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Even a few of our detractors have now come around
Hello, Share Scrumpers. As Uncle Tom kindly reminds you from time to time, I’m of a great age. This leaves me prone to a few minor health issues that require small-time surgery. But I have to endure discomfort until the covid-ravaged waiting lists at my local hospital push me to the top. But what has this to do with buying and selling shares?
Hello, Share Diggers. People like us who invest in shares are a fortunate minority. It’s likely that most folks reading this will have done well out of our pastime year by year. Even at times when the Footsie stumbles, we should, by acting on experience and instinct, beat the market. For example, buying shares in Covid-linked medical companies will have cancelled out the pandemic losses we’ve suffered in oilers and banks.
Hello, Share Shapers. So the UK economy shrunk by 2.6% in November. As England was put into lockdown for the second time and Wales and Scotland were also restricted, I believe most of us expected a bigger drop than that. The effect on most shares should be an upward thrust if that’s the best the Covid response can do to our GDP.
Hello, Share Seekers. If you’re reading this you’re a shareholder with disposable income. And if you’ve been following tips on the winter wonderland we call shareprophets.com. you may be a bit wealthy by now. Now, as a person of means, you have a responsibility to be generous with your dough and kind in your actions. That’s the Christmas spirit, right?
Hello Share Tackers. As my more talented colleague Chris Bailey sometimes says: companies doing boring things should not be excluded from our bargain hunts. They are often more successful than firms which do exciting stuff. Volex (VLX) is a company that makes wire. Prosaic, don’t you think?…
Hello Share Trudgers. In one branch of a varied career, I’ve been a medical journalist. And that allowed me to share a few TV appearances with Professor John Oxford. He’s one of Britain’s top experts on flu viruses. John is now chair of the advisory board of Open Orphan (ORPH) the pharma which has the business sense to sponsor Tom’s excellent free podcasts. And the professor has some observations about the coronavirus outbreak.
Hello Share Peekers. A Footsie jumbo which I have shares in, but rarely write about, is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).To give you an idea of its size, it’s the fourth biggest outfit in the Footsie. And while it's true the big fish can flounder, like the former British Energy, for example, we can hope for a measure of security not inherent in smaller companies.
Hello Share Pushers. Another week's gone by. Another seven days in a very long, but rather slow bull market. Actually, the Footsie's performance recently has been poor, so should we see that as a sign of a ne w bear market? Must we change at least a few of our shares into cash? I would say ' yes' for the following reasons.
Hello Share Smudgers. Companies which manufacture plastic bits and pieces have done rather well in my bag in recent years. But one I have not so far touched, yet ought to do so soon, is Carclo (CAR).
Hello Share Screamers. We all know that investing in medical pioneers is a risky area. I’m still smarting from my losses with Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) whose woes are under constant critical surveillance by Uncle Tom. But I believe that all share players have a bit of a duty to support selected medical pioneers. Think how much real suffering you will alleviate if the products being tried really do come off.
Hello Share Tumblers. Uncle Tom has had Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) under his gimlet eye for some time now. A few months ago, after a particularly worrying piece, I sold all this family’s holding for a stonking loss.
Hello Share Rattlers. Quite a few of my friends face a grim Christmas. They are undergoing radio and chemo treatment for cancer. Is it me, or is the number of cases growing even faster than normal?
Hello Share Tootlers. It's quite a bit since I last suggested you might do some further research on Assura (AGR). Since then the company has found another £300 million from investors.
Hello Share Shiners. The decaying share value of Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) after and during inquiries by Uncle Tom will have left a fair few of us nursing losses. My own shortfall after selling my shares is not to be sniffed at.
Hello Share Mongers. About two years ago I suggested you take a look at Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO). I was glad I did as I seem to recall that the shares rose from about 3p at the time to around 18p.
Hello Share Scrapers. The Dow continues to fall. The days when it topped 18500 seem long gone. Happily, the progress of America’s big indicator no longer seems to influence British shares very much. Perhaps it’s because the Brexit vote has given us more of an independent status in the eyes of big investors.
Hello Share Squaddies. May I bring to your attention another medical outfit which has a very encouraging market to have a go at. The firm is Concepta (CPT) and it has produced something it calls MyLotus. These are clever devices which test fertility in women, as well as being an indicator of pregnancy.
Hello Share Smackers. If there is one sector which can be truly called defensive, it is the giant pharma world. Big drugs companies supply something that no-one in his or her right mind would give up - release from pain and suffering. So even when times are hard, medical giants will continue to make money.
Hello Share Funsters. I don’t like investing in the motor industry because I think we should all do more walking, I hate air pollution and don’t really like driving. But this should not stop my bringing to your attention companies in this line which I think might make you some money. Though you must always do your own research as I could be - and often am - wrong.
