Previously writing on windows and doors retailer and manufacturer Safestyle UK (SFE), last month with the shares at 23.5p I questioned how confident on the “return to profitability”? and concluded to avoid. The shares last closed at 29p but are currently heading back towards my previously noted price following full-year results.

Previously writing on Brighton Palace pier, Lightwater Valley adventure park, mini-golf and bars business Brighton Pier Group (PIER) in September I noted strong full-year results, but economic pressures now to bite?. So what of a latest trading statement?

Previously writing on Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurants company Fulham Shore (FUL), at the start of last month with the shares at 9.9p I concluded it will be interesting to see the next balance sheet… and the company noting “a lack of transparency for short term trading… Macroeconomic challenges… combined with input cost inflation, are presenting trading conditions that are more unstable and unpredictable than at any time in recent memory”, at this juncture I certainly continue to avoid. The shares last closed at 11.25p, but today those results and the shares are currently down to 9.5p.

‘Eyewear and lens’ design and manufacturing group Inspecs (SPEC) commences a trading update with that “On a constant currency basis, the group has seen sales growth across Europe, UK and the US… as well as in the group's manufacturing businesses in Vietnam and China” and also argues that it “continues to increase its market share”. So why are the shares currently down to 52.5p on the announcement?, a more than 50% fall!

Writing on windows and doors retailer and manufacturer Safestyle UK (SFE) last month with the shares lower towards 36p I concluded suggesting the half year results statement this month wasn’t going to be good and still avoid / sell. Now the half-year results...and the shares currently lower to 21.5p.

Trade distributor of timber, panels and decorative surfaces, James Latham plc (LTHM) has issued an AGM statement including “revenue for the first four months of the current financial year, namely 1 April to 31 July 2022 is £142m. This represents an increase in sales per working day of 15% compared with the same period last year… cash balances remain strong and with our robust supply chains, this puts us in a good position to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in our market”. So why have the shares currently responded to 1130p, more than 7.5% lower?

Previously writing on arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery retailer TheWorks (WRKS), in May with the shares up to 57p I noted reckons can deliver further sales growth… but consumer pressures starting to bite?. The shares last closed at 46.5p and today a further “trading update”.

Previously writing on homewares group Portmeirion (PMP), in May with the shares down to 435p I was cautious – noting ‘“encouraged that the group continues to grow”, but will that continue?’. The shares last closed at 410p but are currently 365p on the back of a trading update.

Eve Sleep (EVE), under a “Strategic and financing options review” heading, states this is with it “having delivered a third consecutive year of growth in revenues and marketing contribution in our core UK & Ireland business in 2021, and cognisant of current trading conditions, the board now wishes to accelerate eve’s push into the wider sleep wellness space” and following “recent inbound investor interest”. So what of a current approaching 25% lower share price response to 1.25p?...

An AGM statement from plastic and paperboard packaging manufacturer Robinson (RBN) commences, “Group sales in the first four months of the year are 22% ahead” and includes “profits are ahead of the first four months in 2021… profits in the 2022 financial year (excluding the uplift from the profits on disposal of properties) are expected to be inline with expectations, being comfortably ahead of 2021”. So what of a currently unchanged 80p share price?...

In mid-March Hostmore (MORE) emphasised “strong financial performance, in our maiden results as a publicly listed company… the growth of the group… delivering on our goals to the benefit of all stakeholders, including our loyal shareholders”. Today a trading update and the shares currently more than 15% lower in response towards 42p...

Previously writing on maternity and nursing wear group Seraphine (BUMP), in February with the shares down towards 70p I noted having listed little more than 7 months ago… a lack-of-profits warning AGAIN! concluding that the deteriorating balance sheet and track record since listing meant it remains Bargepole. Now a “Year End Trading Update”...

Products for parents and young children franchising company Mothercare (MTC) has announced an update for its year ended 26th March 2022 including “adjusted EBITDA of £11.5 to £12 million for FY22, ahead of analysts’ expectations” and “encouraging initial feedback from recent focus on product quality and design”. So why have the shares currently responded approaching 8% lower to 10p?...

I am sure many of you have shopped at a Next (NXT) store, from one of its catalogues or online over the years. Next may not be super-fashionable or super-cheap but it is super solid, hence why over the last five years the shares have not embarrassed themselves like M&S (MKS), boohoo (BOO) or Debenhams have. But I need to have a think about Next shares because since I last wrote about the company in early January the stock is down over 20%. So whilst I did title my article ten weeks ago “Good job Next, but your positive Christmas trading is factored in”, is the share price now cheap?

Previously writing on UK operator of 67 bars, Revolution Bars Group (RBG), in November with the shares around 25p I reiterated caution with staffing and input cost pressures, a return to refurbishments and “Christmas bookings have been building more slowly than we would normally expect”. So what now from a trading update for the group’s half-year ended 1st January 2022?…

Gold closed the week at $1757, down a tad from last week’s $1761 but pretty much unchanged. Nothing to write home about, perhaps, but very quietly Gold stocks seem to be showing a little more poise than of late. My chart of Gold against GDX (Gold majors’ETF), GDXJ (Gold not-so-juniors ETF) and GOEX (Gold explorers) shows what I am talking about.

The Gold price rose a little this week to $1761 from $1751 a week ago despite at least short term fundamentals being against it. Interest rate expectations are for rising rates, bond yields have been rising and equity markets haven’t cracked: the immediate outlook isn’t all that great for Gold, but it’s hanging in there.

This is getting boring! Gold fails at $1800 and slips, recovers, shows signs of another attack at $1830 resistance and then fails again. Repeat ad nauseam. As can be seen from the chart below, it has been going on for some time now – indeed, since mid-June.

What a week: last weekend Gold had dropped sharply to $1763 and dropped further overnight Sunday/Monday, posting a flash-crash low of $1680 before recovering to around $1730. It all looked so gloomy: gold stocks were struggling, Gold had broken support at around $1775 and the only way appeared to be down. But we finished the week at $1780. Should I be getting out my party hat?

Previously writing on self-styled “the UK’s leading online retailer of beach holidays” On the Beach Group (OTB), in April I noted a laudable update but questioned whether the share price response was merited. Today a further trading update – and the shares currently again higher on its back…

Previously writing on self-styled “leading retailer and manufacturer of PVCu replacement windows and doors to the UK homeowner market” Safestyle UK (SFE), in May I concluded including that an already challenging outlook looks to have become significantly more so, both in terms of demand and efficiency of supply. Now a “Half Year Trading Update”...

An “operational and financial update” from Marshall Motor Holdings (MMH), the UK automotive retailer, as “all 117 car showrooms re-opened from today as well as all of the group's other operating units, under revised, COVID-19 secure, operating procedures”...

“The boards of Brigadier Acquisition Company Limited and Moss Bros (MOSB) are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer” – and shares in Moss Bros are currently circa 50% higher at 20.5p…

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…

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…

A trading statement from Topps Tiles (TPT) includes “our strategy of ‘out specialising the specialists’ continues to serve us well” and “we continue to make good progress with our plans for commercial and our strategy of ‘disrupt and construct’ is proving successful”. However, a sub 65p share price compares to more than 90p in early 2018…

Its shares having fallen from more than 300p less than 9 months ago to 90p, Safestyle UK (SFE), “the leading UK-focused retailer and manufacturer of PVCu replacement windows and doors for the homeowner market”, has announced 2017 calendar year results…

Investors are riding a wave of “irrational exuberance” as they extend bullish positions even as they fret over valuations, according to the latest fund-manager survey by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. While a record net 48 percent of investors say stocks are overvalued, a net 16 percent say they are taking on above-normal levels of risk, another all-time high. Investors are also taking out less downside protection and holding less cash, the survey shows. “Icarus is flying ever closer to the sun,” said Michael Hartnett, the bank’s chief investment strategist.

Hello, Share Trundlers. Once again, I take the liberty of bringing before you a share you may not have come across before. Though Marshalls (MSLH) is a Footsie 250 stock, so it does have its fans. And those fans have been making good money recently.

A “Trading Update” announcement from DFS Furniture (DFS) includes that “we believe our expectations for the next financial year are realistic”. The shares are though currently more than 20% lower at around 200p, with the announcement also updating that “the trading environment has however recently weakened beyond our expectation, with significant declines in store footfall leading to a material reduction in customer orders”. Uh oh…

Results for its year ended 31st March 2017 from UK and Europe online electrical retailer AO World (AO.) see its CEO Steve Caunce emphasising “it's been another year of great progress for AO”. Hmmm, why a significant share price decline then, Steve?...

Having previously noted on Card Factory (CARD) slowed sales growth & where are like-for-likes?, I now note “Trading Statement” and “Directorate Change” announcements from the cards and gifts retailer...

First trading update of my (long) tip of the year for 2017 and the shares are down 4%. Worried? Of course not…the Whitbread (WTB) share price is still nicely above where I recommended it…and frankly we are not even a month into the year. The magnitude of the move today reflects the (to use a wonderful phrase poached from a fellow market observer) wildebeest financial market backdrop we have at the moment…

I wrote on Card Factory (CARD) in August with the shares then at around 300p – concluding I could understand the share price decline and to avoid. The following updates with the shares currently at 260p on the back of a third quarter trading update…

A “Trading Update” announcement from residential property services company, incorporating both estate agency and surveying businesses, LSL Property Services (LSL) commences that the company “expects to report strong interim results on 2nd August… delivering growth across all major revenue lines” and that “the group performed strongly in quarter one”. Good, goo… what’s that? “full year group operating profit will be significantly lower than previously anticipated”…

Online electrical retailer AO World (AO.) has announced results including that “the consistent focus we place on delivering amazing customer service along with the investment we have been making in our brand continues to deliver huge benefits to the business” and that “trading in the current financial year has started well”. The shares though are now down 6%, to 157p, on the back of the announcement. Hmmm, let’s take a look...

This week’s issue of Financial Orbit by Chris Bailey looks at equity valuations across the globe and compares them with consumer confidence levels. Chuck in a few issues such as structural debt and the results are scary.

This has important implications of for equity markets. Whatever the headlines tell you in the papers consumer confidence across the world seems to be waning rather.