Previously writing on software for customer marketing company Pelatro (PTRO), last month with the shares falling from close to 20p I noted ‘warns on trading, and what about the balance sheet?’, concluding that I certainly continued to avoid. The shares are currently further down below 10p today following yesterday an intra-day (uh oh!) “trading update”.

Previously writing on digital technology platform for retailers group Itim (ITIM), in April with the shares up to 114p I concluded that the valuation saw me avoid and I’d monitor to see if this just June last year-listed group could deliver progress at least as expected. The shares last closed at 83.5p... and now results for the first half of 2022.

A trading update from marine service provider James Fisher & Sons (FSJ) includes that “revenue in the quarter ended 30 September 2021 was 7.6% higher than Q3 2020 and 8.7% higher than Q2 of 2021… The board now anticipates Underlying Operating Profit for the full year, before separately disclosed items, to be in the range of £27m – £32m”. So why are the shares currently, at around 530p, more than 30% lower?…

Previously writing on provider of technology-based training and support to the defence and regulated civilian sectors Pennant International (PEN), in April I reviewed why “pleased to report” full-year results saw the shares approaching 14% lower at 38p and concluded continue to avoid. Today a stated “satisfactory” half-year and “anticipates that its financial performance will improve significantly in the second half… trading remains in line with market expectations for the year as a whole”, so why are the shares currently a further more than 12% lower on the day to below 30p?…

Hello Share Shapers. Normally, this old punter avoids firms in the ‘defence’ sector. I find that defence can mean offence and the thought of my money killing and maiming people is something I want now’t to do with. But Avon Protection (AVON) keeps safe soldiers and police men and women, which is a different kettle of fish.

Self-styled “a leading provider of technology and services for the global offshore energy markets”, Tekmar Group (TGP) has updated including October-appointed CEO Alasdair MacDonald emphasising “the fundamentals of this business are strong and I have no doubt that we can capitalise on the structural growth forecast in our core market and deliver sustainable returns for our shareholders” – and the shares have currently responded towards 80p, more than 15% higher…

Self-styled “leading B2B media business” Bonhill (BONH) has updated including that it “now expects EBITDA for the year to be £2.3 million, being lower than market expectations as approximately £0.25m of custom marketing contracts which had been expected to be delivered in December 2020 will now be delivered in Q1 2020” but that “the outlook in both the UK and US is greatly improved, reflected in the current level of bookings being received” – so a current more than 5% share price fall, to a £17 million market cap fair?...

Previously writing on self-styled “provider of software and services for Enterprise Innovation Management and Strategy Execution Management”, Sopheon (SPE), I questioned in July no change in “expected commercial momentum”, concluding, with the shares at 800p, with what is currently being delivered and clear commercial momentum risk, avoid / sell. Now “Trading Update”…

Previously writing on CyanConnode (CYAN), in July I questioned its “confidence that we will meet full year market expectations”. Now a “Trading and Business Update”…

A “Trading update” from bricks and other masonry products manufacturer Forterra (FORT). This was a recent years Neil Woodford pick – and so take a guess of how trading’s going…

In June, with the shares at 220p, I stated on business software, cloud and managed services group K3 Business Technology (KBT) “Trading Update” = Profit Warning Deferral?, questioning the ‘prolonged customer decision-making processes’ really all due to Brexit-related disruption?, “the benefits of transformation initiatives” really coming through across all key areas of activity? Now another “Trading update”…

Developer and manufacturer of carbon ceramic brakes products Surface Transforms (SCE) has announced results for its year ended 31st May 2019, emphasising “the past 15 months, and more particularly the three-month period of contract awards since 31 May 2019, have been transformational in the development of Surface Transforms. The company now has multi-year, multi million revenue contracts”. Sounds good – but the shares are currently little changed at still sub 20p…

Previously writing on Pennant International (PEN), in May, with the shares falling below 100p, I noted “potential delay” of a major contract & director spoofing concluding that the director share developments and clear order challenges saw my stance to sell / bargepole. Now a “Pre-Close Trading Update”…

Telematics and data insight provider, Trakm8 (TRAK) has announced results for its year ended 31st March 2019, including “sales related challenges and contract delays significantly impacted” but that “the new financial year has begun with new contract awards from two further insurance companies, with revenues already commenced” and “Fleet sales team's performance is continuing to improve, securing a higher value of contracts than the corresponding period last year with this momentum expected to continue”. The current year to be much improved then?...

Geotechnical engineering company Van Elle (VANL) has updated commencing, “The business continues to make good progress on its transition plan, announced in January”. The shares have responded higher – but a still sub 50p share price compares to 80p at the start of 2019…

In June 2017, at 150p per share, “FFI Holdings (FFI), the world leader in the provision of completion contracts to the entertainment industry for films, television, mini-series and streaming products, is pleased to announce… admission of its ordinary shares to trading on AIM” and in September of that year CEO Steven Ransohoff was emphasising “following our successful IPO, FFI has been working diligently on improving costs associated with our Completion Contract business. To that end, I am excited to announce the formation of our captive insurer, FFI Insurance, together with our long-time partner, MS Amlin”. But since…

Previously writing on project management and technical consultancy WYG, I concluded with the shares at circa 35p in March; Singer now expects cash outflows in that year, including further ‘separately disclosed costs’, to see net debt to… £9.8 million! With it thus set to remain cash burn ahoy, for me this currently remains bargepole ahoy!. Now an intra-day (2:30pm) “Trading Update” – and the shares slumping towards 20p…

Previously writing on Carclo (CAR), I noted last summer as the shares headed down towards 90p that I’d want to see at least some consistent financial delivery before having confidence here. Today a “Trading Statement” – and shares in this fine-tolerance, injection-moulded plastic parts manufacturer currently down more than 30% on the back of it, at 55p!...

“Gulf Marine Services (LSE: GMS), the leading provider of advanced self-propelled self-elevating support vessels serving the offshore oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, provides the following trading update”. Not ‘is pleased to provide’ then. Let’s see why…

Support services provider to remote locations in Africa and the Middle East, RA International (RAI) has updated including CEO Soraya Narfeldt “pleased with the progress made by RA International since Admission to AIM… we have a strong pipeline of projects across a range of sectors and a project management team capable of executing and delivering larger projects”. So why are the shares currently approaching 20% lower on the day, at around 50p?...

Gas heating, electrical and building services provider Bilby (BILB) reckons it “is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2018”. So why then are the shares currently circa 20% lower on the back of them, to below 75p?...

On 20th June James Ritchie, CEO of Tekmar Group (TGP) - “a market-leading technology provider of protection systems for subsea cable, umbilical and flexible pipes and offshore engineering services” - hailed the company listing on AIM, with a 130p per share fundraise “well supported by blue chip institutional investors… we firmly believe it will enable us to accelerate our growth and maximise our potential”. The shares closed yesterday at 127.5p – and now a half-year results announcement. Given the recent listing should be fine, surely?...

Previously writing on provider of concierge services via a digital platform and ‘Lifestyle Managers’, Ten Lifestyle Group (TENG) I noted; So it’s revenue in line with reduced expectations, contract roll-out then requires positive volumes of activity and the profit warning also noted “some of the investment into new verticals that was not deployed in FY2018 will now be made in FY2019”. These are significant factors to look for in the 28th November-expected results announcement…

Photonstar LED (PSL) has announced a partnership with a housing association in the south of England which “manages over 80,000 homes”, emphasising “the opportunity to work with the Association as part of their Smart Estates vision is one we are very pleased to be part of”. Hmmm, what’s the detail?...

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?...

A trading update for its year ended 30th June 2018 from Eagle Eye Solutions (EYE) is headlined “Breakout year sees delivery of world leading digital loyalty programme for Loblaw”. The shares have responded… er, currently circa 12% lower to around 150p…

On 5th July 2017 it was “GYG, a market leading superyacht painting, supply and maintenance company, is pleased to announce the commencement… of dealings of its ordinary shares on AIM… Placing price 100p, gross proceeds of the placing £6.9 million… Zeus Capital is acting as the company's nominated adviser and broker”. Now a trading update commencing “trading has been significantly weaker than expected”. Uh oh…

Plastic components and LED-based lighting systems manufacturing company Carclo (CAR) has hit back following a “Non-Binding Proposal for Carclo plc” announcement from Consort Medical (CSRT)…

A trading update from Pressure Technologies (PRES) commences “the Alternative Energy Division has scored several notable successes since the start of the current financial year, which demonstrates our continued leadership in the biogas upgrading market” and includes “the biogas market offers substantial potential” and “our Manufacturing Divisions continue to have a strong position in the global, safety critical markets they serve… an upturn in the oil and gas market and a well developed position in the defence market”. The shares have responded to the update, er, more than 22% lower, to 144p…

In January, as the shares slid below 90p, I was cautious on geotechnical contractor Van Elle (VANL). There’s now a “Trading update and CEO succession process” announcement…

A Trading Update from self-styled “world leader in narrowband radio mesh networks” CyanConnode (CYAN) commences “since the start of the year, the company has seen increasing momentum and demand for its products across multiple jurisdictions, which will result in the company generating more revenues in the first half of 2018 than in the full year for 2017”. Sounds promising…

Payment network company Earthport (EPO) is “pleased” to provide a trading update for its half year ended 31st December 2017, including “we are confident that our core services remain strong and are of increasing importance in the changing payments landscape”. Sounds encouraging…

Microwave electronics products for communications markets-focused Filtronic (FTC) has updated on trading including performance “broadly in line with our expectations” and “we are pleased with order intake and new contract wins in both businesses during the period, which support our strategic development goals”. So why are the shares currently circa 8% lower towards 10p?...

On an early October £25 million placing at 20p per share, Earthport (EPO) CEO Hank Uberoi was “very pleased to announce this placing… we truly appreciate the support of our existing shareholders and a number of new institutional investors” and in end of that month results “look forward to FY2018 with confidence in both our operational and financial performance”. We now have a Trading Update and Directorate Changes announcement...

Point of sale, payment and on-line loyalty systems developer and supplier Universe Group (UNG) was until recently a constituent of the Nifty Fifty portfolio. However, we concluded a couple of months ago to sell now and bank a small gain at 8p due to fears of a profit warning. Today a “Trading Update”…

A 5th October trading statement saw Intercede Group (IGP) Chairman & CEO Richard Parris conclude with “confidence that we will experience a strong second half to the financial year, notwithstanding likely budget difficulties in our traditionally large US government customer base”. Now another “Trading Update”?...

A 3:21pm (and thus clearly unscheduled) “Trading Update” announcement from Gulf Marine Services (GMS). However, it starts “overall the group is continuing to see good levels of tender activity and is progressing a number of opportunities”. Not as bad as feared then? Er…

A “Trading Update” announcement from Plexus Holdings (POS) includes early that “although Plexus continues to pursue a number of specific opportunities in the North Sea and overseas, where discussions are progressing well, some of these are taking longer than anticipated to conclude” and that “a number of encouraging new contracts are currently being negotiated and are now likely to be concluded early in the next financial year, to June 2018”. Uh oh…

An announcement from Blancco Technology Group (BLTG) entitled “Q3 Trading Update, Cash Flow Review and Funding”. Hmmm, I’d guess it ain’t gonna be positive…

Shares in surveillance technology company Digital Barriers (DGB) are currently more than 17.5% lower, at 25.5p, on the back of a “Trading Update” announcement. Trading warning ahoy! You were warned…

Earlier this week, BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) announced “an update on trading for the year ended 31 December 2016”. This includes notice of “certain expected revenue streams falling outside of the period”. And this hasn’t been announced until March 2017?!?...

An update from engineering group Hayward Tyler (HAYT) commences that, “as expected”, there is proving to be a second half weighting “with aggregate order intake of £24.3 million secured in the four months to 31 January 2017… and a significant increase in the order book to £52.2 million”. Sounds promising… but what? “The board now anticipates reporting lower revenue for the financial year ending 31 March 2017”?!?...

Shares in provider of bullshit earnings (Oops sorry, “provider of strategy and technology services to the global fuel and convenience retail industry”), Kalibrate Technologies (KLBT) are currently more than 18% lower, at 57.5p, on the back of a “Trading Update” announcement. Profit warning AHOY!...

“Winning its first hosted customer in the UK was a pivotal event for OneView (ONEV) in the first half of the year, creating an important new recurring revenue stream… The company continues to see strong interest in its software and is confident that the current pipeline will deliver growth in the future”. Sounds encouraging, but what? The shares currently down circa 30% to sub 4p? …

After 4th April 2016, “adjusted EBITDA lower than expectations… possibility of covenant breaches”, 27th April; “short term cash constraints… ongoing discussions with stakeholders regarding liquidity and capital structure” and 27th June “management actions taken to revise business model - impacting FY17 financial performance”, a now 12pm “Trading update” announcement from Sepura (SEPU). Uh-oh…

Monitise (MONI) has announced results for its year ended 30th June 2016 emphasising “substantial improvement” in second half operating figures and “FINKit®, our new business unit which enables banks and financial services organisations to transform their digital services, launched during the year generating initial revenues in the second half of FY 2016, and received a positive response from current and potential clients and partners”. Sounds good…

Marketing analytics company Ebiquity (EBQ) has released a half year trading statement including that its “Marketing Performance Optimization practice has generated significant growth across all markets”, though that overall company performance is only “broadly in line with” (i.e. slightly behind) market expectations. The following reviews, with the shares currently 3% lower at 115p…

Long-time specialist in draining shareholder money (sorry, “specialist in financial services technology focused on accelerating the digital transformation of banks and financial institutions”), Monitise (MONI) commences the first two bullet points of a trading update with “in line with previous guidance”, though the last includes that it “expects FY 2017 revenue to be lower than FY 2016 as a result of the continuing transition for the business”. Uh oh…