform group LoopUp (LOOP) has made a trading update it states it “is pleased to provide… in line with the trading statement of 27 November 2020”. The shares have currently responded 4.5% higher to 81.5p but they closed 26th November at 155p, so what’s the story?…

Hello Share Chasers. The share price of Avacta (AVCT) shares is holding up rather well, considering that vaccines will soon render the virus far less common. Perhaps the world expects testing to be needed until the virus disappears altogether. And we all know that’s unlikely. So, if Avacta shares continue to do well, perhaps we could consider another company which also has some news on the testing front…

And so we head for the end of the year – another traditional time to bury bad news by announcing it when nobody is paying any attention, ie on New Year’s Eve. Top of my list for awful results is AIM-listed URU Metals (URU) headed by John Zorbas, which offered up a dreadful half-year report the day before New Year’s Eve last year which demonstrated it was technically insolvent by a big margin. It will surely be no different this year.

Hello Share Shifters. You don’t hear of the fabled Santa Rally these days. After all, we do have more important virus-related issues to consider. However, there will be the usual Christmas boost to most shares and added to the joy of new vaccines that should see a bigger seasonal boost than ever to our shares. Though, as always, the opportunity to make money will be limited as the New Year should bring the usual market hangover.

Previously writing on remote meetings technology group LoopUp (LOOP), in July with the shares at 177.5p I questioned how sustainable the net cash generation? The shares went on towards 250p, but last closed at 155p and are currently well below 100p on the back of a “Trading Update”…

Hello, Share Players. It’s not often I bring you shares that are not homegrown, but this American company looks interesting. Workhorse (NASDAQ – WKHS) makes battery-powered lorries and also drones that deliver stuff. Pretty futuristic eh, but if you’re excited by pioneering companies…

Hello, Share Switchers. You have to be careless with money to shun comparison websites to buy insurance. If you go to a company directly you can end up paying more than the quote it gives you on a comparison site. And anyway it saves all that shopping around. I’ve been choosing GoCompare recently…

Hello, Share Tasters. A company I’ve not covered lately because it fell on covid and has, so far, been slow to recover is ITV (ITV). I can see no obvious reason why this share has not rallied back to more normal levels. And I expect it to do so. Here are my reasons…

LoopUp Group (LOOP) has updated including that it “has continued to trade materially above pre Covid-19 levels… expect to exceed revised market expectations in terms of revenue, EBITDA and cash generation for the current financial year”. Sounds good...

Hello, Share Isolators. The question of what to do with Avacta (AVCT) shares continues to be even thornier. The price exceeded 200p a week or so ago, then began a double-digit daily decline. Towards last week’s end it perked up again and at the time of writing is 157p...

You all know I have been bearish about funeral provider Dignity (DTY) for a long time, from my inaugural January 2018 posting as the shares fell from a teens quid share price here noting that the bottom of the page is not the bottom of the chart, to here back in March where, with the shares having a '3' in front of them, I switched to a 'popcorn' rating. Since then the shares have fallen further and now trade with a '2' in front of them. I should have continued listening to my own advice: the bottom of the page is most certainly not the bottom of the chart. I do have to give Dignity some credit with reference to today's update...

Hello, Share Takers. Uncle Tom has described the valuation of Avacta Group (AVCT) as ‘bonkers’. With his diamond record, few will quarrel with that. Therefore, long-term players should probably avoid this stock. But what about opportunistic momentum investors?...

A “Contract manufacturing agreement for COVID-19 test” announcement from Yourgene Health (YGEN) – and the shares currently more than 30% higher on the back of it, to 15.75p…

Hello, Share Crackers. The budget promised loads of money for Blighty’s infrastructure. That’s good news for companies who do the construction. I’ve commended Balfour Beatty (BBY) to you before –  and I’m even more confident in its prospects now. You may have noticed that the competition isn’t as strong as it was as some of its rivals have been in trouble...

Hello, Share Travellers. It’s hard to see how the virus will affect the number of homes being put up for sale in Blighty. So it might be a good time to look at Rightmove (RMV). It’s a wormhole to connect buyers with sellers. And I suppose most people seeking a home would have a nosey there...

Early last month I noted on Topps Tiles (TPT), the shares have recovered from nearly re-hitting in November the sub 65p of my prior update to a current circa 75p. From here, certainly at least before clear evidence of improvement… I continue to avoid. The shares closed yesterday at 78.6p but are currently heading towards 60p on the back of a “Trading Update”…

So I see that Intu Properties (INTU) fessed up to the need for a massive cash raise as I mused upon yesterday, a disclosure which has pulled down the shares over 5% as I write. However, it is a bigger share price fall that is grabbing my attention this morning…

Hello Share Munchers. One of my biggest disappointments in shareland has been the poor showing of BT (BT.A) shares. At one stage my holding was up by 100%. But that was in the heady days when BT started buying sports concessions and many folks thought viewers would pay through the nose for BT TV. There were a few critics who doubted that and they seem to have been proved right...

Having been visited by the Ghost from Christmas Past I got a bit confused and befuddled over the deadline for this year’s ShareProphets Bury Bad News Christmas Sweepstake. Since then, of course, I’ve seen a few more ghosts, including the one for Christmas Present and the bury bad news sweepstake certainly threw up a good few of those (for non-shareholders). So who won?

Bah! Humbug! I’m back with this year’s annual ShareProphets Bury Bad News Christmas Sweepstake. With Christmas falling on Wednesday this year, any corporate news released next week immediately falls into the no-one-is-watching o’clock category. But this competition is about bad news released on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, which companies clearly don’t want their shareholders to know.

Hello, Share Swallowers. It’s not a very exciting name but WPP (WPP) is one of the biggest advertising and PR outfits in the world. That’s not bad for a company that began life in the 1970’s as Wire and Plastic Products, making shopping baskets...

Hello, Share Checkers. Buying shares in an American company that has Facebook as a rival is a bit daunting, I suppose. But a company called Snap Inc (0RNH), still commonly known as Snapchat, seems to be doing rather well. Revenue rose by a half in the third three months of 2019. At present, it’s not profit-making or dividend-paying, but it expects to attain a profit at the end of the year...

Hello Share Twiddlers. Airlines are a difficult area for me. Not since I ditched my old British Airways shares yonks ago have I dabbled in the sector. As a pilot might say: there seem to be more headwinds than tailwinds. The budget operator easyJet (EZJ) is a company which currently performs above City expectations. But for how long?...

Hello, share trippers. It’s not been long since I discussed BT (BT.) on this upstanding website. However, the shares have been rising lately and, as a lot of us are in this stock for its hefty dividend, it’s perhaps appropriate to review the chances of a still chirpier price...

Looking back a couple of months to my appearance on Tom's radio show many of the views I expressed there have aged pretty well. Long/buy calls such as Barrick Gold (GOLD in the US) and easyJet (EZJ) have performed appropriately whilst dogs such as Metro Bank (MTRO) and Dignity (DTY) keep woofing. I remain amazed that shares in bad boy St James's Place (STJ) have so far shrugged off a bunch of disaster stories about its overcharging culture...you can guess my continued negative thoughts on that one. However, one share which I mentioned and has not behaved as I would have hoped in the last couple of months is Imperial Brands (IMB)...

The company with the exclusive right to develop, operate and sub-franchise Domino's Pizza stores in Poland, DP Poland (DPP) has announced results for the first half of 2019 emphasising “system sales up 10%, like-for-likes returning positive from March and more sub-franchisees in place… Appointment of General Manager in Poland”. The shares have responded towards 5.5p – er, another few percent lower…

Hello, Share Savers. Some of my colleagues use Sage (SGE) for their accounts and to keep their businesses in top shape. But I’ve sometimes had doubts about the share price. Like many British technology giants, it’s faced stiff opposition from competitors.

Hello, Share Minstrels. It’s not often we feature a momentum play on this scintillating website. That’s because my more learned colleagues quite rightly focus on balance sheets and other fundamental data to make their choices. They rarely consider only whether a share is actually going up or down. And maybe they’re right to leave an uptrend out of their considerations. After all, there are a lot of dozy traders in the world who can buy shares when they’re not worth it. However, the trend can be your friend...

Hello Share Thrashers. From being sceptical about retailers being able to grow their share prices, I am beginning to change my mind. Well, for selected chains at least. One company which I think might buck a downward trend is Next (NXT)...

Hello, Share Swipers. On reading my annual report of ITV (ITV) a few months ago, I noted that my former lodger, Sir Peter Bazalgette, the chairman, was puzzled by the low share price. I suppose he would say that, but I think he has a point...

The last time I talked about the shares of Sainsbury (SBRY) I concluded that the results were 'truly all over the place'. After today's update I would say the data has actually got worse…

Hello Shares Slayers. As a pensioner myself, I like to keep abreast of how a company which is known for focusing on the oldies is getting on. But the latest figures from Saga (SAGA) and the shaky outlook for the travel industry make me want to avoid these shares...

Hello Share Munchers. Now here’s a novel idea for the technological age. You’ve heard of Late Rooms which began as a way of filling empty hotels at the last minute. Well, BigDish (DISH) aims to perform similarly for restaurants. The company helps to fill tables at quiet times by offering quickly applied discounts...

Hello, Share Pushers. I suspect not many of us will be over-keen to invest in the bigger power supply companies. The headwinds are worrying. Government caps on prices, big competition from smaller and cheaper companies, fuelled by comparison websites, and the rising oil price. And we could probably think of a few more...

“Accident management and legal services” company Redde (REDD) has made an intra-day (12:18pm) “Contract Update” announcement. I’m guessing this ain’t going to be good news…

Hello Share Treaters. As a customer of Premier Inn hotels and not a coffee drinker in Costas, I was pleased Whitbread (WTB) has just sold its coffee places to Coca-Cola this month. Costa coffee shops always look a bit bland to me with few of the quirky attractions offered by independent purveyors. While Premier Inn hotel rooms are very reasonable and convenient in city centres. Plus, if you are a shareholder, you get two nights for the price of one at weekends.

Hello, Share Jinglers. What shares should we look at now as our break from Europe gets ever nearer? One suggestion of a big enterprise that should not be affected by the big change, whichever way it goes, is the National Grid (NG.)...

Petrofac (PFC) is a British giant I don't think I’ve touched on before. But maybe now is the time to bring this engineer and constructor which serves the oil and gas world, to your notice. For one thing, it has had new orders worth $5 billion this year. The order pipeline is bulging with $10 billion in total...

In April the components of a trading update from Low & Bonar (LWB) saw me note a profit warning then, surely? Instead though the company went for “expects the group's financial results to have a much greater weighting to the second half than in the prior year”. With the shares then heading towards 50p, I concluded a second half reliance amidst clear challenges sees the stock on the bargepole list. Sell. Today another trading update…

We all know UK retail is in a tough spot but problems for Kingfisher (KGF) are ironically not in the UK, where today's half-year numbers were correctly discussed as a 'solid performance' benefiting from continued growth at Screwfix and the self-inflicting wounds at peers that aided B&Q. The trouble is a 15% fall in underlying pre-tax profit mainly due to a 30% fall in profitability in the group's second-largest market France…

It’s looking increasingly like Elon Musk’s go private “funding secured” tweet on the 7^th August has backfired horribly as Tesla (NASDAQ - TSLA) now trades $40 below the prevailing price before he sent it. I was recently accused of confirmation bias on Tesla, i.e. of looking only at the bear case and ignoring the positives but it is difficult post-tweet to find any bullish case that holds water.

A trading update from Fusion Antibodies (FAB) commences that it “announces that the company's results for the year ended 31 March 2018 will be announced on 16 August 2018. The results for FY18 are in line with current market expectations”. Hmmm – but it updated in March including “at least 40% revenue growth expected; adj EBITDA broadly in-line with expectations”, so why is the latest update needed so soon before the results announcement?...

Take a look, if you wish, at the share price graphic of the property company IWG (IWG) - formerly known as Regus - over the last year and which is down 20% odd today. The phrase uninvestable comes to mind. Big ups, big downs and - at the end of the year - what have you got to show for it? A share price back to where it was the last time I wrote about IWG turning down a bid for its business here.

A trading update from ‘escape the room’ experiences company Escape Hunt (ESC) includes “exceptional customer reviews for the three sites opened earlier this year are translating into good financial performance thus far with revenue and EBITDA contribution, relative to the number of games rooms opened, having met our expectations”. A current 114.5p share price though compares to a 135p placing price when joining AIM in May 2017…

“Blue Prism (PRSM), a global leader in Robotic Process Automation, is pleased to announce unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 April 2018”. What sort of numbers is such a self-styled “global leader” delivering then?...

You know the old updating of Shakespeare's seven ages of man speech. Well, the modern version is just four ages - lager, aga, Saga and ga-ga. Saga (SAGA) being a company which provides services for the getting-on-in-years tribe. This tribe is more numerous than it used to be - and becoming even more plentiful.

Hello, Share Magnates. As I become ever more worried about the prospects of High Street chains, I need to express concerns about Dunelm (DNLM), the household goods purveyor. For one thing, it gave a warning on May 25 that trading conditions were worse than it had expected.

Ocado (OCDO) has seen a significant rise in its share price in recent weeks and seems to have gained upwards momentum, but I would question how long that will last and still see it as very expensive at this point in time.

Previously writing on Safestyle UK (SFE), I noted health & safety issues adding to clear challenges the company already faces and dividend worry. There’s now ”Trading Update and Directorate Change”…

Hello, Share Scoopers. An outfit I was once extremely loyal to, perhaps too much so, is Centrica (CNA), better known to most of us as British Gas. No longer. And if I still had the shares, they would be on my likely-to-sell-soon list.

Hello, Share Snackers. Before now, I’ve commended shares in Greene King (GNK). Eating out in pub chains is usually cheap and cheerful and ideal for treating families who don’t particularly relish gourmet food. But after seeing its latest set of figures I’ve rather changed my mind.

Thanks for the few entries to the Woodford Easter Quiz. Although a couple of people got the odd one out and for the right reason, as I expected, only one person got it right and named all sixteen companies correctly so well done KayeSeraSera (again). A chocolate gift will be winging its way to you, probably in time for Christmas! Full results below.

It being a major religious festival, I thought it appropriate to serve up another Woodford-related quiz. Simple on the face of it, just tell me which of the sixteen graphs below is the odd one out and why - a full answer is required other than the obvious. A chocolate gift to anyone who can go one better than that and name all sixteen companies. To assist on one of them, the graph is pre-share consolidation earlier this year.

Thanks for all the entries – I’m pleased to be able to say “entries” this time - to my Woodford Cheltenham Festival (HERE). I’m calling it a day early as the result is clear. Read on for the winner and the choice of Cheltenham runners on which I am placing the winner’s free bet.

Back in August I wondered if advertising behemoth WPP's (WPP) name stood for 'What Profit Progression'. Well I got that bit correct judging by yesterday's results which were truly shabby with like-for-like full year revenue declines, a pulling back of medium-term growth hopes and rather desultory profit progression. No wonder the shares were down 8%, apparently their worst day this century. That hardly reflects the zip of the 'Mad Men' view of the advertising industry, more the drudgery of a new world where the big corporations are probing and prodding more their advertising spend.

I reviewed Footasylum (FOOT) on its November AIM listing being followed with a director buy announcement, concluding cautiously with the shares then at 209.5p. They would go on to commence 2018 at more than 250p, but are currently back to just over 200p…

Carpet and floor coverings retailer, Carpetright (CPR) has updated on trading for the 11 weeks ended 13th January – commencing that “trading in the important post-Christmas period has been significantly behind expectations” and also including “the severity of the decline in footfall over this key trading period and our more cautious view of the outlook for the balance of the year leads to a significant reduction in our full year expectations”. What does this mean in terms of financials?...

A “Christmas Trading Update” from Quiz plc (QUIZ) is headlined “Strong trading across the Group's omni-channel business model”, yet from a 161p per share July AIM listing and almost 190p re-reached in October, the shares are currently little changed at around 150p. Hmmm…

Hello, Share Stackers. Of the four big British supermarkets, I have the most hope for my holding in Morrison (MRW). This is not saying much, as I think they all suffer in comparison to the cheaper prices offered by the Germans. Aldi and Lidl still attract my custom more than Tesco (TSCO) and Sainsbury (SBRY). And I know I’m not the only one. But Morrison reports a bouncy Christmas.

Writing last month on July AIM-listed Quiz plc (QUIZ), I noted “trading update”… but what about profit & cash? The fast-fashion womenswear company has now announced results for its half-year ended 30th September 2017…

Having IPO’d on AIM at 161p per share in July, shares in fast fashion womenswear retailer Quiz (QUIZ) initially rose towards 200p before recently sliding back towards 170p. However, having announced that it would release a trading update for the six months ended 30th September on 11th October, the stock rebounded to a 187p close prior to the announcement. The following updates with it currently retreating to 180p…

With all the “quality” companies waiting until the last possible moment at the end of next week to release their results, I thought I’d do a series of previews this week on some of my favourites starting with the “warrant exercise machine”, EVR Holdings (EVRH) where the only real unknown is what the latest excuse will be for the delayed launch of the app.

Hello, Share Cavaliers. It’s rare that I keep returning to shares I’ve commended to you. But the case of IQE (IQE) is so intriguing and knife-edge that I think it might be worth keeping under review. As I write the share is up another 6%. It has been seesawing up and down, rather alarmingly, for a few weeks now. Uncle Tom had a go at my support for this stock in a recent bearcast. He argued that the shares are hopelessly over-valued and to take profits might be the more prudent course.

Hello, Share Twiddlers. The older ones among us may remember a great TV comedy sketch in which an AA man clashed with an RAC man. They were trying to sort things out after their respective members came head to head in a narrow lane, where only one could pass. That was in the fifties when they still made good telly. And though we no longer have quaint AA or RAC boxes by the roadside, the AA (AA.) has a powerful history, supporting a brand which is never forgotten.

Having last year commented on slowing growth, I note results for its year ended 31st March 2017 from panel and timber distribution company James Latham (LTHM)…

RhythmOne (RTHM) has announced results for its year ended 31st March 2017, emphasising “Returns to Full-Year Underlying Profitability led by 28% Growth of ‘Core’ Revenues”. The Income Statement though shows a significant loss and the shares have responded more than 6% lower to 45.5p. Hmmm…

Hello Share Squishers. It seems fairly obvious that gas and electricity supply companies may well see slimmer share prices after all this general election talk about capping energy bills. But so far, the market has not cropped shares by very much.

It’s been an absolute roller-coaster of a week for Sepura (SEPU) which is embroiled in a drawn-out takeover saga with Hytera Communications subject to competition delays. There were a number of interesting RNS’s worth commenting on this week but one in particular has my spoof antennae whirring. Were shareholders being told the whole story?

Previously writing on engineering company Goodwin (GDWN) in September with the shares at 1980p, I concluded that the energy industry environment saw me cautious and avoiding the shares. They were little changed on the prior 1895p close before an “Interim Management Statement” announcement at 2:15pm. A cause for alarm?...

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…

For a company with revenues of exactly nil despite all the lies about guaranteed sales of $5.2 million etc, the fraud Cloudtag (CTAG) takes an awfully long time in publishing its (bound to be dire) results for the year to 30 September. If you want to win a bottle of Distil's finest Red Leg Rum then it is time to enter our Cloudtag results competition. Here is how.

Hello Share Grinders. As I write this, I’m aware that wise Shareprophets commentator Wildrides will be sharpening his pencil to disagree. And I am not at all sure about supermarkets myself - though I still have shares in the big three home-grown ones. Looking at Morrison (MRW), Sainsbury (SBRY) and Tesco (TSCO), I think the last named is the most likely to bring us the most money from our owning the shares.

Flowgroup (FLOW) “is pleased to announce that it expects to announce its results for the year ending 31 December 2016 during May 2017. The company expects its trading results to be in line with analysts' forecasts”. Hmmm, so why are the shares currently down a further more than 8%, below 6p, having been 25p+ less than a year ago?...

Hello Share Spaders. Recently, I opined on this superlative website that BT had been over-sold in the last 12 months and was possibly cruising for a new target of 500p a throw, rather than the present sad sub-400p share price. But I’m not so confident over its rival Vodafone (VOD).

Call me reckless but with still four weeks to go I’m calling the result of the CloudTag sweepstake, although not before having to deal with another steward’s enquiry on Race 2! Read on to find out who is going to be the proud and lucky owner of a “money-can’t-buy” present.

On the back of “Trading Update” and “Directorate Change” announcements, shares in building products distributor, SIG plc (SHI) are currently more than 20% lower, heading towards 90p. Uh-oh…

Having last month concluded on Grafenia (GRA) that I wouldn’t want to bet on expectations being achieved and currently continue to avoid, I note the half-year results announcement sees the shares currently more than 14% lower at 7.5p…

With limited recent news to ponder on CloudTag (CTAG), ignoring the constant stream of unregulated interviews for one moment, I thought I’d offer a chance to readers (and CloudTag shareholders) to have a punt and give themselves a chance to win an incredible Christmas present.

“We are Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc (MBH): we are ‘Britain's Brick Specialist’”. You are Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc, you’ve just issued a profit warning…

Having previously reviewed Grafenia (GRA) with the shares at 9.5p in August, I note they currently 13.5% lower today, at sub 9p, on the back of a “Period End Trading Update and Notice of Results” announcement…

Shares in Richoux, Dean's Diner and Villagio restaurant group, Richoux (RIC) are currently soaring more than 40%, to above 30p (capitalising the company at approaching £28 million), on the back of a “Board Change” announcement…

Despite the company arguing that “results for the first half of 2016 are a strong improvement on 2015”, shares in video security systems group IndigoVision (IND) are currently more than 5% lower, at 150p, on the results announcement. Let’s take a look...

A “Trading update” announcement from fresh meat and food-to-go retailer Crawshaw (CRAW) includes in the first paragraph “suppressed footfall patterns caused by a combination of the international football, adverse weather and Brexit… persisted”. Uh-oh…

Previously, with shares in James Latham (LTHM) at just above 700p, I was deterred by a results statement noting “like for like revenues are 4% higher for April and May than the corresponding period last year… there are some signs that this growth is slowing”. With the shares currently at 670p, I now review following an AGM trading update…

I previously wrote on Grafenia plc (GRA) on the back of a February profit warning – noting that I hope readers heeded my previous calls to sell or avoid at much higher prices than the then 8.5p and, whilst wishing new CEO Peter Gunning the best of luck, I retained that stance on the shares - see HERE. They subsequently recovered to more than 16p, but are now back at 9.5p following a recent AGM Statement...

Hello Share Trundlers. There are folk who think investing in Royal Mail (RMG) is doomed to failure. They point to falling numbers of letters coming through our doors and the possibility of big companies like Amazon to arrange their own deliveries.

Hello Share Swiggers. It's not that long ago that I suggested you might take a look at FairFX (FFX). This is a firm which makes spending abroad a bit cheaper by allowing you to top up on card which you can use to collect spending money on foreign holidays and business trips. Companies also use its services - and they are growing impressively in number. The prepaid cash card I use is the Caxton card and I find it very useful. But FairFX has just put out a trading statement which should also make investors sit up.

A “Trading & Corporate Update” announcement from cross-border financial services group STM (STM) notes that “in April 2016, management took the decision to waiving the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme establishment fee for an initial trial period of six months, with the aim of driving new client business” and that “good progress has been made in generating these new relationships”. Good, good. You what though?, “the revenues generated within the first half of the year have not matched management's expectations with regards to the level of new business anticipated from our QROPS product”…

Hello Share Scrummers. In my humble opinion, British banks are among the biggest bargains in Shareland at the mo. Though I was in two minds about foisting this opinion on you, as banks have a marvellous talent for letting us down. They’ve been doing that steadily since the big crashes of 2007 and 8. But I really do think the shares have been oversold since the result of the Brexit vote. They fell a heck of a lot. Without their failure, the Footsie which eventually rocketed on the decision to leave the EU, would have been near the elusive 7000 level by now.

Hello Share Smashers. I sold my long-held shares in IndigoVision (IND) a couple of years ago. They’d made a big profit for me. So why did I sell?

Purplebricks (PURP), the hybrid online and 'local property expert'-based estate agent, has announced results for its year ended 30th April 2016, noting that “we continue to scale and anticipate that the UK business will move into profit in the current financial year” and that it is to launch in Australia. With the shares currently slightly lower, at 130p, in response, the following reviews…

Hello Share Peddlars. I am a big fan of Poundland (PLND) stores, but not of its shares. When the company went public, I did not participate. This was for the 11-plus level of reasoning that at only a pound a purchase, it was going to have to sell a load of stuff to bring in decent profits.

Having recently noted boardroom change aplenty but questioned trading change at Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL), the company has now announced completion of a strategic review, resulting in that “four strategic priorities have now been set”, and a 100p per share, £16.75 million (gross) placing. These are targeted to “help strengthen the group's market leading position, improve ROCE and increase value for shareholders over the longer term”. Hmmm...

Fascinated as I am as to where Quenron (QPP) got its logo, I am indebted to an American reader who has come up with another suggestion as to where Mr 2+2 can = 5 got his inspiration from. In our latest spot the difference competition, please simply post your entries in the comments section below. Deadline midnight tonight (Friday)

Hello Share Swingers: Generally speaking, I hold no truck with silly supermarket shares. Firstly, they are boring. They go up a bit, the come down and then regain their old value. But they never seem to get anywhere.