Surface coating technology company Hardide plc (HDD) states that it “is pleased to announce” that it has successfully completed a fundraising. Should it be?

Hello Share collectors. Lloyds Bank (LLOY) took a hit yesterday even by the standards of a sad day when war broke out in Europe. The shares had been moving up, albeit very slowly, for some time before full year results came out yesterday. They weren’t so bad, it’s just that the City seemed to have expected something rather better.

Previously writing on manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging Robinson (RBN), in June I reviewed sales growth… so why significant share price decline? with the shares down at 112.5p. They last closed at 122.5p, but what now of half-year results which currently see the shares at…112.5p?

Previously writing on hydraulic and pneumatic consumables and components and systems business Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO), I concluded in an update on my share tips of the year 2021 last month that the shares are now 123.5p and for those still in, ahead of an update on half-year trading, I currently say hold. Today it has announced that trading update…

Hello, Share Mashers. António Horta-Osório, Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY), is standing down, saying he views the bank with pride. Though he’s presided over a big fall in share price during his reign. Never mind, he’s been a good head honcho and nobody saw the pandemic coming. And the latest trading statement is encouraging, with the share price rising 5% on it, a rare jump for a Footsie giant.

Last week I noted that Gold was going nowhere fast. This week it moved fast, and quite a bit, but ended up more-or-less back where it started. This week’s action might offer some hope to gold-bulls like me, but I fancy there remains a way to go before one can be certain the selling of the past 8 months is finally over.

Hello, Share Twiddlers. Yes, I know, you can’t get a more boring company than one that supplies stuff to cover floors. But to misquote the Yorkshire proverb, ‘Where there’s boredom, there can be brass.’

Shares in Flowtech Fluidpower (FLO) have been somewhat left behind in the recent markets rise but the company looks set to strongly benefit with the anticipated economic recovery the recent markets rise is based on, already having been expecting an improvement in performance in the second half of this year and into 2021…

Hello, Share Clampers. A company which has always commanded my unswerving loyalty, ever since it owned Yorkshire Television in the last century, is the big caterer Compass (CPG). But, of course, mass catering, especially in works canteens, has taken a massive hit with Covid. Nevertheless, I think this respected giant should soon recover. It has money reserves available to cope with most viral disasters…

Hello, Share Screamers. I just want to strike one more encouraging note for armchair tycoons like ourselves, before we all settle down to a new year of trading profitably. There are more doom and gloomsters at large than bulls like me. And no wonder with PE’s high and the Footsie breaking new records. But there are reasons for the long-running buying spree and to always worry about a crash is not to take advantage of an established trend.

I have no previous notes on Dixons Retailing (DXNS): it seems it has never appealed to me enough to investigate it as an investment: unsurprisingly to judge from recent annual margins. Even so, I decided to take a look at this potentially speculative play and can see why some might decide to take the gamble on this stock.